Additional Playgrounds
What we're proposing to reduce
To keep costs down, we’re proposing that we limit new playgrounds to the planned, new playgrounds in Matamata and Te Aroha.
When we’re planning ahead we generally look at the whole community and try to make sure that everyone has access to a playground within a 10-15 minute walk. Playgrounds are important for many reasons – they encourage active, healthy communities, they help develop cognitive and physical skills, and they are often a social hub in communities. We have invested quite a bit in play over recent years – most notably at Thomas Park and Davies Park in Morrinsville, and the current Matamata Domain redevelopment.
Why are we proposing to reduce funding for this?
When we consulted on our last Long Term Plan, there was a strong demand from the community to invest in play. So we committed to a significant new/upgraded playground in all three towns, as well as new neighbourhood playgrounds to support growth and playground improvements (on top of maintenance and renewals of existing playgrounds).
Since then, we have developed two new major playgrounds in Morrinsville and are well underway on a community-led playground project in Matamata. Because funding is committed and work is already underway on the Matamata playground project, we consider this a MUST do project. We also think we SHOULD continue with the plan to develop a new playground in Te Aroha because we’ve invested in play in the other towns, and a great playground would complement the tourism offerings of the town.
To keep costs down, we’re proposing that we limit new playgrounds to these major play projects. We would continue to maintain and renew existing play equipment, but wouldn’t build new playgrounds as our towns grow or make improvements to existing playgrounds – for example, we wouldn’t be able to build playgrounds in new residential areas off Tower Rd and Mangawhero Rd in Matamata or add additional equipment to existing playgrounds.
Limit playground improvements to the planned new playgrounds for Matamata and Te Aroha
To keep costs down, we’re proposing that we limit new playgrounds to the planned, new playgrounds in Matamata and Te Aroha (one per town):
• Matamata - $1.5m in 2024/25
• Te Aroha - $1.5m in 2026/27
We would continue to maintain and renew existing play equipment ($54,000 per year), but wouldn’t build new playgrounds as our towns grow or make improvements to existing playgrounds
Standard of service this would provide:
New/enhanced playgrounds in Matamata and Te Aroha.
Impact on debt:
$3.07m from completion in 2026/27.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$500,000 from completion in 2026/27.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$20.44 from completion in 2026/27.
$4.4 million over 10 years to provide spaces for the community to play and connect
Council included $4.4 million over 10 years to provide spaces for the community to play and connect. Of those projects not yet started, this included:
• Destination playgrounds in Matamata, and Te Aroha were planned for 2025/26 $1m, and 2026/27 $1m.
• Additional playgrounds for Matamata to cater to growth $100,000 in 2022/23, and $200,000 in 2023/24.
• Additional playgrounds to cater for growth $240,000 between 2027/28 and 2029/30
• Playground improvements $20,000 per year over 10 years
• Playground renewals $45,000 per year over 10 years
Standard of service this would provide:
Significant improvement to existing playgrounds.
Impact on debt:
$2.6m after 10 years.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$472,000 after 10 years.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$19.26 after 10 years.
Cut costs further by deferring the Te Aroha playground
Times are tight financially, and Te Aroha isn’t growing as rapidly as Matamata and Morrinsville.
If the community no longer sees play as a priority we could defer the new Te Aroha playground until the next Long Term Plan (i.e. 2028/29) to reduce the financial burden right now.
Standard of service this would provide:
Improvement to the existing services in Matamata, and keeping the service the same in Te Aroha and Morrinsville.
Impact on debt:
$1.5m from completion in 2024/25.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$245,000 from completion in 2024/25.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$10.01 from completion in 2026/27.
Other projects we're proposing to reduce
Roading Renewals
We’re proposing to spread out our road pavement renewal programme over a longer period. We would closely monitor the quality of the road network, and prioritise work to try and keep the roads to the current standard.
Walking & cycling improvements
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling.
Town centres infrastructure
We’re proposing to prioritise maintaining and renewing the existing infrastructure over doing any major upgrades.
Stage for Matamata Civic Centre
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we remove this project from our work programme and maintain the level of service we currently provide.
Te Aroha Spa
We are proposing to continue to explore options to help Te Aroha capitalise on its rich spa history and thrive as a tourist destination.
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