1.8 per cent proposed average rates increase for next 10 years

Waipā District Council will meet tomorrow to consider a 1.8 per cent average annual rates increase over the next 10 years, starting with 4.1 per cent in 2021/2022.

A draft 2021-2031 Long Term Plan and consultation document have been prepared, and staff will seek approval from councillors at tomorrow’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee Meeting to kick off formal community consultation.

If approved, Council will propose a 10-year budget of $2 billion to run the district, which includes capital and operating costs. Just under half of the overall budget- $0.91 billion - will be funded by rates. The remainder will largely come from fees and charges, subsidies and contributions from developers which help pay for growth.

More than $126.8 million will be spent on growth projects (like water infrastructure and roads) to accommodate new people moving into Waipā. By 2027/2028 Waipā’s average debt will peak at $304 million, which is well within Council’s debt limit of total borrowings being no more than 250 per cent of total revenue.

Last year Council asked residents about their aspirations, priorities and needs for Waipā. They also interviewed local business people and organisations to find out their current and future goals for the district and how they fit with community wellbeing.

That feedback shaped the draft Long Term Plan and the projects, services, activities and programmes proposed for the next 10 years. It also identified five key issues Council will be seeking specific feedback on:

• Creating a recreational cycling route between Te Awamutu and Pirongia, via Lake Ngā Roto
• Developing an urban mobility network around Te Awamutu and Cambridge to better connect places like schools, shops and places of work for cyclists, pedestrians and scooter users
• Whether to implement the Lake Te Koo Utu Concept Plan in Cambridge
• Whether to implement the Memorial Park Concept Plan in Te Awamutu
• Options to develop a resource recovery centre to manage waste

Consultation opens on Friday 26 March and will close at 5pm on Tuesday, 27 April 2021. Meetings, events and other activities will take place across the district over this time to encourage as many residents as possible to have their say.

Following consultation, hearings will take place, Council will deliberate, and the final 2021-2031 Long Term Plan will go to Council for approval on 29 June 2021.

For more information about the draft Long Term Plan 2021-2031, go to our have your say page.