Better Off Funding

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The government reform of 3 Waters is progressing with the new structures operational on 1 July 2024. In recognition of the significance to the local government sector (and the communities they serve) of this reform, the government has made significant funding into the future for local government with a focus on community wellbeing.

The funding has been made available in two parts through the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Applications for the first part closed on 30 September 2022. For Tararua this grant amount was $3.8 million. The Council application had to meet some or all of the following criteria:

  1. Supporting communities to transition to a sustainable and low-emissions economy;
  2. Delivery of infrastructure and/or services that enable housing development and growth;
  3. Delivery of infrastructure that support improvements in community well-being.

Projects applied for had to support one or more of these criteria. Funding proposals had to also be for:

  • new initiatives/projects; and/or
  • to accelerate, scale-up and/or enhance the quality of planned investment.

A template provided by DIA required each of the possible projects to be assessed against the four wellbeing's, as well as a requirement to consult with iwi on project selection. Projects had to be completed by June 2027.

After considering many possible projects Council included a range of projects to satisfy the above criteria. Council received approval for these projects from DIA in December 2022. Since then the community and Council have experienced Cyclone Gabrielle, major cost of living increases and the start of an economic downturn. In light of current events Council intends to review the projects selected, in consultation with our Iwi partners, and the budgets assigned to them. There is some flexibility in the DIA funding to do this.

Note - The 2nd part of this government funding into the future for local government, with a focus on community wellbeing, is scheduled for 1 July 2024 and for Tararua has a maximum amount of $11.39 million. The process for accessing this funding, including the criteria, has yet to be released. Council will likely consider these details and the selection of possible projects during the 2023/24 year.

The government reform of 3 Waters is progressing with the new structures operational on 1 July 2024. In recognition of the significance to the local government sector (and the communities they serve) of this reform, the government has made significant funding into the future for local government with a focus on community wellbeing.

The funding has been made available in two parts through the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Applications for the first part closed on 30 September 2022. For Tararua this grant amount was $3.8 million. The Council application had to meet some or all of the following criteria:

  1. Supporting communities to transition to a sustainable and low-emissions economy;
  2. Delivery of infrastructure and/or services that enable housing development and growth;
  3. Delivery of infrastructure that support improvements in community well-being.

Projects applied for had to support one or more of these criteria. Funding proposals had to also be for:

  • new initiatives/projects; and/or
  • to accelerate, scale-up and/or enhance the quality of planned investment.

A template provided by DIA required each of the possible projects to be assessed against the four wellbeing's, as well as a requirement to consult with iwi on project selection. Projects had to be completed by June 2027.

After considering many possible projects Council included a range of projects to satisfy the above criteria. Council received approval for these projects from DIA in December 2022. Since then the community and Council have experienced Cyclone Gabrielle, major cost of living increases and the start of an economic downturn. In light of current events Council intends to review the projects selected, in consultation with our Iwi partners, and the budgets assigned to them. There is some flexibility in the DIA funding to do this.

Note - The 2nd part of this government funding into the future for local government, with a focus on community wellbeing, is scheduled for 1 July 2024 and for Tararua has a maximum amount of $11.39 million. The process for accessing this funding, including the criteria, has yet to be released. Council will likely consider these details and the selection of possible projects during the 2023/24 year.

Page published: 27 Apr 2023, 12:04 PM