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Draft Annual Plan and LTP amendment approved for consultation

MARCH 21, 2013.

A significant number of projects aimed at taking the community forward are outlined in the Draft Annual Plan for 2013/14 approved by Council today for public consultation.

Council has also approved an amendment to the Long Term Plan which could result in changes to Council’s involvement in the sale of rubbish bags and kerbside recycling. Council will be seeking public feedback on this proposed amendment as well.

Mayor Jenny Rowan said the Draft Annual Plan 2013/14 contained an impressive list of work that built on the programme outlined in last year’s Long Term Plan.

“It’s a programme that will benefit every resident in one shape or form, whether they are enjoying new walking tracks or using the library services or the civic swimming pools.

“But it is also a programme of work that has been closely scrutinised by councillors to ensure every dollar spent works to the benefit of residents.”

The Draft Annual Plan outlines a capital works programme totalling $38.8 million. The major items include $6.5 million on local roads, $3 million on stormwater upgrades, $3.7 million on wastewater projects, and $17.3 million on water supply projects including the River Recharge at $6.1 million, the Waikanae Water Treatment Plant upgrade and renewal work at $6.9 million, and $ 3.5 million on water meter installation.

Just over a million dollars has been earmarked for community facilities, $434,000 for new library books, $211,000 for town centre development, $370,000 to cover the cost of decommissioning the Raumati swimming pool and redeveloping the site for another purpose, $1.35 million for parks and reserves work, $600,000 for a wastewater upgrade in Ōtaki and $494,000 for a wastewater upgrade at the Paraparaumu treatment plant.

The Draft Plan includes work on the long term look and design of Kāpiti Road; work on the Waikanae Town Centre design in conjunction with the Waikanae Community Board; a community facilities study; work on furthering plans for a Youth Centre; and initiatives with other agencies to reduce crime and improve community safety.

“The Draft Annual Plan is workmanlike. There are no frills, but we are making progress on what we promised to undertake in the Long Term Plan,” said Mayor Rowan.

“A significant amount of money and effort is going into securing a dependable water supply for residents – an issue that has been dogging our community for too many years. We are well down this track now with a resource consent application before the Greater Wellington Regional Council for stage one of the Waikanae River recharge scheme.

“We have also bought land for a future storage dam and we are almost half way through the installation of district-wide water meters as part of a major water conservation initiative.

“A number of initiatives are underway in economic development; the 10-year review of the District Plan is well underway; the Coastlands Aquatic Centre is nearing completion and Council has already moved back into the redeveloped Civic Administration building.

“We are making considerable progress across a number of fronts.”

Mayor Rowan said an important change was being proposed in the area of solid waste. It had become clear Council could not compete with private providers in the supply of rubbish bags and kerbside recycling. Council was therefore proposing to exit this service in June. “We are keen to hear the views of residents on this. If we take over kerbside recycling, then the cost could amount to $800,000 a year.”

The Draft Annual Plan signals an average rates increase of 4.7% for the 2013/14 financial year, well down on the 6.9% forecast in last year’s Long Term Plan.

“This is a very good effort given the 4.7% contains an allowance of 2.7% for the Local Government Inflation Index leaving just 2% to cover increased debt servicing costs, maintenance and depreciation costs for the $38.8 million of capital works. The Local Government Inflation Index is higher than the standard household CPI because of the importance of movements in construction costs.

“For us to keep the average rates increase at 4.7% for this coming year (2013/14) on the back of a $50 million capital works programme this financial year is a great achievement,” said Mayor Rowan.

A summary of the Draft Annual Plan will appear in the Kapiti Observer on March 28 when submissions open. Copies of the full Plan will be available on the Council website and printed copies from the Council building in Rimu Road and from service centres and public libraries.

Submissions close on April 29.

ENDS

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