Lowest rates in New Zealand

For the third year in a row, Wanganui is on target to effect the lowest annual rates increase in the country.

The Council met in full session on Monday to deliberate upon submissions received to its draft Annual Plan 2007/08 and effect a number of policy changes.

Key points/changes to emerge from the meeting were:

• The proposed annual rates increase for 2007/08 will fall from 1.8% to 1.7% per residential household
• The softwater levy of $73-$79 will reduce to just $36 per household
• The storm levy for damage caused by the 2006 storm will reduce from $50 (rural) and $45 (urban) to $40 (rural) and $35(urban)
• The soft water project will commence from 1 July 2007, and all households will start receiving the benefits by 30 June 2008 (cost savings per household have been calculated from $220 per annum)
• Council will spend an additional $200,000 on creating and upgrading city cycle ways ($80,000 council and $120,000 government subsidy)
• Castlecliff beach will get an additional $150,000 for beach grooming
• Graffiti removal budget will increase by $50,000
• The Velodrome roofing/Events Centre research study will receive $80,000
• $50,000 to combat algal bloom on Virginia Lake
• Whanganui School of Glass be directly funded with $60,000
• Wanganui Airport terminal upgrade will receive an additional $165,000
• $5000 towards the Physical Activity Programme
• Community Contracts budget increased from $50,000 to $80,000.

Mayor Laws said that Monday's meeting was "a balancing act between rates restraint and meeting additional community needs. The end result is brilliant: low rates but improved amenities".

"I am particularly pleased that the two levies have been significantly reduced – from $122 per household to just $71. When you factor in the estimated soft water savings per household then the average home will be almost $200 better off once the soft water treatment plant is completed."

Other changes to the draft 2007/08 budget were:

• Delaying the proposed Kowhai Park upgrade until agreed plans had been drawn up and community consultation completed
• Increasing tree mitigation hazard work (electricity regulations) by $50,000
• Increasing the range of CBD traffic parking to include areas of St Hill Street, Taupo Quay and Ingestre Street currently unmetered
• Removing the Boxing Day Concert ("an idea that has not worked")
• Abolishing the funding to the Arts Culture and Heritage Trust in favour of appointing a dedicated Arts Officer at the council
• Adding $75,000 to the Council's growth strategy
• Reducing increased charges on the Durie Hill elevator
• Confirming the reduced Museum budget by $60,000 to meet legal costs
• Adding $150,000 to rates to meet increased interest charges
• Adding $50,000 to the rates to meet KiwiSaver costs
• $200,000 on upgrading council information and IT systems.

Mr Laws said that the budget changes went through "in just two and half hours, and that there were only 60 submissions to the draft annual plan, gives a strong message that Council is definitely on the right track".

"That was the message we also received from the independent Community Survey poll. Wanganui people are liking the mix of low rates but improved amenities and facilities. This next 12 months will be no different.

"Compared with average annual rate increases throughout New Zealand of 7%-9% then Wanganui is again leading the country in containing rates. In the three years of this council, the average rate rises have been nil, 3% and now 1.7%. In that time inflation has increased over 9% - in real terms, Wanganui's rates have reduced by over 4.3% during the term of this council. That is exceptional!"

Have your say on the
Draft Wanganui Positive Ageing Strategy

Wanganui District Council, in consultation with Wanganui's Older Peoples Forum, has developed the Draft Positive Ageing Strategy. We need your input to complete the process.

The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is open for public comment from 15 June 2007 until 13 July 2007.

A copy of the Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is available:

• From the Customer Services Desk at the Council Building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on 349 0001.
• From the Wanganui Central City Library, Queens Park
• On this page
• By emailing us

You can provide comment in the following ways:

Post it to: Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui
Fax it to: (06) 349 0000
Deliver it to: Customer Services Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Email us
Print out the comment sheet (PDF 11KB), fill it in and return it to us

Please remember to include your name, contact details so that we may contact you if we require further clarification on what you have made comment on.

Proposed Trade Wastes Bylaw 2007
Have Your Say

The Wanganui District Council proposes to introduce a Trade Wastes Bylaw.

The Council has previously had a Trade Wastes Bylaw No 59 that was adopted in 1988 and this was scheduled for review in the 2006-2007 year. The primary reason for the proposed draft Bylaw is the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant providing biological treatment and ultraviolet disinfection.

Council has determined that the most appropriate way to address the management of discharges from trade wastes into the new wastewater treatment plant is by way of Bylaw in the proposed form.

Submissions may be made on the proposal.

Copies of the Proposed Trade Wastes Bylaw Statement of Proposal, a Summary of the Proposal and submission forms are available from the Customer Services desk at the Wanganui District Council Municipal Building, 101 Guyton Street, and at the Public Library, Queens Park, during normal opening hours. The documents are also available on this page, email us or telephone Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to –

The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 6 July 2007.

A reminder that applications for a rates rebate for the current rating year must be made by Friday, June 29. If you think you may eligible for a rebate, please come into our office and staff will assist you with this process.

The current rating year is from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. Any application for a rebate must be made within this period.

To date, more than 2000 ratepayers have qualified for assistance and received a rebate toward their rates.

Before we can process your application, we need to see:

• Your Community Services Card.
• Evidence of all income (before tax) for last tax year (this includes income from interest, pensions etc).
• Your Wanganui District Council rates notice for 2006/07 and your Horizons Regional Council rates notice for 2006/07.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• The ratepayer's income for the tax year 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 and
• The amount of rates and
• The number of dependents.

Vacancies

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Information Services Project Administration Officer
Applications close 24 June 2007

Property Information Officer
Applications close 25 June 2007

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Monday, June 25 (4.00pm) (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in June.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.