Top Issues Adrian Sole Will Address for NPDC

Adrian Sole would be stepping into a crucial role at the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC). As he prepares to take on this responsibility, many community members are eager to know what issues he plans to tackle first. With a focus on community engagement, smart future-focused investment decisions, revitalising our CBDs, and economic development, Adrian has a clear vision for the future of New Plymouth.

In this blog post, we will explore the top issues Adrian Sole will address as a councillor for your community. We will look at how these issues impact the community and what solutions Adrian proposes and would table to the Mayor and fellow Councillors.

Community Engagement

One of the primary issues Adrian Sole aims to address is community engagement. Many residents feel disconnected from local government decisions. Adrian believes fostering a strong relationship between the council and the community is essential, as ultimately, we represent you, your preferences, when he or any councillor votes!

Adrian plans to implement regular town hall meetings in person and virtually to improve engagement. These meetings will provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns and share their ideas. Additionally, he wants to introduce SMS/Text Surveys for all projects over a certain threshold, e.g. $5 million, to enable real-time feedback, and also a quarterly Net Promoter Score or NPS, a simple snapshot on how the community rates our overall performance every month!

By prioritising community engagement, Adrian hopes to create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and the council decisions/actions reflect their voice.

Smart Future-Focused Investments

Another critical issue on Adrian's agenda is the Long-term Plan or LTP, which has $900m of planned investment across hundreds of projects. You would expect a prudent council to invest in many areas, such as roading/footpaths, water/waste/storms, and major maintenance of infrastructure and spaces, which is the case.

Then you have future line items for proposed projects for new buildings, developments, area enhancements and many are concerned that we can't afford these now as many of the current or forecast projects were made when economic times were different, rate affordability was less of a concern, and we didn't have catastrophic project blowouts, resulting in tens of millions of non-budgeted expenses and causing unforecast rate increases.

So, I would advocate that we pause all projects, retest the need/scope of these projects, to enable reprioritisation, resizing or 'value engineering', or even stopping some of the hundreds of LTP projects based on what our community truly wants and can afford, while still managing growth and enhancing the lifestyle we love about our district!

To avoid future project blowouts, I would recommend that all Tier 1 & 2 projects (Typically anything over $5m or possibly less) require even more effective independent oversight with the ability for that panel to manage the project with the commercial scrutiny that a business would apply, starting with the scope being fit for purpose and identify what's missing and the trus cost to service it!

That includes contracts that are fixed price; if that isn't achievable in some cases, then clear and transparent reasons for increased costs within the contingency, if that can't be achieved, then we need to value engineer the project to make it fit the budget.

Economic Development

Economic development is also a top priority. New Plymouth has had a vibrant economy for the last 30 + years, largely underpinned by the incredibly valuable Oil & Gas industry, which unfortunately is now in decline. Adrian wants to attract new businesses to backfill that industry while supporting and energising existing ones.

To achieve this, he plans to create a business-friendly environment. This includes simplifying the process for new businesses to set up operations in our district. Adrian also wants to provide more resources and support for local entrepreneurs with more investment into Venture Taranaki, including a new dedicated arm to exclusively attract new large businesses/corporates, so we can compete with other regions that want the same thing!

By investing in local talent and empowering VT, Adrian believes New Plymouth can thrive again economically.

Infrastructure Improvement

Infrastructure is another area where there is room for improvement. As the population of New Plymouth grows (especially in suburbs like Bell Block), so does the need for more roads, safe commuting in all forms, public transport, and community facilities

Adrian plans to conduct a thorough assessment of the current infrastructure. This will help identify areas that need immediate attention, e.g., accelerating connecting roads, water/waste, and storm services through short-term underwriting of developments, not waiting for years for the developer to make these critical investments.

He aims to advocate for prioritising projects to enhance the quality and safety of life for residents, workers and visitors. For example, improving roading options can reduce traffic congestion and make it easier for everybody to get around. Adrian believes investing in proactive infrastructure is essential for the future of our district.

Rates Affordability

Rating affordability is a pressing issue in many communities, and New Plymouth is no exception. Adrian Sole recognises that many residents struggle to find affordable housing, let alone the cost of servicing rates, insurance and a mortgage. This is compounded by nearly double-digit rate increases, forcing some to sell their family homes or continue renting.

To address this issue, he advocates for the council to continue to use the 'balance accounting method' we currently use, but look at these three initiatives to keep rate increases in the range of 5 -7% or less to stop rate shocks while still investing in the areas needed.

1. Rating Review, to see if the current methodology is still the best way to fairly rate our district.

2. Spend Smarter, we can't keep going back to the community and asking for more and more money; we must stick to budgets, and also reward council offices when they don't spend it all. Budgets should not be treated as a target!

3. Operational Efficiencies, it's time to bring some services back in-house e.g. Traffic Management or TMS, some roading/footpaths and curbing, light construction/building & electrical and plumbing and possibly other areas. This is all for Business as Usual or BAU work, not for new projects or large upgrades.

Revitalise our Central Business Districts (CBDs)

Many cities invest in vitality in their CBDs and outer retail centres, and we should be no different, as it is a proven and prudent investment.

But what most won’t know about Adrian is that he has co-owned multiple successful hospitality businesses in Wellington and Auckland for the last 13 years, and it’s bloody tough to be a retailer of any sort. The last 5 years, we have had the perfect storm of COVID, recession and increased costs, all destroying the profitability and viability of our businesses. To compensate, we work ridiculous hours to keep the doors open and staff employed, but it’s exhausting, and you need help.

That’s why bringing vitality back to our CBD is so important — to attract locals and visitors alike, to spend time here, to shop, and to enjoy our great retail and hospitality. But let’s be clear: this isn’t easy. Any investment we make has to work, deliver real results, and strengthen our community.

So I have three initiatives that I would table to Council if I am elected.

1. Truly partner with the Chamber of Commerce to deliver initiatives that energise the CBD, boosting retail, hospitality, and tourism.

2. Create a vitality fund for the Main Street retailers managed by the Chamber of Commerce. This fund is $ for $ with a cap and agreed guidelines.

3. Future investments should be co-funded — and I’ll push for the council to work with developers and landlords to ensure we get the mix right and achieve real results and affordability for everyone.

Conclusion: A Vision for the Future

Adrian Sole has a clear vision for the future of the district. By addressing the key issues above, he aims to create a thriving community.

As he embarks on this journey, residents need to stay informed, engaged and heard. Together, they can work towards a brighter future for New Plymouth.

Adrian Sole in Bell Block with the stressed overbridge behind him.