8 March 2010

Media Release – for immediate release

Tasman District Council considers Draft Annual Plan

Tasman District Council will consider approving its Draft Annual Plan for public consultation at its meeting on Friday 12 March

The highlight of this year’s Draft Annual Plan is the proposed average general rates increase of 3.97 %, while similar to last year’s increase, the bulk of this increase is made up of an allowance for inflation of 3 %.

“Considering the Ten Year Plan, adopted last year, identified a rate increase of 5.12 % for 2010/11, the Councillors, with the assistance of the staff, have done an extremely good job of identifying savings to achieve the lower rate of increase”, said Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne. “This reduction has been achieved while still maintaining the infrastructure development and services essential to meet the growing needs of our communities.”

The Draft Annual Plan identifies the projects and activities the Council is proposing to undertake during 2010/2011 and the costs of that work.

“I believe the Council’s Draft Annual Plan achieves a good balance between prudent and sustainable financial management and the need to cater for a growing region”, Mayor Kempthorne said.

“It’s important to note, however, that the proposed general rates increase is only part of the story. Council also has a number of targeted rates for specific services it provides. As the targeted rates apply to properties depending on the services being provided, the proposed total rates increase will not be the same for all properties. For most properties, however, the total rates increase proposed will be around 5 percent, including the 3 percent allowance for inflation.”

If the Council’s adopts the Draft Annual Plan on Friday, the Summary of the plan will go out as a special edition of the Council’s Newsline on 19 March and the full Draft Annual Plan will be available to the public on Monday 22 March on Council’s website and from Council offices and libraries. Submissions will close on Monday 26 April.

“I encourage Tasman District residents to read the Summary and the full Draft Annual Plan and to send us your comments” says Mayor Kempthorne.

ENDS

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