2005/06 Annual Plan gives aid to arthritis sufferers and encourages responsible dog owners

A hydrotherapy pool and a smaller dog registration fee increase for responsible dog owners are on the agenda for Wellingtonians following the adoption today of Wellington City Council’s Annual Plan for the next year.

“Council has decided to help fund the hydrotherapy pool at Wellington Hospital with the provision of a $1.333 million loan to Capital and Coast District Health,” says Mayor Kerry Prendergast said today..

“Council will fund the building of the hydrotherapy pool. Capital and Coast DHB has agreed to repay the principal and interest, as well as funding the operating costs of the pool.

“The partnership of the Council with Capital and Coast DHB to provide this hydrotheraphy pool will be an important factor in improving the health of all the citizens of Wellington now and in the future,” Mayor Prendergast says.
The council also wants to encourage responsible dog owners in Wellington and has decided to make only a small increase from $47.50 to $50.00 in those enrolled in the Responsible Dog Owners scheme,” says Mayor Prendergast.

“So that the cost of operating the dog control services is still 75 percent funded by dog owners, we have had to raise some of the other fees.”

Registration fees for neutered/spayed and newly registered dogs will rise to $105.00 and for Entire dogs to $145.00. Working dogs will have registration fees of $40.00.

Those who wish to enrol in the Responsible Dog Owners scheme have until 1 April 2006 to apply to the Council for the next financial year 2006/07.

The average total real rates increase for 2005/06 has been confirmed at 6.99 percent. Individual ratepayers will pay more or less than that, depending on whether they pay commercial or residential rates and on changes in the value of their property.

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