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Draft Annual Plan - submissions due Monday

Taupo District Council

Tuesday 15 April 2008, 2:25PM

By Taupo District Council

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TAUPO

Councillors are calling residents of the Taupo District to have their say and get submissions in on Council’s Draft Annual Plan by 5pm Monday, 21 April 2008.

The 2008/09 Draft Annual Plan was adopted by Council on 11 March 2008 has been out for public consultation since 17 March.

 As well as setting the rates for the year ahead, the Annual Plan states the activities that Council plan to undertake, the associated costs and the deviations from the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP). Public open days were held around the District last week for the community to find out what Council have planned for the next year, review key projects and provide feedback.

 Mayor Rick Cooper said he was very pleased with the turnout to the open days. “We had a couple of hundred people come along to the open days which was great to see – it shows the community is keen to have their say.”

 There is still a chance for residents to provide feedback on the Draft Plan via the submissions process. Submissions can be made verbally by phoning 0800 ASK TDC (080 275 832) as well as via the standard channels including written, faxed or online at www.taupo.govt.nz . Submissions will be heard from 5 – 9 May.

 Within the Draft Plan, Council have been successful in keeping the rates increase as low as possible for Taupo District Ratepayers. The average District rates increase has been kept to 4.02% which is significantly lower than the 6.46% forecast in Council’s ten year plan. This is made up of a 3.47% increase within the Taupo/Kaingaroa – Mangakino/Pouakani (TKMP) area and 5.80% within the Turangi/Tongariro (TT) area. The Turangi/Tongariro area has seen an increase due to unforeseen costs associated with the Aquatic Centre upgrade.

 Following the adoption of this year’s Annual Plan Council will review the long term plan (LTCCP) which occurs every three years and provides the long-term vision. Council takes stock of what has happened over the past few years and updates the LTCCP to address the next ten years.