Annual Plan - informing our community
March 22, 2005

Residents and ratepayers in North Shore City have an opportunity to comment on how their council plans to run the city for the next year.

North Shore City Council has prepared a draft annual plan for the 05/06 financial year, which sets out the council's priorities - and the costs of running the city.

The annual plan submission process gives the local community an opportunity to hear what the council's plans are for the next financial year and to give feedback.

An average rates increase of 6.99 per cent is proposed for next year to pay for new assets and maintain existing services in one of the fastest-growing parts of New Zealand.

Mayor George Wood says this places increasing demand on services and facilities throughout North Shore City.

"More than half the proposed rates increase is going towards funding the billion dollars the council is investing over 10 years in capital works to continue progress in areas that are important to residents. Rates are increasing to fund interest and repay loans for work already completed. This includes improvements to transportation, wastewater and stormwater networks and the purchase of new parks and reserves," he says.

There is a four-week submission period, during which the public can have its say, which begins today (March 22) and ends on April 22. People can also hear more about the plan by attending one of the meetings in the city.

Meetings about the draft plan will be held at Glenfield Area Office, Bentley Ave, Glenfield on April 4; East Coast Bays Area Office, Glen Rd, Browns Bay on April 5; Takapuna Area Office, The Strand, Takapuna on April 6; and Devonport Area Office, Victoria Rd, Devonport on April 7. All meetings start at 7.30pm.

Mr Wood says the council is circulating over 80,000 copies of the annual plan summary newsletter to every householder and box holder in North Shore City this week. He says that additional copies of the newsletter and copies of the draft 2005/06 annual plan document are available from libraries and council offices and on the website at www.northshorecity.govt.nz.

The summary newsletter's back page is a reply-paid submission form to make it easier for people to provide feedback. Submissions can also be entered on the council website www.northshorecity.govt.nz until 5pm on April 22.

The form can also be used to nominate a time to present to the council's hearings committee, which will meet during May. North Shore City councillor Heather Brown will chair this year's annual plan hearings committee.

Any changes will be reflected in the final, approved plan for the year 2005/06, which will be adopted on June 29.

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