23 February 2006

Council Launches Long Term Plan

The Rodney District Council is taking the public on board as it charts the district's direction for the next 10 years.

The Council, at its meeting on 23 February, approved the Draft Long Term Plan which lists for public comment the plans and projects it hopes to implement between now and 2016.

This is the second draft long term plan written by the council. The first, three years ago, was viewed as an appropriate blueprint that reflected our commitment to Vision Rodney, council CEO, Vijaya Vaidyanath, said "This document delivers on Vision Rodney while taking a phased approach of consolidating, rationalising, planning and prioritising."

Councils are required to produce a new long term plan every three years, and to open those plans to public consultation and submissions.

Ms Vaidyanath promises that the consultation process for the latest plan will be both "extensive and enlightening." She expects many of the key points of the plan-transportation, water and wastewater, debt and targeted rates-to provoke intense pubic interest and debate.

That is something the council will welcome, she says.

The Rodney District Council Long Term Plan, which incorporates this year's Annual Budget, is available for viewing at council offices, libraries, service centres and on the Rodney District Council website www.rodney.govt.nz. A summary of the plan will be distributed to all households in mid-March.

There is also a series of public meetings to help inform the community on the key issues in the plan. Dates and venues for those meetings are:

Thursday 16 March Helensville - Helensville War Memorial Hall
Monday 20 March Orewa - Council Chambers (entry through main door and lift)
Tuesday 21 March Wellsford - Wellsford Community Centre Lounge
Wednesday 22 March Manly - Whangaparaoa School Hall
Tuesday 28 March Kumeu - Kumeu Community Centre
Wednesday 29 March Warkworth - Catholic Church Hall

Public submissions to the plan close on Friday, 14 April at 5.00pm.

ENDS

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