A council that caused a stink by using a poo emoji as part of a "give a shit" campaign designed to get people to vote at the local body elections has again delved into its public relations bag of tricks.
Mayor Neil Holdom says three years ago they had 4000 more submissions at the end of the long-term plan process, than they do now. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
This time New Plymouth is suggesting a lack of submissions on its draft long-term plan must mean ratepayers "are fine" about a decade of huge rates hikes and steep increases in fees and charges.
"If talking about council budgets bores you to death - then listen up," the media release begins brightly, before going on to point out the cost of dying is about to get far steeper in New Plymouth with burial plots going up 20 percent to $4200.
That's not the only nugget hidden among the hundreds of pages of council-speak it suggests either - entry to the Aquatic Centre in the city is about to jump 19 percent while pools in outlying towns by as much as 60 percent.
That's on top of a decade of rates hikes starting at 12 percent in the first year and 6 percent in each of the subsequent nine of the plan, which also proposes the dreaded introduction of water meters.
Mayor Neil Holdom makes no excuses for the shock tactics of suggesting ratepayers are happy about all this.
"So we had about 5000 submissions by the end of the process three years ago and at the moment we are looking at about 1000.
"And we thought because of the nature of the issues, the water, the environment and sort of paying things forward for our children, we would've had a lot more engagement from the community."
Holdom acknowledged the campaign might annoy some people.
"Look I think there's risk in everything you do, but the reality is we've got this really good process.
"We've gone out, we're visiting people, advertising, putting things in the paper, going on radio and now's the time to speak up."
Murray Chong was the only councillor to vote against the draft plan.
He said people were not "fine" with what was proposed.
"That's not what I'm hearing out there. I'm hearing a lot of discontent. That 12 percent is sort of four or five times inflation if not more.
"I think there is a lack of submissions, but that's just because they know that they'll be wasting their time."
Councillor Murray Chong says residents will be disappointed with the publicity stunt. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Chong said the tongue-in-cheek approach of the publicity was tone deaf.
"I think it will just set another precedent that people have basically got the idea that council is not listening to them. Yeah, I think they'll be pretty disappointed really."
AUT public relations head Averill Gordon thought the media release was odd too and could backfire.
"Because the council could stop being taken seriously if instead it's just putting jokes out there and I think by the time you get to the real point probably the reader has lost interest," Dr Gordon said.
"You know I can sympathise with the council for trying to get attention, but perhaps that putting what they want people to do at the very end may not be the best way for this to work."
Locals were quick to point out they were not "fine" with a 12 percent rate rise.
"You'd be stupid to agree with that," said Pam, "No way! You know they take enough of our money."
John was not impressed at the suggestion either.
"No, because the rates keep going up and up and up and my income doesn't go up and up at all.
"So no. I think the council gets carried away and thinks we can just keep on paying."
Entrance fees at Todd Aquatic Centre are set to go up by about 19 percent. Photo: Supplied / New Plymouth District Council
Heather thought rural residents of the district would be horrified at the idea they were fine with a decade of rates rises.
"Definitely not. We pay for our own rubbish to be collected, pay for our own water. We've got no footpaths, we've got no street lighting, so no."
But the council's strategy had at least got some people thinking about making a submission.
"I sure will be. Not a problem there kiddo," Pam said.
Alan reckoned he'd better put pen to paper.
"I probably need to dust off my advocacy and get back to making a few more submissions."
John was thinking about it.
"It depends on how much time I've got and ... well yeah I should make a submission I guess, yeah you're quite right."
Submissions on the draft 10-year plan close on 6 April and can be made via the New Plymouth District Council website.
You even go in the draw to win a share of $2000 in grocery vouchers.