JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kia ora and welcome to the Wairoa District Council Draft Annual Plan for 2011/2012, year three of the 10 Year Plan.
A change in this year’s draft Annual Plan is the increase of the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC) – a fixed amount that every ratepayer pays, regardless of the value of their individual property – and a corresponding decrease in the Services rate.
The change is because the Wairoa Community Centre operation and maintenance funding ($250,000) has been removed from the Services rate (which is worked out depending on the value of your property) and added to the UAGC. The rationale for adding the cost to the UAGC is that the Centre is available for anyone in the district, no matter where they live.
When looking at the rating chart in this year’s plan, the change in the UAGC is reflected as a rise in rates for some areas, and a decrease in others. This is because the Cost of Services rate has decreased, but the UAGC has increased, affecting people in different ways.
The UAGC represents a portion of a property’s rates. The rest is determined on factors relating to each individual property.
Every ratepayer will shortly receive an assessment of rates for their property based on this draft Annual Plan. This of course may alter before final rates accounts are prepared as Council has yet to consider submissions to the Plan. We know this is a complicated business, and are happy to discuss the matter further should anyone need further explanation.
Other highlights of this plan include significant advancement on the Mahia Beach Community Wastewater Scheme. Resource consent has been granted and staff are now beginning the assessment of individual properties to determine their on-site needs. At the same time, planning of the project itself is well underway.
Opoutama’s wastewater scheme and the Opoutama road deviation have also received consent, although this has been appealed.
Wairoa’s sewerage reticulation also features highly in this plan, with investigation underway to solve the environmental problems caused by an aging network.
Waireka Road’s ‘staircase’ is up for sealing and safety improvements are planned for the entrance to Wairoa College.
Money has been earmarked for a much-needed makeover of the Wairoa Community Centre, as well as an upgrade to the dog pound.
Please read the draft Annual Plan and feel free to make a submission to the Council with any ideas you may have on improving Council services to your community. We look forward to your input.
To find out more about the Annual Plan or Long Term Council Community Plan 2009 - 2019 you can contact the Wairoa District Council on (06) 838 7309.
The Annual Plan is published in the Adobe Reader format. You will need to install the Adobe Reader program on your computer in order to read the Plan. If you do not already have the Adobe Reader installed you can download it from the Adobe website.
Documents
Annual Plan For The Year Ending 30 June 2012
