THE South Taranaki District Council (STDC) released its proposed 2010/11 Annual Plan for public consultation at last week's council meeting, containing a proposed rate increase of 5.1%.
The plan proposes a combined General/Roading Rate and Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC) increase of 5.1%, which is less than the 6.1% increase projected in the Council's 2009-19 Ten Year Plan.
Targeted rates are also set to increase, to pay for the huge amount of work, approximately $40 million, which has gone into the district's water and wastewater facilities.
These upgrades include: a new clarifier at Opunake ($500,000 approx), new intake and pipeline at Kapuni ($2.8 million), four new reservoirs (two at Kapuni, one at Eltham and Inaha - $6.2 million approx), new water treatment plant at Kapuni ($13.1 million), replacement of main water pipes across the district ($3 million approx), water meters and backflow preventers on Waimate West and Inaha schemes ($2.2 million), Kapuni production bore ($1.3 million), new Patea Water Treatment Plant to be built 2010/11, upgrades to most of the district's seven wastewater treatment plants (e.g. Manaia $992,000, Patea and Waverley $600,000), upgrade of the western sewer pipeline in Hawera ($1.6 million) and construction of the wastewater pipeline between Eltham and Hawera, including plant upgrades($5.5 million approx).
South Taranaki District Mayor, Ross Dunlop, said the proposed plan tries to strike the right balance between keeping rates as low as practical while continuing to invest in the district's core water and wastewater infrastructure.
STDC Chief Executive, Craig Stevenson said as well as general inflation, the council faces rising costs for energy, long term maintenance contracts for greenspace, water, wastewater and waste management services, increased transportation, depreciation and higher financing costs for loans.
"Our energy costs are projected to increase by 20% next year alone," says Mr Stevenson. "And that is not because we are using more energy," he said.
To achieve the reduced General/Roading and UAGC rates the council is proposing some changes to current services. One proposal suggests closing some facilities and others suggest a change to operating hours.
"The council has presented some ideas to reduce the General and UAGC rates," said Mr Dunlop.
"They are only proposals at this stage and we are very keen to hear what the public think about them. Some of these proposals will create a lot of interest in the community. We have put them forward to keep rates down. If proposals are rejected, following public consultation, and no further suggestions for savings are made, then rates will have to increase," he said.
"South Taranaki is by nature a high cost district to run. Despite having a relatively small base of approximately 14,000 ratepayers we have a huge geographical area to cover with seven distinct communities – and each community expects to have their own services," said Mr Dunlop.
"For example, in our district alone, the council owns and operates seven libraries, nine town halls, seven swimming pools and seven transfer stations. It all adds up," he said.
The proposals in the 2010/11 draft Annual Plan are available for comment from Thursday, April 15 until 4pm, Monday, May 17.
Full copies, or summary copies of the annual plan proposal can be found at all Council LibraryPlus centres, the council's Administration Building in Hawera, on the council website www.stdc.co.nz , or you can call council on (06) 278 0555 or toll free 0800 111 323 and copies will be mailed to you.
Public meetings are also being held at 7pm in each of the district's four Wards: Thursday, April 29, Town Hall, Manaia; Monday May 3, Sandford Events Centre, Opunake; Tuesday 4 May, Council Administration Building, Albion St, Hawera; Wednesday May 5, Town Hall, Kaponga and Thursday May 6, Waverley Community Centre.
STDC rates may increase to fund water and wastewater infrastructure
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