Papakura Confirms its Final Annual Plan
Business as usual as council prepares for transition

Papakura District Council has signed off on its last annual plan before it is merged with all other Auckland councils in November.

Long-Term Council Community Plan committee chair Felicity Auva’a said in most respects the 2010-2011 plan was “business as usual” and followed the direction set out in the 2009 – 2019 Papakura LTCCP.

“Our job this year was to maintain the momentum of the projects approved in the LTCCP, and to ensure stability and consistency as the transition to the new council structure takes place. I am pleased that we have been able to complete our task and give certainty to the residents of the district as we enter the transition period.”

The LTCCP had signalled a rate rise of 10 per cent.

In addition to the multi-year, ongoing and “legacy” projects contained in the LTCCP, the 2010-2011 plan includes funding increases of $170,000 for stormwater work (open drains and stream maintenance), taking that budget from $105,000 to $275,000; and mangrove removal programme at Pahurehure Inlet which increases by $250,000 to $350,000.

This enables the removal of mangroves to take place over three years instead of the planned ten year period.

These additions to the budget will see the average residential property rate rise by 11.1 per cent.

The annual plan will have two sections: the first covering work to be carried out between 1 July and 31 October; the second covering work to be done from 1 November 2010 to 30 June 2011 – this being work that will be carried out under the new Auckland Council.

Papakura’s annual plan will now be submitted to the Audit Office for their review, then to the Auckland Transition Agency for its approval.

This year there will be no public consultation on the draft annual plan. Under special legislation introduced by Government, public consultation on the draft annual plan is not required if it does not significantly alter the direction set out in the 2009-2019 LTCCP.

ENDS

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