Early birds to the Draft Annual Plan

Boy racers and bicycles, flooding and footpaths are some of the issues raised in early submissions to the Waitakere City Council’s 2004/2005 Draft Annual Plan.

Roading and transport make up a third of the 34 submissions received so far. Requests range from a special area for boy racers to a cycleway along Great North Road and other roads.

There are also calls for improved rural roads in Swanson and Whenuapai and for better footpaths between Kelston to New Lynn. One submittor asked for an express bus service to West Harbour, while another wants the Council to continue to advocate for double tracking of the western line from New Lynn to Waitakere.

The restoration of the historic Tui Glen Wharf in Henderson has been called for and there is a request for the Council to buy land alongside waterways to develop recreational water space.

The Council-run Wild Out West Jazz Festival, held last Sunday at Falls Park in Henderson, was singled out for praise and the submission suggests that more events of this kind are needed.

Several submissions opposed Council funding land for a Te Kawerau a Maki marae and several more were against the proposed purchase of Kaikoura Island (neither project is currently in the draft annual plan.

Included in this year’s Draft Annual Plan is a rates increase of 3.97%. This is approximately $45 for the average inner residential property with a land value of $90,000. The total proposed rates is $93.5 million.

The biggest slice of rates goes to Wastewater in the inner area, (25%), with parks and roads/footpaths costing 14.5% and 14.3 respectively. Democracy costs 9.0%, libraries 7.4%, stormwater 6.6% and leisure 6.6%. Other areas include: rubbish collection and disposal 4.5%; city development 3.1% and business development and promotion 2.6%.

Waitakere City’s 2005-2005 draft Annual Plan is open for submissions until 5pm on 13 May.

It can be viewed and submissions made, online at waitakere.govt.nz. Hard copies of the plan (and copies of the submission form), are available for viewing in libraries, the New Lynn Council Service Centre, Citizens’ Advice Bureaux community centres and at Waitakere City reception at the Civic Centre, 6 Waipareira Avenue, Henderson..

ENDS

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