3 April 2012

Council Seeks Public Feedback On Long Term Plan Issues
Some major issues are being put forward for consultation through the council’s Long Term Plan, with the consultation period opening this week on 5 April.

These include:
Financial strategy
The council’s plan is based on a strategy of maintenance and prudence, to keep the district’s assets and infrastructure well maintained, while still providing for the future. Some levels of service, such as water quality, will be improved, but others, such as roading, will see maintenance at present levels rather than further improvement.

Rates
• Proposal to develop a transitional rates remission policy. This would be a one-off policy which will operate for a period of up to two years and which could help address the rates increases brought about by the merging of the former Franklin and Waikato districts’ rating systems, and the alignment of the property valuations. The remissions would be funded through reserves or general rates. Public feedback is sought before this option is explored further.
• A general rates increase of 2.4 per cent is proposed. How this increase is reflected in rates bills depends on the valuation of individual properties.
• Targeted rates for water, stormwater, wastewater and refuse/recycling are proposed to increase. This increase would vary depending on the area within the district.
• A targeted rate is proposed of $18.20 per year to recover the direct costs of running the Onewhero-Tuakau, Huntly, Taupiri, Ngaruawahia and Raglan community boards. This would apply to those community board areas only.

Debt levels
The council has budgeted for $126 million in debt in 2022, from a forecasted position of $61 million at the end of June 2012. This is because some areas of the district are likely to grow. While this is in the budget, this debt will only be incurred if the growth occurs. It will also be paid back to the council through development contributions from those developing in the district. The budgeted debt level is still well within the council’s limits.

Waste Management & Minimisation Plan
A new Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is being developed. The aim is to reduce the amount of rubbish going to the landfills, and encourage more recycling. There is a range of options included in the waste plan for the public to consider, including for example, extending the range of what is collected for recycling, requiring contractors to supply information about how much waste is collected, starting to collect food waste and with that, possibly reducing the rubbish collection to fortnightly to offset the food waste collection cost. The Huntly, Raglan and Te Kauwhata transfer stations are to be upgraded, and community partnerships established.

The full waste plan is available at the council’s offices and libraries.

Road seal extensions discontinued
With the addition of the Onewhero, Awaroa Ki Tuakau wards and the extension of the Whangamarino ward our roading network has extended to 2,447km (the second largest roading network in the North Island). With the planned transfer of state highway to the council as part of the Waikato Expressway project the network is expected to grow by a further 100km by the end of this plan.
This will cost $1 million per annum on basic maintenance alone. Rather than continuing to extend our sealed network (at approximately double the cost per kilometre to maintain when compared with the unsealed network) the council has discontinued its seal extension programme for the foreseeable future to concentrate on projects that will maintain our current roads and those that are predominately growth driven.

Dog registration fees
All dog owners will be presumed to be ‘approved’ owners unless they incur infringements within a 12-month period. The fees will be $85, with a $20 discount for payment before 1 August. The registration fees will increase if owners have infringements.

Water quality
The council has already consulted the community about water quality levels, and based on the feedback, proposes to improve drinking water standards over time to reach the Cc grade. To lift it to Bb grade would cost about $440,000 or a further $34 per connection each year, which has not been included in the budget. The council is also continuing its water metering programme, which will help cut water consumption.

When that programme is complete, the council wants to investigate how everyone, whose property is connected to water, can pay the same amount for the service regardless of where they live.

Wastewater charges
The council is considering how new wastewater systems can be funded, with small towns likely to require wastewater systems in the future as on-site systems fail and potential public health issues arise. For Whaanga Coast, the council has resolved to apply a 60:40 funding split between the community and the council for the capital cost of its reticulation system, paid through a capital contribution. The council share will come from a loan. The council is still consulting with the community on the scheme’s proposal. This funding solution could be used in other parts of the district where similar requirement arises.

Borrowing through the Local Government Funding Agency
The council is considering borrowing its funds for new projects through the Local Government Funding Agency. While the council is not a member of the agency, it can borrow from it, so gaining lower interest rates. A full statement of proposal is included in the Long Term Plan.

Company reviews
The council is reviewing its return on investment in the Hamilton airport. While this is considered a strategic regional asset, with the new expressway and the construction of Auckland’s south-western motorway, many Waikato residents find it’s quicker to get to Auckland airport. The council review is to see if there is a fair return on the investment for ratepayers.

The board of Strada Corporation, the council owned engineering, road construction and maintenance, and quarrying company, will review the business and our return on investment and will provide recommendations to the council.

Rail service
With the government’s priority the Waikato Expressway completion, the council has decided it should consider the feasibility of a train service between Auckland and Tuakau. An upgrade of the Tuakau rail platform is included in the budget.

All projects included in the budget, and details of projects not included in the budget, are contained in the full draft Long Term Plan document. The summary also provides information about the major consultation questions.

Consultation opens on 5 April 2012 and closes at 4pm on 9 May 2012. Submission forms are contained in the summary, which is being sent to all ratepayers and is also available, at all council offices and public libraries.

ENDS

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