Western Bay District councillors and mayor Ross Paterson will be hitting the road and seeking the ‘limelight' in their appropriately-named caravan later this month to talk to ratepayers about the draft Long Term Plan.

Up for discussion are a brand new library and service centre for Katikati, regional cycle ways and innovative funding solutions for key services and infrastructure.

Council caravan ‘limelight' will be easy to find.

Following last year's community road show ‘Portraits of Our Place', a clear message emerged that people want a more listening ear from councillors and greater one-on-one dialogue on issues of concern, says mayor Ross Paterson.

'So that's what we're doing,” he says. 'The councillors and I will travel around the district during April answering questions and providing information about our key LTP proposals.”

The group will travel to communities again in May to enable residents to personally present their views, on their home turf.

'We want to give residents and stakeholders as many opportunities as possible to share their views on what we are proposing over the next 10 years across the district, and how it will be paid for,” he adds.

'We hope the informality of these LTP meetings and the flexibility of venues will make them more convenient to attend and will encourage people to feel more comfortable about sitting down to talk with us in a relaxed setting.''

The draft Long Term Plan is approved by councillors this week for public consultation. The plan is reviewed by council every three years, and outlines what work council will do during the next 10 years, the reasons behind the work and what it will cost.

In the draft plan council is proposing a total rates rise for the district of 4.85 per cent for the coming financial year - less than last year's total increase of 4.96 per cent.

Key issues addressed in the draft plan are debt management and reduction, planning for the needs of an ageing population, limiting spending on capital projects and maintaining or increasing services provided to the community.

Council wants to change the way it rates for storm-water systems, and is discussing options for addressing storm-water issues – particularly at Waihi Beach.

The proposed options result from successful community engagement in 2014, and aim to balance the risk of flooding with the high cost of prevention work.

The Council is also seeking feedback on three options for Katikati's Library and Service Centre, including a proposal to bring forward the building of a new medium-sized facility in Talisman Drive.

Swimming pool rating is also on the list for change, with a proposal to alter the way the district's pools are funded.

The Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle Trail is a project council considers very important for the district.

It wants to invest in three cycle routes for the District, from Waihi to Waihi Beach, Omokoroa to Tauranga, and the Tauranga Eastern Link from Kaituna Road to Maketu and Paengaroa.

The Katikati Heritage Museum is also up for discussion, with three options for the community to consider. One option suggests ongoing support to fund the fit-out of the former fire station to house and display some of the museum's collection.

In the past two financial years, council has used rates income to help reduce growth-related debt, and plans to continue this and increase the amount from $1 million to $2.5 million to ensure debt is serviced.

Information on the draft LTP will be available from next Friday, March 27, in community newspapers across the district, at council libraries and service centres, and on council's website.

Following the road shows and after listening to community views, council will meet to make any changes as a result of feedback.

The final LTP will be adopted on Thursday, June 25, with the proposed work programme coming into effect on Wednesday, July 1 this year.

Dates for the community road shows are:

• Tuesday 7 April, 1pm – 4pm, Paengaroa Hall
• Wednesday 8 April, 5pm – 8pm, Omokoroa Settlers Hall
• Thursday 9 April, 7pm – 9pm, Te Puna Hall
• Saturday 11 April, 9am – 12 noon, ‘Moggies Market' Katikati
• Monday 13 April, 9am – 12 noon, Te Puke Post Office
• Tuesday 14 April, 9am – 12 noon, Pukehina Community Hall
• Tuesday 14 April, 3pm – 6pm, Maketu Fire Station
• Wednesday 15 April, 9am – 12 noon, Pongakawa Hall
• Thursday 16 April, 9am – 12 noon, Oropi Hall
• Saturday 18 April, 9am – 12 noon, Waihi Beach Church Hall