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