Are you wondering why ‘9 year plan’ has started cropping up in your media feeds?

You probably know that the plan is part of the local government democratic process, but if you’re not 100% clear about what it has to do with you - read on, intrepid democracy sleuth! 

What is it?

To start with, the 9 year plan (9YP) is usually a 10 year plan (10YP). Did we say it’s also sometimes called a Long-Term Plan? And that it’s reviewed every three years?  Now that you have that clear in your mind…

The process, required information, and consultative procedures for 10YPs are covered by the Local Government Act 2002

A 10YP outlines the services and activities the DCC will provide, the projects that will be carried out, and the levels of service the public can expect. It includes the information about how much this will cost, how it will be paid, and how this affects rates and council debt levels.

Communities are invited to provide feedback and submissions about the proposed plan.

Why is it nine years this time?

By September 2023 work on the 2024 10YP was already well underway, but the change of government that year meant significant changes in the proposed funding structures for 3 Waters services and infrastructure.

Three Waters (stormwater, wastewater, drinking water) are a large part of council budgets (about 30% in Ōtepoti). In order to give local authorities time to re-work budget forecasts based on a new funding landscape, they could opt to postpone their usual 10YP for one year.

Dunedin City Council voted to adopt this postponement and hence we have a 9 year plan in 2025.

When do I get a say?

The 9YP is made public and you can send in your feedback between 31 March – 30 April. This can be done formally online or in writing. You can also apply to present a submission to Council in person. If you secure a speaking slot, the dates 6 – 9 May are set aside for members of the public to present their feedback to Council.

Once the deadline is closed and speakers have presented, all the responses are collated and sent to the relevant DCC teams for comment. These are then compiled into a report that goes to Council for the formal deliberations.

What can I say?

Sometimes there are specific questions you can respond to, other times the plan just sets out the general outline of what projects and activities the DCC plans to continue with.

You can send in feedback about whatever you wish, whether there is a specific question or not. Feel free to let DCC know what you like as well as what you don’t like!

Finally, please remember that anything that you write will be read by real people: a little politeness goes a long way.

When does the 9YP get decided upon?

Council meets to finally discuss and decide how and what will be funded in the week beginning 26 May (the ‘deliberations’). Decisions made here set the major budget allocations and overall workstreams for the next nine years.

After a final audit by the Auditor-General's office, the 9YP is formally adopted on 30 June and comes into effect on July 1st DCC teams and groups then get work to implement what Council decided upon.  

Then…

The next 10-year-plan review cycle will take place in 2027!

I want more information!

From 31 March, the consultation document and detailed information will be available online, in DCC libraries, and at a public Drop-In Centre (likely to be in the Civic Centre).

Further opportunities to learn about and engage with the 9YP process will be advertised on social media, the DCC website, radio, in the ODT and The Star.