Third term target for Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen

Monday, 13 January 2025

Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen says with the elections being some time off, his re-election is not a current focus for him.

Timaru District’s mayor has confirmed plans to seek a third term in office but says other issues are his priority early in 2025.

Nigel Bowen said, with the elections being some time off, issues such as the Long Term Plan, water reform and the economy had priority.

“My focus is on delivering the Long Term Plan and the priorities that have come from that and supporting the chief executive (Nigel Trainor) to deliver on our agreed priorities,” Bowen said.

Nigel Bowen says all councils need to decide on what structure will deliver water and provide a water delivery plan by September next year.

“Roles like these are a privilege and I committed to a minimum of three terms so the district could have consistent leadership through an intense time of regulatory reform across water and the RMA (Resource Management Act).”

Bowen said his key hopes for 2025 revolved around the economy.

“With the dairy price increasing last year and the start of OCR cuts, I am optimistic that these positive signals will strengthen other sectors and help restore much-needed business confidence.

“The council also has an obligation to proactively deliver our capital works to support economic activity.”

He said all councils needed to decide on what structure would deliver water and provide a water delivery plan by September next year.

“Tied to this is the Claremont Treatment Plant upgrades. Both the structure for water and this latter project are the key deliverables this council needs to concentrate on.

Nigel Bowen says the Timaru District Council’s revenue and rates review are a focus for the next two years leading into the Long Term Plan.

“With building control and water reform, there is an opportunity to be more collaborative with our neighbouring councils.

“We work together on some things well; however, there is no point for a combined population of around 65,000 to have three building control authorities.”

Bowen said ratepayers would have noticed the council had started to deliver some of its park services in-house.

“This hasn’t occurred since 1993.

“The drive to deliver more services in-house is about both level of service commitments with the community and being more efficient with the ratepayers' dollar.

“There has been a focus on consultants in the last few years; however, our contractor costs are the largest single cost to the council and where we will continue to make changes.”

He said the council’s revenue and rates review were also a focus for the next two years leading into the Long Term Plan.

“The way we rate and the equity of the current system hasn’t been reviewed for some decades.

“Starting the build phase of the Theatre [Royal] and the [Aorangi] Stadium will also be a strong focus for the council so these projects can be delivered in the 2026-2027 time frame.”

Mayors of Waimate and Mackenzie districts were also approached.