Last Chance to Comment on City's Draft Long-Term Plan

Time is running out to comment on Wellington City Council's draft Long-Term Council Community Plan.

Consultation began on 16 April and submissions need to be in by 5.00pm next Monday 18 May.
The draft plan is important because it determines what the Council will do over the next three years and provides a guide for the next seven. It contains information on everything the Council is responsible for, explaining what we do and why we do it.

The approach the Council is proposing will keep the 2009/10 rates around the level of inflation, help ensure the city doesn't lose momentum and maintain infrastructure and most services at current levels.

The work and proposals outlined in the draft plan would result in an average real rates increase of 2.38 percent for the coming financial year. However the increase for individual property owners will vary.

As well as continuing to provide the hundreds of services required to keep the city running, the Council is proposing to invest in a number of areas including putting artificial turf on more of the city's sportsfields, building an indoor community sports centre and improving the bus lane network. To keep rates affordable, modest cuts to some services and some increases in user fees and charges are also proposed.

The Council sets user fees and charges to cover a proportion of the cost of operating some services. This is to help ensure that those who directly benefit from services pay an appropriate proportion of increasing costs.
Draft plans, submission forms and more information about the plan are available from libraries or online in the Public Input section of the website or by phoning (04) 499 4444.