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

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

 

Consultation on Long Term Plan underway

1 April 2015

Consultation on Long Term Plan underway, indicative rates proposed for 2015/16

Residents are encouraged to have their say about what major projects should be funded in Lower Hutt over the next decade. Hutt City Council’s proposed Long Term Plan 2015 – 2025 consultation document will be open for discussion over the month of April.

Chief Executive Tony Stallinger states “Last year Council and our community agreed that we needed to make a big investment in the growth and rejuvenation of Hutt City. This investment can be seen in the large number of projects in the 2014/15 Annual Plan for the city. Because of the extent of work already underway we don’t propose a significant level of new projects this year”.

Projects up for consultation in this year’s Long Term Plan include:

• $9 million toward the Eastern Bays Shared Path between Lowry Bay and Days Bay. **

• $3 million towards the acceleration of city-wide cycle network upgrades. **

• An additional $2 million toward the Regional Bowls Centre in Naenae, funded through asset sales.

• $500,000 toward city-wide science and technology projects.

• $200,000 for a viewing platform at the top of Wainuiomata Hill.

• $100,000 each toward progressing Petone and Wainuiomata Sportsville projects.

** The dates of these two projects have been brought forward, and will proceed only if Council receive an expected subsidy through NZTA

Mr Stallinger says, “Our communities’ opinions certainly influence the decisions we make. I encourage everyone to get informed on this draft plan and give us feedback.”

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.

Council have also proposed rates levels for the year ahead. Average Rates proposed by Hutt City Council will increase by 1.8% in the 2015/16 year; average Residential Rates will increase by 2.79% (that’s an increase of approximately $57 per annum on a property valued at $373,000), it is proposed that Central Business and Suburban Business rates will see a slight decrease of -1.08% and -0.37% respectively.

Council also propose amending debt levels to a maximum of $125 million in 2020, 2025 and 2030. Changing borrowing limits will allow Council to keep rate increases down, whilst still maintaining a Standard and Poor’s AA credit rating. The proposed debt level is lower than the level of Council’s annual income. Council currently maintains $1.4 billion of assets from an annual income of $140 million.

Council also consults on the draft Infrastructure Strategy over the month of April. Released this week, it is the fourth and final key long-term strategy to be confirmed.

The community are encouraged to get informed and have their say. Copies of the Long Term Plan consultation document were inserted in all copies of the Hutt News on Tuesday 31 March.

In addition copies of this and the draft Infrastructure Strategy can be picked up from any of the eight Hutt City libraries, or the Hutt City Council admin building at 531 High Street. Alternatively they can be viewed online at huttcity.govt.nz/LTP.


The community have until Thursday 30 April at 5pm to have their say. People who make a submission are also welcome to present to the Mayor and Councillors in late May. After hearing and reviewing all feedback Council will meet in early June to make final decisions on the Long Term Plan 2015 – 2025.

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.