Average rates rise of about 3pc likely

Th aquatic Centre won't be getting a sunshade.

The Rotorua District Council remains on target for a 3 per cent average rates increase for the coming financial year, after two days of Annual Plan hearings concluded yesterday.

The council received 138 public submissions to this year's draft Annual Plan, with 64 of those asking to be heard in person.

The Annual Plan sets budgets and priorities for the coming financial year.

This year's draft plan includes a 3 per cent overall rates increase, a reduction to the business rate differential from 2.1 to 1.9 per cent and $320,000 for a Kuirau Park and Aquatic Centre master plan.

Councillors decided to reinstate the Rotorua District Library bus service at a cost of $50,000, after initially leaving it out of this year's draft plan.

Discussions were also held about the possibility of introducing charges for those using the district's boat ramps. Councillors decided against it, saying it would be impractical to implement due to the number and location of ramps.

They also decided to hold off on a decision to build a large sun-shade over the main stand next to the 50m outdoor pool at the Aquatic Centre, preferring to wait until a master plan for the centre and Kuirau Park had been completed.

Three days had been set aside to deliberate on those submissions, but councillors finished the process by lunchtime yesterday.

The council will reconvene on June 27 to make any final changes to the plan before it becomes operative on July 1.