Vote for Dave Stewart for Whakatāne / Ōhope Ward
Vote for Dave Stewart for Whakatāne / Ōhope Ward
1/. What makes me the best person to represent the Whakatāne / Ōhope ward?
You can’t keep politics out of politics, and I bring a lifetime of real-world political action, understanding and advocacy to the council table.
2/. What is the biggest challenge facing the Whakatāne / Ōhope ward and what would I do about it if elected?
Rising inflation and operating costs, infrastructure deficits, climate change adaptation, and the need for more funding and stronger financial management. An area of extreme concern is the cost to ratepayers of endless new regulations and responsibilities imposed by central government without adequate funding. For example, we face a 3 waters bill in the hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars thanks to shortsighted political thinking and we need to find a better way of doing that.
3/. Do I think the council needs to do more than it does now to reduce rates? If so, how would I do this?
Rates reform is coming and I want my key topics on the table:
- Return the GST collected on rates back to ratepayers (in Whakatāne that is over $9 million),
- Sharing 50% of the GST on new builds with councils who provide the infrastructure,
- Making rates payable on government buildings that use ratepayer funded services.
We need new tools to fix the broken rates funding model.
4/. What do I consider to be the core functions of council?
To enable democratic decision making and promoting well-being in our communities. This includes managing infrastructure and roads and water, providing services like waste collection and libraries, and regulating activities like building and resource use. They also focus on social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being, working to ensure a sustainable and thriving future for their communities.
5/. Do I think the council needs to improve Whakatāne town’s sports and arts facilities?
Absolutely. Sports and arts are community activities essential for building relationships and community well being. Our children and grandchildren shouldn’t miss out because we have enjoyed artificially low rates for decades by kicking the can down the road. We need to be reminded that the Rex Morpeth Park redevelopment in 2015 was just $10.5 million but was delayed to ‘save money’.
