Waitomo District Council (WDC) has released its Annual Report for the financial year 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, a year dominated by a global pandemic and which Chief Executive Chris Ryan describes as “a year like no other”.

“The way in which the whole community responded to the challenge that COVID-19 forced upon us.  It has been a year like no other in our lifetimes. No-one could have predicted the impacts of the pandemic on the regional, national and global economy, on our livelihoods and way of life.

I am proud of the way WDC responded to the emergency. We worked alongside our community and key agencies to help lead a path through to recovery. Many Council services and facilities were directly affected by the lockdown. Some, like water supply, continued as essential services, while others, including our many community facilities, were forced to close their doors.”

For the financial year WDC reported a net surplus of $4.6 million, compared to a forecasted surplus of $5.1 million. Revenue was $2.3 million lower than forecast. In turn, expenditure was lower at $28.5 million (compared to the budget $30.3 million).

“Our capital works programme was interrupted by lockdown.  This work has been carried over and will be completed this financial year,” says Chris.

Chris added, “these delays contributed to less than forecast debt levels (from $40.3 million to $37.3 million). Other contributing factors were favourable interest rates, a lower opening debt position and the Game On Charitable Trust capital grant payment being deferred to this financial year.”

Inframax Construction Limited were also impacted by COVID-19, but despite this, have reported a net profit after tax of $0.8 million.

Some of the other non financial outcome for the year included: 93% of residents satisfied with our parks and reserves service, over 25km of local roads resealed and 51km re-metalled, WDC responded to 2985 service requests and the launch of WDC’s new website.

The full report and a summary version are available on WDC’s website and hard copies are available at the Waitomo District Library, Te Kuiti i-SITE and their office on Queen Street. Te Kuiti.