Successful year for region and Council

23 September

The Taranaki Regional Council today reported on a successful 2012/2013 year, saying the region’s environment and economy are both in relatively good shape.

The Chairman, David MacLeod, says the regional community has good reason to be confident and optimistic about the future.

He says the Council’s core business touches on important elements that make this region what it is, ranging from the use and protection of natural resources to the provision of services and infrastructure.

The Council today formally adopted its 2012/2013 Annual Report. Highlights include:

Some of the best monitoring results yet in terms of the ecological health trends and the physical and chemical state of the region’s waterways “These results demonstrate the whole region’s commitment to environmental improvement through involvement in the Council’s key work programmes,” says Mr MacLeod.

The distribution of 500,000-plus native plants under the Council’s flagship Riparian Management Programme for planting alongside ringplain waterways, taking the total to more than 3 million plants. This programme was recognised nationally with a Green Ribbon Award in June 2013.

The granting of 446 resource consents, the highest annual total in almost a decade. For the 13th consecutive year, all resource consents were issued within statutory timeframes. The consents enabled economic investment estimated at more than $600 million.

Almost 550,000 passenger trips being made on the Citylink bus service, which is provided by the Council through contractor Tranzit Coachlines.

Visitor numbers at the Council’s three regional gardens, Tupare, Pukeiti and Hollard Gardens, totalling 60,866, compared with 53,698 the previous year. Public and private events totalled 151 over all three properties, compared with 107 the previous year.

The Council assuming effective ownership of Yarrow Stadium with the transfer of control of the Taranaki Stadium Trust in June 2013 – within days of the All Blacks-France rugby test match that underscored the value of this amenity to the region.

The Council budgeting for a 1.5% rates rise in the 2013-2014 year on the back of a zero rates rise in 2012-2013, and finishing the 2012-2013 year with an operating surplus of $1.64 million and no public debt.

The Annual Report is now being printed and will be published on the Council’s website, www.trc.govt.nz, and will be made available at District Council libraries and service centres throughout the region during October. A summary will also be published in community newspapers.

ENDS

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