June 27, 2007

Media Release (For Immediate Release)

Waitakere Completes Budget Deliberations

Waitakere City Council has completed deliberations on its budget (Annual Plan) for the 2007-2008 financial year.

The average residential rates rise across the City is 5.50% (or $1.70 per week for a property with a land value of $150,000). The average residential rate is estimated to be $1669.

Rates include a Uniform Annual General Charge of $628 which all properties pay regardless of their land value and a wastewater charge of $373 for residential properties connected (or able to be connected) to Council’s the wastewater network.

Draft budgets had shown an indicative rates rise of 6.69%.

“But after 10 days of listening to public submissions, debate and review of budgets we managed to trim that back. What we have arrived at will be one of the lower rates increases in the Auckland region,” says Councillor Janet Clews, chair of the Long Term Council Community Plan and Annual Plan Special Committee.

“We have to balance the needs of a rapidly growing City with what our ratepayers want and expect. This budget does that.”

“I am particularly pleased that service levels have been maintained, the work programme is in line with our 10 year plan, and that the increase is close to the rate of inflation.”

The Council finalised a budget which sees the bulk of the rates money (82%) spent on “the basics” – things like stormwater, wastewater, parks, leisure facilities, libraries, and roading.

Features of the Annual Plan include:

• The next stage of work on the new grandstand at Douglas Track & Field in Henderson- $2.058 million.
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• Green Bay Community House upgrade ($180,000)
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• $54.2 million for roads and footpaths
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• Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre and Library- planning for redevelopment ($100,000). Physical work will start in 2008-2009.
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• Ranui Library extension ($617,000)
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• Improvements to the rail corridor in New Lynn- $8 million
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• Improvements to the town centre (business area) in Henderson -$1.17 million
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• Re-development of Lopdell House Art Gallery in Titirangi -$1.029 million
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• Ongoing support for Sport Waitakere ($105,000)
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• The price of water (at $1.48 per cubic metre) remains unchanged
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Ends

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