June 23, 2011
Capital works main driver behind rates increase

Major capital works are a significant driver behind the cost of the 2011/12 Annual Plan approved by Council today.

“There is no getting around the fact that Council has a substantial amount of work on its books at present,” said Mayor Jenny Rowan. “This won’t come as a surprise to residents, as the work has been flagged for some time.”

The major projects for 2011/12 include further work on developing a dependable water supply for Raumati, Paraparaumu and Waikanae residents, significant storm water infrastructure investments (including the multi-million dollar upgrade for the Raumati Beach CBD), coastal protection work, town centre upgrades for Ōtaki and Paraparaumu, the building of the Aquatic Centre, and refurbishment of the Civic Building.

“This work is in addition to our on-going investment in roads and pavements, above and below ground infrastructure, asset renewal programmes, and general service delivery.”

When Council first began work on the Draft Annual Plan for 2011/12, it was looking initially at a rates rise of 9.5%. Council is always concerned about the issue of affordability. During the submissions on the Draft, some submitters, including older members of the community, also raised this issue.

“As a result of a number of discussions, we have managed to pare this increase back to 6.68%. This equates to an average dollar increase per rateable property of $2.37 a week.”

Mayor Rowan said savings were achieved by reviewing loan servicing costs, reviewing the capital works programme for 2011/12, and savings achieved by the rescheduling of capital works set down for 2010/11.

“None of my colleagues are happy about the size of the rates increase. However, I need to emphasise that this Council is determined to move projects forward and get work done that provides value for rates invested.

“Some people have questioned whether the Aquatic Centre should proceed. The reality is a substantial amount of fund raising involving many residents has been underway for some time. Significant funding support is coming from the private sector with some still to be announced.

“A cost-efficient complex has been designed, and work has begun on the site. This project is already well down the track, and there will never be a cheaper time to build it. The Raumati Pool is clearly past its use-by date.”

Mayor Rowan said questions had also been raised about the timing of the refurbishment of the Civic building in Rimu Road. “The building is a rabbit warren; it is inefficient; it cannot house all Council support staff, and there is no access to the Chamber for disabled people. This is contrary to the principles of good local government.

“A great deal of work has been done to wring the best possible design for the money available. We have a building we can move into while the refurbishment is underway. This is a rare opportunity.”

Mayor Rowan thanked those who had made submissions during the consultation process. Money had been found within existing budgets to fund some of the requests made. Letters would be going out to all submitters in the near future.

The main features of the expenditure programme for 2011/12 are:

Access and Transport
budget for work associated with the Expressway decision ($0.3 million);
strategic property purchases ($0.18 million);
road resealing – annual programmed work ($1.33 million);
footpath upgrades – further new and replacement concrete footpaths ($0.393 million);
Walkways-Cycleways-Bridleways – continued work on the important connections under this strategy ($0.23 million);
road reconstruction Kāpiti / Rimu Road intersection upgrade ($0.899 million).

Coastal Management
Coastal Restoration Projects ($0.127 million).

Community Facilities
Aquatic Centre – commence construction ($8.74 million);
Civic Centre / Council Chambers refurbishment ($3.72 million).

Development Management
Local town centre upgrades
- complete Ōtaki Town Centre ($0.678 million);
- commence Raumati Beach Town Centre ($1.1 million);
- strategic land purchases ($3.84 million).

Governance and Tāngata Whenua
Information Technology Projects ($0.71 million).

Libraries, Arts and Museums
books and materials – programmed increase to book and media stock ($0.42 million);
design phase of the Mahara Gallery/Waikanae Library Upgrade ($0.7 million).

Parks and Open Space
Marine Gardens upgrade ($0.66 million) (part of Raumati Beach CBD upgrade overall project);
Memorial Park Ōtaki Main Street upgrade ($0.27 million);
Hockey Turf Pavilion – Council’s total contribution to toilets/changing rooms is $0.4 million ($0.5 million in total).

Solid Waste
Landfill aftercare costs ($0.13 million).

Stormwater Management
Ocean Road Stormwater ($0.48 million);
Waikakariki Gravel Extraction ($0.4 million);
Raumati Beach CBD Stormwater upgrade ($2.769 million).

Wastewater Management
Milne Drive Wastewater Replacement ($0.26 million);
Hinemoa Street Investigation and Upgrade ($0.69 million);
Rauparaha Street Major Pump Station ($0.21 million).

Water Management
Additional Water Supply/Storage Capacity ($2.425 million);
Ōtaki Water Reservoir ($0.45 million);
Treatment Plant Renewal Paraparaumu/Waikanae ($0.26 million);
Bores Renewal Ōtaki ($0.22 million).

ENDS

© Scoop Media