As you read the information on this website you may come across abbreviations or terminology whose meanings you are unsure of. Hopefully we be able to explain them below, however if we have missed anything, please don’t hesitate to email us and let us know.

WHAT IS AN ANNUAL PLAN?
An annual plan is the Council's budget for one financial year. It explains how the Council intends to finance the activities and services it provides during that year as directed by its long term plan. It focuses on the adjustments the Council needs to make in light of the previous year's financial performance, updated financial figures, cost increases and inflation.
An annual plan supports the Council's long term plan by providing integrated decision making and coordination of the Council's resources. The long term plan is produced every three years. No Annual Plan is produced in the years when the long term plan is produced.
An annual plan cannot be used to change the long term plan, to introduce new activities or to significantly increase or decrease levels of service.
The Council is required by the Local Government Act 2002 to produce an annual plan and consult with its community before finalising the document.
Click here to view the WDC Annual Plan

WHAT IS AN ANNUAL REPORT?
The Annual Report sets out what the Waikato District Council did in the past year, why we did those things, how much they cost, and how we paid for them.  This report shows how the Waikato District Council is delivering on the promises made to our community – promises made after asking Waikato residents what they want for their region as part of our longterm planning process.  The report shows the Council’s overall financial position and performance as measured by its achievement against its financial Key Performance Indicators.
Click here to view the WDC Annual Report

WHAT IS THE LTCCP?
LTCCP stands for 'Long-Term Council Community Plan'. The LTCCP is a 10 year plan that sets the long term strategic direction for local authorities (Councils) in New Zealand. The LTCCP describes how a Council will fulfil its responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2002, under the Local Government Act 2002, what Council does and sets out a plan for decision-making and co-ordination of Council's resources. It provides a long-term focus for the decisions and activities of Council.
The LTCCP is produced every 3 years (An Annual Plan is produced in years 2 & 3 of the cycle) and details all of the Council's activities, and how these activities contribute to Community Outcomes. It describes the Council's budget, explaining what the Council plans to spend over the next ten years and shows how Council plans to manage its assets over the ten year period based on each activity’s Asset or Activity Management Plan.
Councils consult widely with their community when developing the LTCCP. It is the main opportunity for local people to have their say in local decision-making. The plan is given direction by what the community thinks is important, as described by the Community Outcomes. Once adopted, the LTCCP can be changed only after appropriate consultation with the community.
Click here to view an introduction from WDC on their LTCCP and here for access to view the full WDC LTCCP.

WHAT IS FUTURE PROOF?
It is estimated that there will be nearly half a million people living in Hamilton and the surrounding Waikato and Waipa districts by 2061. That means our population will almost double in the next fifty years. It is important that we know our future by planning today. We must work together now on the complex issues - future urban and rural land use, transport, natural and cultural resources, roads and essential infrastructure - and come up with a plan for our region to grow well and make the most of sharing its resources, so we have a quality of life we can all enjoy.
Future Proof is that plan. It is a growth strategy specific to the Hamilton, Waipa, and Waikato sub-region and has been developed jointly by Hamilton City Council, Environment Waikato, and Waipa and Waikato District Councils. Other key organisations and groups involved in the project include Tangata Whenua, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and Matamata-Piako District Council.
Click here to read more about Future Proof and click here view the Future Proof Growth Strategy

WHAT IS THE WDC DISTRICT GROWTH STRATEGY?
The proposed doubling of the Waikato District’s population over the next 50 years has necessitated the development of a district wide growth strategy. The strategy identifies four key issues that will influence population and economic growth in the district which are:
•  The increasing growth pressure from outside the district
•  Continued improvements to transport corridors
•  The economic influence of the ‘Golden Triangle’ (Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga)
•  The strength of key national assets in the north-south corridor
Click here to view the WDC Growth Strategy

WHAT IS THE SOUTHERN LINKS STUDY?
Transit is undertaking the Southern Links project to consider and implement the long-term integrated transportation requirements of the growing area south of Hamilton. It aims is to develop an efficient group of routes linking SH1, from Kahikatea Drive in Hamilton City to Tamahere in the south; and SH3, from Lorne Street in Hamilton City to Hamilton International Airport. These State highway routes are to be integrated with major arterials within Peacocke's growth cell, which also link to southern rural fringes of Hamilton City within Waipa District. Further progress has been delayed awaiting findings of the Future Proof Strategy and the complimentary Hamilton Urban Growth Strategy and Waipa 2050 (growth strategy), although it is hoped this will be progressed around October 2010.
Click here to view the Southern Links project information thus far. 

WHAT IS THE SOUTHERN QUARDRANT STUDY?
The Southern Quardrant Study is a sub-regional integrated and collaborative study of the area to the south of Hamilton City (between Ruakura in the north, Mystery Creek Gully in the south, Matangi in the east and to the east of Temple View) to be undertaken by Environment Waikato, Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council and the NZ Transport Agency.  The best way to describe it is that it is like a Strategic High Level Structure Plan which falls underneath Future Proof, and its importance is due to the significant growth pressure being experienced by the Southern Sector. If you would like to read more please click on the following links:
Southern Sector Project Brief
Map of Southern Quadrant