MEDIA RELEASE
 

Annual Plan – Key Proposals
For immediate release: Thursday 6 June 2008
 

Environment Bay of Plenty councillors have considered the communities views as part of the annual plan deliberations last Thursday (29 May).

The regional council proposes to maintain its rate increase which means a rise of around $4.18 to $11.44 per household per year.

Chairman John Cronin said the plan was largely business as normal.

“Since we adopted the Draft Annual Plan we have had some savings in some areas and increases in expenditure in others which has led to the overall increase in rates being maintained. We know this is tough time financially for residents across the region and we have worked hard to keep the rates increase to a reasonable level,” said Mr Cronin.

There was good news for Rotorua residents who will benefit from a significant proposed reduction in their targeted rate for Rotorua buses which will see it reduce from $42.33 to $29.55 per household per year. This will not lead to a reduction in the frequency of bus services.

Opotiki will benefit from a proposed $50,000 grant for its Opotiki Harbour Development Project. This should lead to economic benefits for the local area and beyond.

More money will be available for volunteers working with the regional council on environmental projects. The Environmental Enhancement Fund will be boosted by $50,000 to a proposed total of $500,000 in recognition of the invaluable work happening within our community and to account for inflation.

Environment Bay of Plenty will maintain its commitment to economic development agencies. However, the money available for direct grants to the agencies will decrease to $30,000 in total or $10,000 for each agency. Previously the money available to the economic development agencies was tied to projects. It is proposed that their $10,000 grant now be used as they see fit.

“We continue to be committed to supporting economic development in the Bay of Plenty and we have recently increased our contribution at the regional level. The regional council now has a full-time member of staff dedicated to sustainable economic development and there may be opportunities for the economic development agencies to work with that staff member on projects,” said Mr Cronin.

Mr Cronin thanked residents and organisations for making constructive submissions to the plan.

Council will adopt the annual plan 2008/2009 at the council meeting on Thursday 19 June.

The Draft Annual Plan 2008/09 is based on year three of the Ten Year Plan 2006-16. The Regional Council also sought views on the Draft Section 36 Resource Management Act Charges Policy For 2008/2009 and Draft Bay of Plenty Regional Council Floodway and Drainage Bylaw 2008.

Copies of the submissions are available to read at Environment Bay of Plenty’s offices in Whakatane, Rotorua and Mount Maunganui.  The summary of submissions is available on Environment Bay of Plenty’s website.

Ends

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