Have Your Say on the Draft Annual Plan 2013/14

Dunedin (Friday, 8 March 2013) – Whether it’s a proposed increase in dog registration fees or the option of reducing debt, the Dunedin City Council wants to hear from you.

Public submissions on the DCC’s Draft Annual Plan 2013/14 open tomorrow and close at 5pm on 9 April. People are encouraged to make an early submission and, if possible, use an online form.

The Draft Annual Plan is the DCC’s biggest consultation process for the year and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is encouraging people to get involved.

“I urge residents to engage with the process and look at the implications of what we’re proposing to spend money on.”

For example, the proposal to establish a $400,000 Events Attraction Fund to secure major events at the Forsyth Barr Stadium is designed to deliver economic benefits to the wider community. The money for the Fund would come from existing DCC budgets, with no extra cost to ratepayers, Mayor Cull says.

A summary of what is planned for the 2013/14 year, presented in a map fold newsletter, will be delivered to every Dunedin household from today. There will be detailed information on the DCC website and copies of the full Plan, as well as static displays, will be available at DCC facilities such as libraries and museums.

There will also be public meetings and road shows held around the wider city during the submission period.

The DCC is consulting on a wide range of proposed projects and initiatives, such as accelerating debt repayment related to the Stadium by an extra $1.725 million, and allocating up to $90,000 to a Central City Heritage Re-use Grants Fund in 2013/14.

Some changes to fees and charges are also planned, such as increases to dog registration fees and a rise in landfill and swimming pool charges.

Last year’s Draft Annual Plan attracted 1024 submissions, covering 221 topics.

For further details and an online submission form visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/draft-annual-plan.

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