June 30, 2009

Media Release (For Immediate Release)

Council Approves Plan

Waitakere City Council has formally approved its Long Term Council Community Plan, which includes its budget for the next financial year.

Waitakere's council controlled rates increase next year is 2.97 percent (or $1 a week for the average household).

External levies (for organisations like MoTaT and the Auckland Zoo), which are outside of the council's control and which it is required by law to collect, amount to 65 cents per week for the average property.

“In most cases people pay more a month for single services like power or telephones than they do for rates and all the services that come with that- things like roads, parks, libraries and so on,” says Janet Clews, chairperson of the Council’s Long Term Council Community Plan and Annual Plan Committee

The budget has also been to the Auckland Transition Agency and Audit New Zealand for approval.

Over the next 10 years the budget includes $443.7 million for the extensive development of New Lynn and what is known as the Northern Strategic Growth Area, from Westgate to Hobsonville.

The revitalisation of New Lynn alone is expected to generate 12,000 new jobs.

The budget also includes $1.74 million for redevelopment of the Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre and $7.1 million to build a new art gallery next to Lopdell House in Titirangi was brought forward in the 10-year plan. After receiving a number of public submissions the Council decided to retain its mobile library bus.

The Council received 353 submissions on its plan.

"We put a lot of hard work into getting the balance between being fiscally responsible in tough economic times while still investing in the future growth and development of the area,” says Mrs Clews.

She adds that the vast bulk of the Council’s budget is being spent on “the basics”- things like roading, parks, libraries and stormwater management.

Full copies of the 10 year plan will be available on www.waitakere.govt.nz within the next few days.

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