1 April 2015

Consultation on Long Term Plan underway, indicative rates proposed for 2015/16

Residents are encouraged to have their say about what major projects should be funded in Lower Hutt over the next decade. Hutt City Council’s proposed Long Term Plan 2015 – 2025 consultation document will be open for discussion over the month of April.

Chief Executive Tony Stallinger states “Last year Council and our community agreed that we needed to make a big investment in the growth and rejuvenation of Hutt City. This investment can be seen in the large number of projects in the 2014/15 Annual Plan for the city. Because of the extent of work already underway we don’t propose a significant level of new projects this year”.

Projects up for consultation in this year’s Long Term Plan include:

• $9 million toward the Eastern Bays Shared Path between Lowry Bay and Days Bay. **

• $3 million towards the acceleration of city-wide cycle network upgrades. **

• An additional $2 million toward the Regional Bowls Centre in Naenae, funded through asset sales.

• $500,000 toward city-wide science and technology projects.

• $200,000 for a viewing platform at the top of Wainuiomata Hill.

• $100,000 each toward progressing Petone and Wainuiomata Sportsville projects.

** The dates of these two projects have been brought forward, and will proceed only if Council receive an expected subsidy through NZTA

Mr Stallinger says, “Our communities’ opinions certainly influence the decisions we make. I encourage everyone to get informed on this draft plan and give us feedback.”

Council have also proposed rates levels for the year ahead. Average Rates proposed by Hutt City Council will increase by 1.8% in the 2015/16 year; average Residential Rates will increase by 2.79% (that’s an increase of approximately $57 per annum on a property valued at $373,000), it is proposed that Central Business and Suburban Business rates will see a slight decrease of -1.08% and -0.37% respectively.

Council also propose amending debt levels to a maximum of $125 million in 2020, 2025 and 2030. Changing borrowing limits will allow Council to keep rate increases down, whilst still maintaining a Standard and Poor’s AA credit rating. The proposed debt level is lower than the level of Council’s annual income. Council currently maintains $1.4 billion of assets from an annual income of $140 million.

Council also consults on the draft Infrastructure Strategy over the month of April. Released this week, it is the fourth and final key long-term strategy to be confirmed.

The community are encouraged to get informed and have their say. Copies of the Long Term Plan consultation document were inserted in all copies of the Hutt News on Tuesday 31 March.

In addition copies of this and the draft Infrastructure Strategy can be picked up from any of the eight Hutt City libraries, or the Hutt City Council admin building at 531 High Street. Alternatively they can be viewed online at huttcity.govt.nz/LTP.

The community have until Thursday 30 April at 5pm to have their say. People who make a submission are also welcome to present to the Mayor and Councillors in late May. After hearing and reviewing all feedback Council will meet in early June to make final decisions on the Long Term Plan 2015 – 2025.

ENDS

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