March 20, 2009

Media Release (For Immediate Release)

DRAFT PLAN FOR CONSULTATION

Waitakere City Councillors today formally adopted their draft Long Term Council Community Plan (2009-2019) for public consultation.

The draft plan contains projects and priorities for the next 10 years and also includes the Annual Plan (budget) for the 2009-2010 financial year.

The focus of the long-term plan is on major infrastructure and population growth-related projects, particularly around New Lynn and in the north of the City (around Westgate and Hobsonville). Those areas will need to cater for thousands more residents and associated development in future years.

Janet Clews, is chair of the Long Term Council Community Plan and Annual Plan Committee. She says staff and Councillors have put in a “huge amount of effort” over recent months to bring together a plan which is both affordable and delivers on important growth-related projects.

The draft budget for 2009-2010 shows an indicative rates rise of 2.98% (or around $1 per week for the average residential property). This is well down on over 7% which was signalled in the Long term Council Community Plan.

Public consultation on the Draft Annual Plan opens on March 31 and continues until April 30.

ENDS

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