Annual Plan: Informing our community

March 20, 2007

Residents and ratepayers of North Shore City have the opportunity to comment on how their council plans to run the city for the next year.

North Shore City Council today released a draft annual plan for the 07/08 financial year, which sets out the council’s priorities - and the costs of running the city. The annual plan is year two of the 10-year City Plan adopted by the council last June.

The Annual Plan submission process gives the local community an opportunity to hear what the council’s plans are for the next financial year and to give feedback.

North Shore City Council is proposing an average rates increase of 7.4 per cent for next year which includes Auckland War Memorial Museum and MOTAT levies.

This increase is to pay for major new assets and maintain our services, says Mayor George Wood.

“More than half of every rates dollar goes to continue progress in areas that are important to residents. These areas are wastewater, public transport, roads, footpaths, parks, beaches and sportsfields,” he says.

There is a four-week submission period, during which the public can have its say, which begins today (March 20) and ends on April 20. People can also hear more about the plan by attending one of the meetings in the city.

Meetings about the draft plan will be held at East Coast Bays Area Office, Glen Rd, Browns Bay on April 3; Glenfield Area Office, Bentley Ave, Glenfield on April 4; Devonport Area Office, Victoria Rd, Devonport on April 11; and Takapuna Area Office, The Strand, Takapuna on April 12. All meetings start at 7.30pm.

Mr Wood says the council is circulating 90,000 copies of the annual plan summary newsletter to every householder and box holder in North Shore City next week. He says that additional copies of the newsletter and copies of the Draft Annual Plan 2007-2008 document are available from libraries, council offices and online at www.northshorecity.govt.nz.

The summary newsletter contains a reply-paid submission form to make it easier for people to provide feedback. Submissions can also be entered on the council website until 5pm on April 20.

The form can also be used to nominate a time to present to the council’s hearings committee, which will meet during May.

Any changes will be reflected in the final, approved plan which will be adopted on June 29.

ENDS

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