Waipā seeks fees feedback

Waipā District Council has called on residents to get involved and submit comment on its draft proposal of Fees and Charges for 2022/23.

The four-week consultation period opens on Monday 7 March with submissions able to be lodged until 5pm, Friday 8 April 2022.

Submissions can be made online, via email or through a hard copy submission delivered to Council offices or libraries in Cambridge and Te Awamutu.

“For 2022/23, many of the fees remain unchanged, and only a very few have increased by more than the current rate of inflation. These are in the areas of Building Control, Cemeteries, and Kerbside Recycling,” Waipā Strategy Manager Downey said.

New fees are also proposed to be introduced for dog control, building control and utility access requirements.

Downey said residents will note hire fees for the Cambridge Town Hall have also been removed due to the hall now being administered by Cambridge Town Hall Trust rather than by Council.

Hearings and deliberations are scheduled to take place on 3 May 2022, with the Council meeting to adopt the new Fees and Charges to be held on 31 May 2022.

The fees and charges are applicable for the 2022/23 year, commencing on 1 July 2022.

Fees and Charges are reviewed and updated annually as part of the Annual Plan and Long Term Plan processes.

When setting fees and charges, a number of factors are considered including indirect benefit to the community, distribution of benefits, and ability to pay, Downey said.

More information about fees and charges and submission forms will be available on the Council website at www.waipadc.govt.nz/haveyoursay.This information includes the full Schedule of Fees and Charges 2022/23 and the Statement of Proposal which provides the reasons for the changes.