Council proposes 4.2% rates increase for 2015/16

Council has agreed to seek the community's views on a proposed rates increase of 4.2% for 2015/16 and a proposed average rates increase of 3.3% over the next 20 years.

This would mean an average rates increase of $2 a week, which is less than the cost of an average loaf of bread, says Mayor Ross Church.

"The proposed rates increase is considerably lower than we were looking at last year and it's a testament to the hard work of everyone involved that we have reached this point.

“I’m delighted to be able to present a balanced plan with affordable rates over the long term and Council is looking forward to asking the community for their views on it.”

Council will ratify these figures when it adopts the draft Long Term Plan (LTP) consultation document on 12 March.

Feedback on Council's 20 year financial strategy will be sought during consultation. The strategy aims to achieve a balance between carrying out Council’s normal work while doing some new things to help the district grow, keeping rates at an affordable level and minimising borrowings.

The LTP sets the strategic direction for Council and the wider community for the next 20 years and outlines how it plans to invest in projects and programmes. 

Between 20 March and 24 April Council will ask the community for feedback on some new activities and ask about a range of things that could be reduced or stopped if people want to further reduce their rates.

The big new proposals on which Council will be seeking people’s feedback are:

• plans for transforming Paraparaumu and Waikanae town centres
• repairs to Te Ātiawa Park courts in Paraparaumu
• a new splashpad in Ōtaki and repairs to the town’s pool
• a performing arts centre

Other planned work on which feedback will be sought includes repairs to the Paekākāriki sea wall and building a youth development centre.

Mayor Church says the community has already helped shape the LTP’s direction through a reference group of people from business, youth, elderly, sporting, rural, disability, environmental and arts/cultural sectors and, in a parallel process, from Council’s iwi partners.

"In March we'll be putting out a consultation document outlining proposals and seeking the views of the wider community on what’s important to them and what things they think should be included in the final LTP."

Following the consultation period and public hearings in May the final Long Term Plan will be adopted by Council on 25 June 2015.