We have signalled changes in the draft annual plan that will change the way we deliver services as we look to become more efficient through integrating some council services. The first proposal is our service centres, libraries and information centres. In Woodville we are proposing to integrate the isite where the services will continue to be provided by the new customer experience teams.

These teams will receive additional training to assist residents and visitors with queries and bookings. Much of the information and booking world is now digital and we have the technology to be able to help and make more efficient use of our buildings and staff resource. The second change will be in Dannevirke where the current Information Centre will no longer be funded as of 30 June, some of these services could potentially transfer into council.

Again, the way customers book and find information has significantly changed and the duplication of services such as photocopying can be carried out at our Service Centre/Libraries. When analysing the statistics of who uses the Dannevirke Information Centre, the majority are locals rather than tourists and visitors that it was initially designed to support.

Pahiatua Service Centres won’t see any change until a decision is made on the best location to provide the integrated services. Council staff will soon start exploring the best options and we will share this information, reasoning, and costings with you. Eketāhuna is running incredibly efficiently and operates seven days a week due to the amazing volunteers that support and promote the town.

Due to its proximity to Pūkaha Mt Bruce, it also enjoys the largest number of international and domestic visitors to the site. The Eketāhuna Campground also attracts a high number of visitors, with 5,740 recorded in 2023/2024 - significantly more than Dannevirke, which had 4,559. Bookings for all council facilities will be carried out through our service centres for consistency and ease of booking until our online booking system is due for completion later this year.

Digitisation will form part of our efficiencies and online dog registration is also in the pipeline, all externally funded. We know that some of these decisions are tough and may impact the way some staff will work, but we need to ensure that our service centres are running as efficiently and effectively as possible as costs are largely funded through our ratepayers.

The proposed changes are not about cutting services, but they will change how they are delivered. Change is the one thing that is constant, and it can be unsettling.

We are truly grateful to all those that have promoted our district and provided help to our visitors and residents, it has been much appreciated, and we have heard the hurt of change and loss.