Zoo, Pools, Waters & Transport 10-Year Plan decisions made

Savings of $808,000 and increased revenue of $1.18 million across five core areas of Council business covering water, waste and transportation were agreed yesterday for taking forward into Council’s draft 10-Year Plan.

Council agreed the savings and revenue gains at the meeting, one of a series reviewing the entire business of Council to making operational savings of $14.5 million in order to stabilise the city’s debt and rates.

In addition, changes to swimming facilities and the Zoo were agreed and these will also feed into the draft 10-Year Plan which will go out for public consultation from next March. These include increased fees for learn to swim and the gym, increased entry to the pools and Zoo and reduced operating hours at the pools over winter. The closure of the Municipal Pool and exploration of future uses for it were also agreed, with Councillors noting the ageing pool leaks, is not well used and is in need of a costly upgrade.

Some of the changes agreed to core Council services include reducing after hours responses to minor non-urgent stormwater, wastewater and water services, reductions in the frequency of cleaning drains and channels, less frequent on-street landscape planting and maintenance, patching rather than replacement of some pavements, and reduced city cleaning activities.

Fee increases for trade waste charges, water drawn from hydrants, traffic management plan approvals and out of district wastewater disposal charges were also agreed.

Decisions on user pays charging through the use of rubbish bags and water metering was held over for consideration at the same time as rating review submissions, in December.

Seven members of the public took the opportunity to attend the public forum at the start of the meeting and share their views on matters being discussed.

Mayor Julie Hardaker says: “Views expressed through the public forum at the beginning of each meeting have been helpful to Councillors in making these decisions, and with these decisions the Council continues to be on track to deliver the financial goals set at the beginning of the meeting process.”