Local Financial Contribution Key to Sealing Rangataua Streets

Land owners on Kaha and Tau Streets in Rangataua are being asked whether they support paying a lump sum of around $1,200 to fast track their sealing.

As part of the Long Term Plan (LTP) 2015/25 process council considered submissions from residents and ratepayers to the effect that Kaha and Tau Streets should be sealed.

In accordance with the Land Transport Policy adopted some years ago councillors passed a motion that the roads be fast-tracked for sealing given an acceptable local financial contribution was forthcoming.

Ruapehu District Council chief executive Peter Till said that council has subsequently held a public meeting in Rangataua and written to all affected land owners outlining what needs to happen next including what an acceptable local financial contribution would be.

“At this point council is proposing affected land owners pay a lump sum of $1,015 + GST or as a yearly payment of $108 + GST for 15 years (both per owned land parcel along the unsealed sections of Kaha and Tau Streets),” he said.

“Before making a final decision as to whether to proceed council needs a clear indication from a majority of affected land owners as to whether they support paying a special targeted rate to fund it.”

“As the striking of a new targeted rate would require a change to the recently adopted LTP council is required to undertake a formal public consultation following ‘special consultative procedure’ rules.”

Mr Till said that affected land owners have been asked to respond to a survey by end of the month (31 July 15) on whether they support paying the special targeted rate.

“Council needs a significant majority of the land owners to vote in support of the proposition before they will commit to the project.”

“Given a decision to proceed it is anticipated that the public consultation on whether to allow council to strike a special targeted rate against affected land owners on Kaha and Tau Streets would start in mid-September.”

“If all goes to plan the sealing of Kaha and Tau Streets would take place as part of this coming summer’s road improvement programme.”

Mr Till added that the June 20/21 weather bomb that isolated Pipiriki caused around $3.6 million in damages to the Ruapehu road network which will have an impact on council’s road improvement programme.

“If in the interim Ruapehu is hit by a similar storm event it will in all likelihood derail the ability to seal Kaha and Tau Streets.”

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