Record number of Annual Plan submissions received

More than 1600 submissions have been received for Hamilton City Council’s Proposed 2011/12 Annual Plan.

In total 1605 submissions were received during the period from 21 March to 21 April 2011 – making it Council’s biggest Proposed Annual Plan/LTCCP submission process in over 10 years.

The main issues referred to in the submissions include the proposed cycling velodrome (over 900 submissions), the proposed Hamilton to Auckland passenger train service (over 200 submissions), requests to remove fluoride from Hamilton’s water supply (over 100 submissions) and the establishment of Council Controlled Organisations (over 30 submissions).

Requests have also been received for a playground to be built at Te Huia Drive Reserve and for a sprinkler and irrigation system at Ashurst Park. A petition with over 600 signatures was also received requesting an upgrade to the Ashurst Park Playground.

There were also a significant number of submissions of a financial nature, covering issues such as the proposed 8% rates increase, Events Sponsorship Fund, Council’s financial management and suggested cost-cutting measures.

Hamilton mayor Julie Hardaker said it is pleasing to see the public engage and participate in this process.

“The proposals put forward in the 2011/12 Annual Plan are the first step in addressing Council’s financial situation, so therefore it is important to receive input from the community to ensure we are on the right track.”

Hearings for submissions have been set down for 10-12 May, with around 200 people wishing to be heard in support of their written submissions.

The submissions will be made available at www.hamilton.co.nz/apsubmissions by Wednesday.

The total number of submissions received during the 2010/11 Annual Plan process was 184.