Draft Long-Term Plan open for public submissions

Environment Canterbury’s draft Long-Term Plan for 2012-22 is now open for public submissions. People in the Canterbury region can have their say on any part of the draft Plan. Submissions close on April 30.

The draft Long-Term Plan includes the Council’s draft Annual Plan and budget for the coming year, 2012/13.

“Our main aim this year is to set the general rate collected from the Canterbury community as a whole in the coming financial year at the same level as it is currently. This means that the total general rates across the region will not increase, though there will be both decreases and increases to individual ratepayers because of changes in property valuations and other factors,” said Commissioner David Bedford. “This is particularly important to us given the additional burdens on the Canterbury community caused by the earthquakes.”

Additionally, the trend for the 10 years of the Long Term Plan shows a decline in total expenditure when allowances for likely inflation are backed out.

Although general rates for the coming year, are pegged at 2011/12 levels across Canterbury, there are some local variations in targeted rates.

The first is the proposal to increase the targeted rate in greater Christchurch to help rebuild the Metro passenger transport system. The earthquakes had a significant impact on the Council’s ability to operate an efficient and cost-effective Metro service. As a result, services need to be reviewed to achieve an economically viable service which meets people’s changing needs and contributes to the city’s rebuild.

“We have made a lot of progress in rebuilding parts of the service and encouraging people back to buses, but revenue is likely to be down by $5 million over the 2011/2012 year, largely as a result of patronage lost, particularly in the months after February 22 and other changes forced on Metro,” said Commissioner Bedford. “We are proposing an increase in targeted rates because we think Christchurch people want to maintain an excellent public transport system. We urge the public to make submissions about whether they support this view or not.”

The changes proposed for passenger transport mean that the Environment Canterbury Metro rate in Christchurch will increase by about $23 in 2012/13 on an average $400,000 Christchurch property, from $107 currently to $130 annually.

The second increase to targeted rates is to continue to build the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, the Commissioners’ top work priority. Significant progress has been achieved in implementing a shared vision for water management in Canterbury, which will contribute to significant economic growth and wealth generation for the region. To continue this momentum now requires additional resources. The effect of this increased funding on a $400,000 Christchurch property would mean a rise of $5 in targeted rate, from $14 currently to $19 in the coming year.

Third, the community has also asked the Council to focus on enhancing the health of the region’s freshwater ecosystems. Government funds of more than $6 million from its Fresh Start for Freshwater programme will help in the restoration of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, Central Canterbury, and Wainono Lagoon, South Canterbury, both wetlands of significance. This funding, together with funding from industry (Fonterra) and Ng?i Tahu, will enable substantial progress to be made in enhancing Canterbury’s freshwater ecosystems in the coming years. The council is also proposing to increase funding to restore freshwater biodiversity in coming years.

The Long-Term Plan and accompanying submission form can be viewed and downloaded at www.ecan.govt.nz/LTP or a copy can be sourced via Customer Services on 0800 324 636 (ask for a copy or a CD to be sent to you). The Long-Term Plan is also available to view at city and district council offices, service centres and main libraries in Canterbury. A summary of the Long-Term Plan, also including a submission form, is being sent to every household in Canterbury as part of Environment Canterbury’s Living Here newsletter.

For further information: Environment Canterbury, Media Liaison: 027 221 5259.



Ten-year funding snapshot:

· Environment Canterbury’s draft Long-Term Plan for 2012-22 is based on a total operating budget of $1.6 billion over 10 years.

· A significant portion of this budget is to be funded by rates, with $479 million coming from general rates and $406 million from targeted rates.

· User-pays income of $497 million and grants of $241 million are also major sources of funding. Interest and other income of $16 million (excluding insurance proceeds) will also be received.