Proposed direction for next 10 years set

Horizons Regional Council adopted its consultation document and supporting information for the proposed 2015-25 Long-term Plan today.

The proposed 2015-25 Long-term Plan sets out how Council plans to manage the Region’s resources for the next 10 years. Chairman Bruce Gordon says rates will be impacted differently per district due to a number of factors.

“Changes in capital value, the completion of the Lower Whanganui Flood Protection Scheme, removal of the Animal Health Board funding and weed harvester operations scheduled for Lake Horowhenua will impact each district in different ways,” says Mr Gordon.

“Some districts will see an average increase to rates by 3.6 per cent. However, there is a wide variety of rate changes due to these factors, ranging from a 20 per cent decrease to a 10 per cent increase in different districts.

When taking all factors into consideration we are forecasting rates will in fact decrease across the Region on average by 0.01 per cent.”

The consultation document, which will be distributed to letterboxes throughout the Region from 13 April, summaries key issues in the proposed Plan. More detail on each of these issues can be found within the supporting information at www.horizons.govt.nz

“The issues we have identified within the consultation document are what we believe will be of greatest interest to our community. However this list is not finalised so we seek community feedback to make sure our priorities are the right ones,” says Mr Gordon.

“To date the key issues are weed harvesting of Lake Horowhenua, the Palmerston North Bus Network Review, exiting of the Road Safety Activity, changes in how the Animal Health Board is funded, consideration of increased SLUI funding and information on guiding land use decisions.

“If there is an issue we haven’t identified that particularly concerns you please get in touch. On the back of the consultation document you will find a submission form where you can write down your thoughts,” he says.

Horizons’ proposed 2015-25 Long-term Plan is available for public consultation from 2 April until 4 May 2015. An electronic copy of the consultation document will be available on the Council’s website by 2 April and hard copies will be available at Horizons’ offices.

Submissions can be made by:

• Filling out the submission form on the back of the consultation document

• Writing a letter to Freepost 217922, Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442

• Submitting online at www.horizons.govt.nz

• Emailing submissions@horizons.govt.nz

For further information please visit www.horizons.govt.nz or phone Horizons on 0508 800 800.

Ends

© Scoop Media