Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

TRC rates unchanged, programmes improving

TRC rates unchanged, programmes improving


The Taranaki Regional Council today signalled essentially no change in rates next year despite plans to expand some programmes.

The Council’s draft budget for 2015/2016 envisages an overall decrease of $34,594, or a little over a third of 1%, in its total rates take (made up of general rates, targeted rates and uniform annual charge). However, the general rates take on its own will increase by just under 1%, with the impact to vary across the region.

The 2015/2016 budget forms part of the Council’s draft Long-Term Plan 2015/2025, for which councillors today approved a Consultation Document to be open for public submissions during March.

The Chairman, David MacLeod, says the Council’s long-term budgets are based on general rates increases below the rate of inflation across the life of the plan. “We are among the lowest rating Councils in the country and we want to keep this status,” he says. “Rates increases have been minimal in recent years, the Council’s financial position is strong and we have no public debt.”

Progressions to existing programmes, rather than fundamental changes, are envisaged in coming years:

New Government directives and the Council’s own extensive reviews will bring changes to its state of the environment reporting regime and its resourcing of the riparian management programme.

The Council’s approach to biodiversity partnerships will evolve, building on a strongly collaborative approach it has helped to foster among Taranaki agencies and groups working in this field.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The cost of an exciting upgrade of the Pukeiti gatehouse is being added to the budget.

The Council plans to enter a partnership with other regions and the Government to develop a new electronic ticketing system for bus services.
Submissions on the Long-Term Plan Consultation Document run for four weeks from Monday 2 March. The document, and information on how to make a submission, will be available at public libraries and district council service centres across the region, and online at www.trc.govt.nz.

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.