Waipa District Council supports regional rate in principle

26 August 2011

Waipa District Council is supporting the introduction of a regional rate for the proposed national cycling centre of excellence, subject to its submission being ratified at Tuesday's council meeting.

The proposal to support the regional rate was signalled at a workshop last week and timed to meet Waikato Regional Council's August 22 deadline for submissions.

Chief Executive Garry Dyet said the council had reconfirmed its support of using a regional rate to fund activities/services/facilities that were of regional significance and benefit.

Waipa District Council had previously indicated its preference for a single rate to fund the $7m sought from Waikato Regional Council by the Home of Cycling Trust.

This preference was signalled on the basis of a differential rating approach, where those areas closest to the proposed centre would be rated at a higher level commensurate with the resulting level of benefit. However, the Waikato Regional Council chose not to proceed to consultation with this as a funding option, he said.

Of the two rating options included in the Statement of Proposal, Waipa District Council supports the region-wide targeted rate (uniform charge) of $3.18 per annum. This option is supported on the basis that Waipa District ratepayers are not differentiated from other ratepayers in the Waikato Region.

ENDS

For further information contact

Lisa Nairne

Senior Communications Advisor

Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760

Email: lisa.nairne@waipadc.govt.nz