4 April 2019

Submissions open tomorrow on Council’s 2019-20 Annual Plan, which explains Council’s work in the coming financial year, how much we expect to spend on our activities and services, and how it will be funded. Councillors adopted the Plan for public consultation at this morning’s Council meeting.

Mayor John Leggett says the Council is maintaining its focus on capital investment for Marlborough’s core infrastructure.

“The proposed expenditure in this year’s annual plan is in line with forecasts in the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan, with Council investing $519M on core services over ten years.”

“We have managed to reduce the proposed rates increase for this year to 3.96%, which is well below the 5.72% forecast in our 2018-28 Long Term Plan, and puts us in the lower third of New Zealand’s councils this year.”

“We would like our increase to be lower but, like everyone, councils are subject to inflation. In our case BERL’s Local Government Cost Index forecast movement in the year ahead is 2.32%; our other major impact is from capital expenditure.”

“We have many significant projects coming up, including upgrading Renwick’s water supply, building a new water treatment plant in Havelock, and building new water and sewerage infrastructure in Picton.”

“In Blenheim, growth is driving the upgrade of our sewer network and pump stations. We’re building a new stormwater and wastewater network in the town’s north-west to support residential section development, which helps ensure that our level of housing supply improves.”

“Planning work is continuing on the new Blenheim Library and Art Gallery, the Lansdowne Park Sports Hub and the Flaxbourne Irrigation Scheme, which are all exciting major new developments for Marlborough.”

“I’m looking forward to hearing what the public thinks of our plan, and what areas or projects they think should be priorities,” the Mayor says.

The Annual Plan 2019-20 Update* will be available on Council’s website later today. Hard copies will be available from tomorrow at Council’s Blenheim office, Picton Library and Service Centre, Marlborough District Library, Blenheim, or your local community library.

The deadline for submissions is 5.00 pm on Monday 6 May.

You can fill out an online submission form at: www.marlborough.govt.nz under Have Your Say.

Or write to Annual Plan Feedback, Marlborough District Council, 15 Seymour St, PO Box 443, Blenheim, or email annualplan@marlborough.govt.nz If you would also like to speak to councillors in person, let us know, along with your submission, by 6 May.

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