Waipa District Council adopts 2013/14 Annual Plan

26 June 2013
The Waipa District Council yesterday voted to formally adopt the 2013/14 Annual Plan.

Under the Annual Plan the average rates revenue will increase by 2.8 per cent, well below the 4.7 per cent forecast in the 10 Year Plan.

Waipa District Mayor Alan Livingston said holding the average increase to 2.8 per cent was a significant achievement, and reflected savings achieved through operating efficiencies and the increased use of shared services.

To keep the average increase to 2.8 per cent is a pleasing result, given some of the financial headwinds we have encountered, Mr Livingston said.

For example we are facing increased depreciation costs on our infrastructure assets, we have an election to run later this year and we need to carry out a district revaluation. The value of these items alone could have resulted in an average rates increase of about 3.8 per cent.

The Council has also encountered additional costs through the strong growth taking place in Cambridge, which comes with a requirement to invest in infrastructure.

While this growth has resulted in additional costs to the Council, we will start to see a return on this investment in future years in the form of additional rates revenue, Mr Livingston said.

The 2.8 per cent increase reflects the average increase across the general and targeted rates. There will be some variation to this average for individual properties, for example where improvements have been undertaken. To check an individual property's rating requirement click here.

ENDS

For further information contact

Wayne Green

Manager Community Relationships

Ph: 07 872 0096 or 027 293 8679

Email: wayne.green@waipadc.govt.nz