Boost In Funding To Protect Tauranga Harbour

Funding for protection of Tauranga Harbour will increase after feedback from ratepayers on Environment Bay of Plenty’s draft Ten Year Plan 2009 – 2019.

Significant public feedback on the importance of the harbour to the economic, recreational, cultural and social wellbeings of the region will result in an increase of around $1 million over the next three years in two key work areas, the Sustainable Land Management Programme and the Sustainable Coastal Management Programme.

The additional funding will specifically be allocated to provide for coastal research and management including developing and implementing catchment plans for the Tauranga Harbour catchments.

“Tauranga Harbour is arguably the single most important natural asset in the Bay of Plenty and as such its protection is vital,” Environment Bay of Plenty Chairman John Cronin said.

“Boosting funding in this area will help protect the health of the harbour not just for the next few years, but for generations to come.”

Public transport funding for Tauranga will also increase with funding for this service coming from Central Government, general rates and targeted rates.

Spending during the next three years on public transport for Tauranga is $8.9 million in $2009/10, rising to $10.4 million in 2010/11 and to $13.3 million in 2011/12. Rural services, which include the Tauranga to Rotorua service, will be boosted by a further $2.78 million over the next three years.

The targeted passenger transport rate for Tauranga ratepayers will be $56.96 in the first year of the Ten Year Plan, 2009/10, rising to $64.99 the following year and to $82.73 the year after.

While Tauranga City Council had funded 10 percent of funding for public transport for 2008/09, Environment Bay of Plenty will pick up this funding from 2009/10.

Improvements to public transport in Tauranga include more modern, accessible buses and support for more cycling and walking initiatives.

In total, during the next three years, Environment Bay of Plenty will spend $69.7 million on work in Year One (2009/10), $83.1 million on work in Year Two and $100 million in Year Three.

The regional council received 199 public submissions and 465 completed survey forms distributed through its bi-monthly “Backyard” newsletter on the proposed work and spending programme outlined in the draft Ten Year Plan.

The Ten Year Plan 2009 – 2019 was adopted at the regional council’s meeting today.

ENDS

© Scoop Media