Council adopts Annual Plan

June 29, 2007

North Shore City Council today adopted its 2007-08 Annual Plan with an average rates increase of 6.9* per cent from July to pay for new assets and maintain existing services.

Mayor George Wood the council have worked hard to contain the rates increase while still delivering a work programme that meets the standards our community expects.

"A combination of factors, including delays with some projects, and making interest rate savings have all helped to reduce the rates increase from the 8.9 per cent projected in our 10-year City Plan," he says.

The major reasons for the rates increase are the debt servicing costs for the loan-funded capital works programme, depreciation and maintenance of new assets. A continued focus remains on areas that the community has said are important to them, including wastewater, public transport, roads and parks.

Some new capital projects that the North Shore City Council is investing in, to the tune of $161m, over the next year, are:

* Transport (includes public transport assets of $24m) $61m

* Wastewater (includes $34m on the treatment plant and outfall) $46m * Parks, beaches and sportsfields $32m * Stormwater $8m

The average residential rates bill is expected to increase from $1,594 to $1,711 - a $117 increase or $2.25 more a week.

ENDS

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