Public Submissions Encouraged on Mackenzie Issues

The public are invited to have a say on issues affecting the Mackenzie District -- including a proposal to spend millions of dollars upgrading the Twizel water supply, and the planned development of the Lake Tekapo village water front.

Mackenzie District Council Mayor Claire Barlow says the council’s draft annual plan is out for consultation and public feedback is needed to ensure the council continues to meet the community’s needs.

“I encourage you to have your say,” she says. “While we have legislative requirements that have to be met, particularly around the upgrading of the water supplies, community input is important in making these decisions and gaining a ‘feel’ for our ratepayers’ views.”

There is a copy of the draft plan, a summary document and submission form available on the council’s website (www.mackenzie.govt.nz) and at council offices and libraries in Fairlie and Twizel. In Tekapo, the information is available at Air Safaris and Services Ltd, State Highway 8.

Submissions close on June 5 and submitters have the option of speaking directly to the council at a hearing on June 13. Some submissions to the draft annual plan have already arrived and can also be viewed on the council’s website.

Mrs Barlow says this year’s draft annual plan includes some key projects like the upgrade of the Twizel water supply to meet drinking water standards.

“An important decision needs to be made on whether we upgrade the current source of water from a bore near Glen Lyon Road, or seek a new bore source 3km to the west,” says Mrs Barlow. The cost of the different options ranges from $2.1 million to $5.6 million. You can find out more about this in the draft annual plan.

“Council expects the outcome of this plan to be an average rate rise of 4.54% in Fairlie, 4.81% in Tekapo, and 8.83% in Twizel. Twizel will increase more due to the water upgrade project. In rural areas, a sample of rural properties shows rates could rise between 4.72% and 6.99%,” she says.

Other key projects include the development of council land in the Lake Tekapo village centre, and funding towards the maintenance and promotion of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.

“We are planning to increase our funding commitment to economic development (including the Alps 2 Ocean Cycleway). We propose to fund this by an increase in the current UAC from $25 to $35 per rateable property, along with an increase of 13% on the targeted Accommodation Provider and Commercial Business rate. This is the first increase in the targeted rates since 2010.”

“It’s really important that the public have a say on issues that will affect them either directly or indirectly in the future. I encourage you to make a submission,” Mrs Barlow says.

ENDS

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