Lower than expected rates rise proposed
8 March 2011
Waipa District Council has proposed a rates rise of 4.98 per cent instead of the 6.2 per cent which had been originally signalled in the 10-year plan.
The lower proposed increase reflects growth of just 0.5 per cent as opposed to 2.1 per cent which had been predicted for the 2011/12 year. It also recognises that revenue from development contributions has slowed significantly and that funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency has reduced by around a $1 million per year.
A number of measures have also been taken to reduce costs, including a restructure of the organisation in the 2010/2011 year. Projects like roading and water infrastructure work associated with subdivisions in Cambridge North and Picquet Hill in Te Awamutu have also been postponed in response to reduced growth.
Under the proposed plan, the average annual rates bill is estimated at $2007.26 (ex GST).
Key projects proposed for the 2011/12 year include a review of the District Plan, a review of the electoral system and representation arrangements, Joint Management Agreements with local iwi and a strategic water demand and conservation management plan.
There is also a proposal to consider a financial contribution towards the establishment of a Regional Tourism Organisation.
Waipa District Council chief executive Garry Dyet said the average cost to Waipa rateapayers for all the services provided by Council was around $5.50 per day (ex GST).
For that, ratepayers get services ranging from dog control to planning, halls, building control, recycling, museums, libraries and parks, pensioner housing, road maintenance, a water supply, sewage disposal and much much more. Given that many people pay around that much for just their household power bill, I think that's pretty good value for money, he said.
Saying that, I am conscious however that higher capital value properties will pay more than that.
The draft annual plan will be open for submissions from March 15 and will close on April 15. A copy of the plan, plus a summary of the plan, will be available from that time from all libraries and Council offices as well as from Council's website, www.waipadc.govt.nz/annualplan
A series of public meetings have also been arranged as below.
| EVENT | VENUE | DATE | TIME | Te Awamutu Grey Power Meeting | Pirongia Ward Consultative Committee Meeting | Pirongia Residents & Ratepayers Association Meeting | Kihikihi Residents & Ratepayers Meeting | Te Awamutu Community Board Meeting | Iwi Consultative Committee Meeting | Cambridge Grey Power Meeting | Cambridge Community Board Meeting |
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For more information, please contact:
Jeanette Tyrrell
Ph: 07 872 0097 or 027 293 8679
