MEDIA RELEASE
Horizons Regional Council

Wednesday 13 March, 2013

Draft Annual Plan Submissions Opening Soon

Horizons Regional Council’s draft annual plan will be released for public consultation on 5 April and chairman Bruce Gordon is encouraging people to have their say.

The draft Annual Plan outlines the work Horizons will do in the year ahead and what it will cost. Mr Gordon says he is keen to hear what the community thinks about the Plan through the submission process.

“This is the time to have your say about how we look after your patch of New Zealand,” Says Mr Gordon.

Following a council meeting held this week rates are expected to increase no more than one per cent on average across the Region. The Long Term Plan adopted in 2012 had signaled a 6.78 per cent rate increase.

Mr Gordon says in order to have a rate increase under one per cent Horizons will have to move away from the native bush and wetland remnant restoration programme that has been in place for several years.

“In recognition of the current economic climate, and in particular the dry conditions faced by our farming community, council looked very closely at projects that were not crucial business,” says Mr Gordon.

“However this is just the draft Annual Plan so there is the opportunity for the public to voice their opinions when submissions open in April,” says Mr Gordon.

“Key issues open for discussion will be our proposal to move away from native bush and wetland remnant restoration, which will also impact Horizons’ involvement in the Lake Horowhenua restoration and Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord projects. We also propose to remove Horizons’ partnership from the kiwi and blue duck preservation projects Mainland Tawata and Kia Wharite in Ruapehu.

“Finally we had considered putting more resources into the rural advice team who provide farmers with non-regulatory advice. However it is proposed this no longer goes ahead, so we would like to hear what the community think about that,” he says.

Copies of the Plan and the summary will be available from Horizons offices or online at www.horizons.govt.nz with submissions closing 3 May 2013. In order to meet statutory deadlines council will not be able to accept late submissions for this Annual Plan.

Submissions can be made by:
• Filling out a submission form on the back of the summary;
• Posting a letter to Freepost 217922, Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442;
• Going to www.horizons.govt.nz and submit online; or
• Email your submission to annualplan@horizons.govt.nz.
Submission hearings will be held on 20-22 May and may be held at locations throughout the Region based on demand.

ENDS

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