Time running out to comment on draft NRC plan

Northlanders have a week left to have their say on a variety of Northland Regional Council projects proposed for the next year - including $900,000 of new spending designed to reduce flood risks.

An official month-long period for public comment on the Regional Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2008/09 ends on Tuesday 13 May.

As of today (subs: Mon 05 May) the Council has received more than 60 submissions on the Draft Plan, which generally follows a direction set out in its previously approved Long Term Council Community Plan 2006-2016.

Variations include proposed extra spending to reduce flood risks across the region, including a new targeted rate to collect roughly $100,000 annually from the flood-prone Whangaroa/Kaeo area. Subject to community approval, the funding will be used to maintain the channels of rivers and streams in that area.

The draft plan also contains provision for an extra $800,000 spending from rates to pay for individually tailored river management plans for a number of Northland catchments – most in the Far North District - deemed most at risk from flooding.

Copies of the full 120-page Draft Annual Plan and a six-page summary are available from the Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz/annualplan . The summary has also been distributed to homes throughout the region.

Submissions on the Draft Annual Plan will be considered by Councillors at hearings in early June.