Greetings,
Date: 14 February, 2013

21 Feb deadline looms for public say on Draft Annual Plan

Time is almost up for people to have their say on the Northland Regional Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2013/14 - including a proposal to more than halve a previously signalled general rates increase.

Better-than-expected investment earnings and a close look at its budget have enabled the regional council to propose cutting a previously signalled 6.45 percent general rates increase down to three percent.

If adopted, the proposed change would see a Whangarei district property with a $225,000 land value facing a total GST-inclusive regional council rates bill of $235.40 for the year – or $4.87 a week. (SUBS: please note, the TOTAL rates bill for the entire year will be $235.40/$4.87 a week, NOT the increase.)

A similar property in the Kaipara district would attract a $186.60 annual rates bill ($3.59 per week) and in the Far North $175.65 ($3.38 a week). (All three figures exclude river management rates and the Kaitaia transport rate which are only levied on ratepayers in affected areas.)

Full detail of the proposed smaller increase – and a variety of other work the council has planned over the 12 months from 01 July – is outlined in the Draft Annual Plan, which was released for public comment last month.

A 12-page summary of the draft plan – complete with a submission form – as well as copies of the 140-page full draft is available from all council offices or via the council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

Submissions can be made until 3pm on Thursday 21 February.

ENDS

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