Rates increase of 4.4 percent projected in 2012-13 year

21 May 2012

Waipa District Council will be asked to approve an estimated rates increase of 4.4 percent for the 2012/13 year following three days of hearings to confirm its 10-Year Plan 2012-22.

This is 0.58 percent less than signalled in the draft.

While the figures are still to be finalised, there is expected to be little change.

The council's Strategic Planning and Policy Committee considered 529 submissions and requests for works or grants totalling more than $5 million.

Of those there were 60 verbal submissions heard over two days.

Mayor Alan Livingston said there had been a strong focus on affordability and sustainability when the plan was drafted and councillors were extremely mindful of this during deliberations.

The feedback from a large and diverse cross section of our community was greatly appreciated and council gave them all thorough consideration.

There is a fine balance between meeting all expectations and keeping rate increases to a acceptable level, he said.

The committee will also recommend the council proceed with several projects including:

A change in the way the council charges for metered water;

Further consultation on the development of a covered pool complex in Cambridge. As outlined in the draft 10-Year Plan, the project was moved out two years to allow consultation to take place as fundraising levels were not able to be achieved by the April 30 deadline;

A new Te Awamutu library in 2014/15;

Providing $1.6 million towards a new Te Awamutu museum in 2015/16;

The establishment of a $70,000 Heritage fund,

$11.8 million for work to connect the interchange of the Waikato Expressway with central Cambridge in 2016/17, and;

A reduced limit on borrowing to fit with servicing costs amounting to no more than 10 percent of revenue from rates, and fees and charges.

The committee also further endorsed the proposed financial strategy and rating limits.

The council will be asked to adopt the recommendations at its June meeting.

ENDS

For further information contact

Lisa Nairne

Senior Communications Advisor

Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760