Ratepayer views out on draft plan

Ratepayers have made their voices clearly heard on the council’s draft Long Term Plan.

By the close of submissions on May 16, more than 800 ratepayers had filled in a questionnaire or made submissions on the draft Long-Term Plan. And on May 22 and 23, a total of 90 individuals and organisations made oral submissions to councillors.

A proposal to cut business general rates to 2.3 times equivalent residential rates (from as much as 3.7 times) attracted support from 41 per cent of questionnaire respondents and opposition from 36 per cent. Of those who supported the reallocation of rates, 80 per cent were homeowners.

Opposition to the idea was strongest from rural residents, who would face an annual rise of 8.8 per cent. Council officers have prepared some suggested modifications to the proposal for consideration at a full council meeting on June 6 when the draft plan will be approved for viewing by external auditors. One suggestion is to offer some relief to rural ratepayers. Controlling rate increases, debt and spending were strongly backed, with support at 70 per cent, 70 per cent and 64 per cent respectively.

Respondents were supportive of another key proposal in the draft plan – bringing forward earthquake-strengthening work, which is required by law and was backed by 61 per cent of respondents. However, views were split on how to fund the $21.47 million project. Thirty-seven per cent favoured borrowing $10 million immediately and not deferring any other projects, while the same percentage favoured borrowing only $5 million and deferring some projects. The balance favoured borrowing nothing and deferring more projects.

Other key questionnaire results were:

• Residential growth to be achieved by a mixture of infill, more intensive housing (such as apartments) and “greenfield”: 62 per cent for, 27 per cent for other approaches
• Installing a public toilet in Wainuiomata: 57 per cent for, 12 per cent against. Contributing to a regional amenities fund: 46 per cent for, 37 per cent against
• Establishing a $1.15 million economic stimulus package: 44 per cent for, 31 per cent against
• Spending $120,000 on the repair of the civic fountain: 30 per cent for, 53 per cent against

After auditing, the 2012-22 plan will be approved at a meeting on June 28. At the same meeting, councillors will approve the rates for 2012-13.