April 20, 2006

10 Year Plan Submissions Open Today

Residents of Waitakere can now have a say in their city’s future. Public submissions on the draft Annual Plan and 2006-2016 Long Term Council Community Plan are open for submissions from today (April 20) until May 19.

The Annual Plan sets projects and budgets for the 2006/2007 financial year while the LTCCP, a new requirement under the Local Government Act, sets priorities for the next 10 years.

Copies of the plans – in four volumes – and submission forms are available at libraries, the Council’s Civic Centre in Waipareira Avenue (Henderson) and from local marae and Pacific Island churches. Volume 1 contains an overview and summary material.

The draft budgets show a rates increase of 6.85% for the coming financial year with similar figures indicated for the next 10 years. The major financial drivers are depreciation and interest charges.

As part of the consultation, the Council is also asking the public for its views on a proposed change in rating methodology. The proposal is to change from a system based on land value to capital value (and a move to a Uniform Annual Charge for wastewater on residential properties, rather than having wastewater assessed against property values). Over the next few weeks, ratepayers will receive letters outlining the impact of the proposed change to capital value (and the other proposals) on their property.

Other issues highlighted for consultation:

- Targeted rates – whether specific areas that are being developed with significant Council funding, and which will benefit economically, should be rated separately. For example, levying businesses that are within an 800 metre radius of the site for the proposed New Lynn transport project - double tracking of the Western Railway Line - to improve transport in the city and to revitalise the town centre.

- Cycleways – The Council is planning to build approximately a third of its cycleway network over the next ten years.

- Transport Strategy – The Council is seeking the public’s views on its draft strategy and associated programme of around $380m over the next 10 years

A special eight page issue of the Council’s newspaper, the Waitakere City News, summarises the plans and contains a submission form. That will be distributed to homes and businesses over the next week. Submissions can also be made online at www.waitakere.govt.nz

ENDS

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