20 March 2008

Draft Annual Plan ready for public input

After months of work by elected members and staff, the Kapiti Coast District Council’s draft Annual Plan for 2008/09 is ready for further input and review from Kapiti Coast ratepayers and residents.

“I’m pleased to say that we’ve been able to maintain our essential services and systems, introduce some new initiatives and still keep the proposed average district rates increase to 5.1%, a major improvement on the 8.7% proposed in the Community Plan,” Mayor Jenny Rowan said today.

Proposed revenue from rates in 2008/09 will be $36.418million with an additional $9.7million in user charges and subsidies. Total operating revenue, after allowing for the contribution from development contributions and vested assets would be $49.621million.

“At the start of a new three year term, and with a major change in the membership and views represented on the Council, almost every existing policy and programme came under scrutiny as we worked towards a majority view on what had to be modified, reduced or expanded to reflect the changed political scene,” she said.

Key issues and major projects covered in the draft plan this year include the upcoming three-yearly review of the Community Plan, a required review of the District Plan and the introduction later this year of new solid waste initiatives, including kerbside recycling.

“In the social and cultural areas we’ve commenced working with the older persons in the district to establish a forum where their expertise and experience can be drawn on while also developing our Youth Council and a number of youth projects.

“We know there are funds available to support the work of many community groups but those funds are often hard to access. We’re going to employ a person whose role will be to assist groups to identify and access government and other funding.

“Climate change and its impacts on our coastal situation as well as stormwater planning and management are high on the priority list and work is continuing so we can make a start on the long-awaited Western Link Road later in 2008.

“Planning and fund raising will also continue on the combined Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Paraparaumu.

“In addition there are on-going programmes for road and footpaths, economic development, community facilities.

“Now we need the community’s input to the draft Plan and I urge everyone who wants to make a contribution to read the plan at the libraries or service centres, get a copy from one of our officers or check it out on the Council website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Thursday April 24 2008.

ENDS

The Summary of the draft Annual Plan will be published in The Observer on March 24 2008.

Copies of Parts 1 and 2 of the draft Annual Plan are available for reading at the Council’s service centres and in the libraries.

Copies of the Summary, Part 1 and Part 2 are on the website at http://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Democracy/DraftAnnualPlan2008-09.htm

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