Draft Annual Plan 2010/11 posits 4.5% rates rise - 12/03/2010

Promotion & Image Building of Wanganui at heart of plan

The draft Annual Plan for the 2010/11 financial year includes an average rates rise of 4.5% across the district.

It also features a major image building and promotional initiative for Wanganui with the aim of attracting both visitors and new residents.

And it builds on the major principles adopted in the Ten Year Plan 2009-19 including rates restraint, the completion of infrastructural projects, the delivery of “soft” water, and a concentration upon the district’s premier parks.

The district council has held two major workshops to set the principles and policies to be included in the draft Annual Plan 2010/11, and will vote upon its formal adoption at the Council meeting to be held this coming Monday, March 15.

“This is a plan put together at a difficult economic time, both for the country and the community. We have balanced the competing demands of restraining spending against the necessity to complete the $120m wastewater project and assure water supply.

“In addition, we have taken the view that Wanganui cannot afford to stand still. We must improve our visitor experience and actively recruit new residents and visitors.

“To that end the Visitor Information Centre project down by the riverfront will be completed, and a nationwide promotional campaign be started. $350,000 has been set aside to actively market Wanganui as a great place to visit, but an even better place to live. Wanganui has a great story to tell.”

Mayor Laws said that the council’s finances “have taken a big hit from a withdrawal of government roading subsidies (estimated at $6M over the next 3 years), and Wanganui Gas’ trading woes ($3M cash injection, plus foregone $1.2M annual dividend).

“We’ve had to prioritise and re-prioritise, chase every income and ask ourselves if every dollar being spent is strictly necessary. We started with a 7%-plus rates rise but council has worked hard on that affordability issue. It is still one of the lower rate increases across New Zealand.

“The one great advantage that ratepayers have is the rates subsidy scheme. It provides up to $540 per year government money to subsidise individual ratepayers. It’s a godsend at a time like this, when money is tight and the economy is only slowly coming out of recession.”

The draft Annual Plan 2010/11 will be adopted by council on Monday and then be put out for public consultation. Plan summaries will be delivered to every householder and business address. That process should conclude in late May with council decisions and deliberations at the start of June.

ENDS