A change to the way waste collections are paid for in the district is being proposed. Photo/File
A special rate to cover lost revenue at the museum and major plans to upgrade Rotorua's Civic Theatre are just two of five projects up for public consultation.
Rotorua Lakes Council's annual plan 2017/18 consultation document was released to the public this week , but Rotorua's largest ratepayer group says the council has lost sight of its priorities and needs to save money instead of spending on "frivolous projects and non-core business".
Consultation runs until May 12. Following submissions and hearings, the final annual plan will be adopted in June.
The consultation document features five "conversations" on what the council feels is its major priorities for the coming year and a "discussion" on the issue of short term rental accommodation in the district.
Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Association chairwoman Glenys Searancke said while it was a good the council was consulting the public about its annual plan this year, it should be done every year.
"I have my reservations, about most of the so-called conversations, if they had money to spend then no problems. But we have a lot of money that needs to be spent on core services such as sewerage and roading.
"While the museum has to be fixed as it's one of the best museums in the country, to think of spending money on skateboard parks, of up to $4 million, is just madness.
"I implore councillors to listen to what people are saying and don't have any preconceived attitudes," Mrs Searancke said.
In the consultation document, Mayor Steve Chadwick said there was far more in the proposed plan that was not included in the document, but the council would provide further information to the public about those plans.
"However, it is important to note that this document focuses on exceptions or changes to
year three of our long-term plan.
"During the past few years we've focused on matters that required urgent attention, including ensuring we have an efficient, effective, sustainable council organisation," she said.
Conversation #1 - East Rotoiti/Rotoma sewerage scheme
The council has committed through its long-term plan to a sewerage reticulation scheme at East Rotoiti/Rotoma with about 770 properties in the proposed service area.
The reticulated scheme would replace existing septic tanks and would treat sewage to very high quality before discharge to land.
Subsidies from lakes programme partners and government agencies will fund a large portion of the estimated cost of the proposed scheme, which at this stage is $34.5 million, $24.7 million of which would be covered by those subsidies.
The council would have to borrow $9.8 million to cover its share, but it has ongoing operational costs of about $1.4 million a year that the council wants all ratepayers in the district to cover, which works out at $37 a year for all ratepayers.
Conversation #2 - Waste management services
The council proposes to ensure that, where it can be done, everyone in the district will be able to receive the kerbside collection or equivalent service.
The council proposes the service be completely funded through a 100 per cent targeted rate.
The council's current funding policy is that waste management is funded 80 per cent through a targeted rate and 20 per cent through the general rate.
Properties in the urban and rural areas will be charged the same rate, but it does not allow anyone to "opt out" of the service.
The council also proposes to extend the district's kerbside waste collection and management service to 1400 more properties in rural areas.
This would introduce a targeted rate of $187.50 to these properties which they have not previously had.
Conversation #3 - Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre
The council wants to spend $6.5 million on earthquake strengthening and upgrading the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.
It would involve building works, complete earthquake strengthening and enhancement of buildings to attract local, national and international performances.
Modifications to the Concert Chamber would allow use of the spaces by community and
local performing arts groups in and around commercial productions and major public
ticketed events. The space would allow for seating for up to 250 people.
There would be redevelopment of the stage, providing a floor surface able to be used for
various types of performances. Dressing rooms, new bar facilities and bathrooms would be added.
There may also be the ability to create a permanent art gallery space within the foyer
to showcase local theatre and performing arts legends.
To undertake earthquake strengthening only would cost about $3 million.
Conversation #4 - Introducing a museum recovery targeted rate
Following the Kaikoura earthquake on November 14, damage was discovered in the historic portion of the Rotorua Museum.
The museum was closed to the public following assessments. To cover the shortfall the council proposes introducing a targeted rate - the museum
recovery rate - and if accepted every rateable property in Rotorua would be charged an
additional $14.20 per year.
The rate would be the same for everyone, regardless of property capital values, and would exist only for the time the museum was closed.
Conversation #5 - Proposed removal of community board targeted rate
Strong lobbying by the lakes community saw the establishment of the first community board for the district in 2007. The then council introduced a targeted rate to help towards governance support for the community board.
Since then other boards have been established, Te Tatau o Te Arawa and the Rural Community Board with both being funded through the general rate.
However, this has created inconsistency in the way the council's funding policy is applied to these boards.
The council proposes to apply 100 per cent funding for the Lakes Community Board into
the general rate which would remove the current targeted rate of $21.50 per
property for the lakes board.
Discussion - Short term rental accommodation
A recent increase in concerns relating to short term rental accommodation (such as
those promoted via website such as Book A Bach, Air BnB and HolidayHomes) in some areas of Rotorua has highlighted broader issues related to this increasing market, which provides short term rental accommodation for commercial gain.
Complaints and concerns have generally been related to noise, parking and behaviour and
these issues are dealt with as they arise. However, there also appears to be growing
concern in the community about the fairness of such properties making a commercial gain and not contributing accordingly through their rates.
The council wants to know if it's fair that houses can be run as a commercial venture but do not, unlike other types of accommodation such as hotels and motels, contribute extra for the services they use such as roading and footpaths, refuse, water and sewerage.
Annual plan timeline
Draft plan discussion document available online
Submissions close May 12
Submission hearings May 23 and 24
Annual plan deliberations June 6 and 7
Annual plan adopted June 29
Make a submission
Visit www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/letstalk or www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/koreromai.
Email your submission to info@rotorualc.nz.
Write or type your submission and free post or deliver it to the Rotorua Lakes Council.
Feedback is being accepted via Facebook or Twitter, but will not count as a formal submission.
Main consultation topics
East Rotoiti/Rotoma sewerage scheme
Waste management services
Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre
Rotorua Museum recovery targeted rate
Removal of community board targeted rate
Discussion topics
Short term rental accommodation issues
Capital project spending and debt
Proposed average rates increases
Urban residential
- Lower capital value/$178,000: +4.2 per cent
- Medium capital value/$211,000: +4.1 per cent
- Upper capital value/$308,000: +4 per cent
- Upper capital value/$500,000: +3.8 per cent
Rural residential
- Lower capital value/$204,000: +3.7 per cent
- Medium capital value/$445,000: +3.4 per cent
- Upper capital value/$1,590,000: +3.1 per cent
General farming:
- Lower capital value/$413,000: +4.5 per cent
- Medium capital value/$742,000: +3.9 per cent
- Upper capital value/$2,880,000: +3.1 per cent
Business:
- Lower capital value/$265,000: +3.1 per cent
- Medium capital value/$442,000: +2.8 per cent
- Upper capital value/$2,020,000: +2.3 per cent
Jetstar's first planes to Sydney and Gold Coast have taken off from Hamilton this week.