By Russ Rimmington. Chair of Waikato Regional Council. These views are his own.
Many organisations rely on the goodwill of others to keep operating. That’s the case for the Raglan Health Shuttle and most of the 25 or so community transport groups in the Waikato. They offer a lifeline, ensuring our ageing rural populations have a vital connection to services like health and education, where no other suitable public transport options exist.
But the sector is fragile. They told us during our long term plan consultation last year that funding is unreliable.
We couldn’t do anything to help address the issue at the time, but regional councillors did agree, with funding support from Trust Waikato, to recruit a dedicated regional coordinator to better support existing providers, encourage the formation of new community transport initiatives where there is community need and a lack of transport options, and partner with and work across multiple organisations to develop shared transport solutions.
We also agreed to investigate a regional grant funding framework.
was a no-brainer”, Russ Rimmington
So setting up a contestable $200,000 fund from 1 July 2022 was a no-brainer when it came before councillors at our annual plan budget setting meeting in February. It amounts to around $1 per property and will be charged by way of a uniform annual general charge.
I’m especially pleased that we’ve been able to do this within the threshold of the 7.9 per cent rates rise we signalled 12 months ago. Based on our proposed budget, the annual plan for 2022/23 will see total rates revenue of $121.9 million and a proposed increase from current ratepayers of 7.8 per cent.
There’s still some work to be done on the criteria for the fair allocation of the community transport fund, but I anticipate it will help with vehicle, technology and administration costs.
I’m proud of this council’s commitment to supporting community-based transport initiatives and I know this fund will make a tangible difference for people in this region. But we couldn’t have got to this point without our partnership with Community Waikato, Trust Waikato, Waikato DHB and others.
The Raglan District Community Vehicle Trust / Raglan Health Shuttle
Bookings made via at the Raglan Community House
45 Bow Street, Raglan 3225
Phone contact for bookings: 07 825 8142
Email: tjem.ryan@xtra.co.nz