KEY POINTS:
North Shore City Council is putting expensive projects on a slower track so rates will not have to rise to cover new loan repayments.
The council is set to approve an overall average 5.9 per cent rates rise for 2008-09, which means a bill of $1813 for the
average home.
Chief financial officer Dale Lott said all important capital works projects would go ahead, though this week's budget trim by councillors added up to $2.8 million.
They were responding to updated estimates on how much work could be achieved on the projects in the new financial year.
"As soon as the design is finished and resource consents obtained, we will be heading into construction of the projects," said Mr Lott. "Where it is evident that we cannot do the work, we have pushed the projects back."
Reconstruction of Lake Rd from Esmonde Rd to Jutland Rd was to have $1 million spent on it this year for preparatory work, followed by widening.
The project stays in the programme but work awaits the review of the cycleway strategy in August.
Councillor Ken McKay said that should resolve the argument over whether the road should have a cycleway on each side or one of them off the road.
About $500,000 of spending on the Anzac St bus/cycle lane project will be deferred. The council trimmed $465,000 by removing from the annual plan a footbridge which had been part of the Esmonde Rd revamp.
Councillor Chris Darby protested. He said it was part of the walkway to Takapuna from the Akoranga bus station and separated pedestrians from an arterial road where motorist sped at 70km/h.
A controversial proposal for a $2 million footbridge near the Milford Marina is no longer a priority for this year and only $500,000 is provided for preparatory work.
A plan to spend $1.3 million on the $3 million upgrade of the Takapuna bus station has been reduced to $100,000 for this year to improve shelter for bus patrons.
"There is going to be a considerable redevelopment in central Takapuna and we could be putting this a year or two ahead of itself," said Mayor Andrew Williams.
The council is putting making an extra $100,000 to help community groups cover the costs of paying developer contributions on their building extensions.