Hutt City sets Long Term Plan 2015 - 2025

Hutt City Council decided the key projects of its Long Term Plan at a Community Plan Committee meeting on Thursday 4 June. This followed from the consideration of over 600 submissions from residents on the proposed Long Term Plan.

This year’s Plan sees fewer projects than last year’s Annual Plan. Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace explains, “This Plan continues the positive momentum for growth and rejuvenation that is underway to create a vibrant city. We are also conscious of the need to be fiscally responsible, and are set to have one of the lowest rates increases in the region.”

The programme of work that received the greatest support in the provisional Long Term Plan is a boost to cycle and walkway network projects. One of these projects is the walk and cycle pathways connecting each side of Wainuiomata Hill, joining up with the pedestrian overbridge that is currently under construction. The upgrade of the Wainuiomata Hill will now include a new viewing platform, with $200,000 committed to the project.

Council has also allocated funds for completion of a full cycleway loop on the valley floor and the building of the Eastern Bays shared pathway, however both of these projects remain subject to subsidy funding.

Science and technology projects have an additional $500,000 allocated. This area is a focus for Council, and also saw strong support from submitters to the proposed Long Term Plan. The announcement comes during Council’s first HUTT Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Manufacturing (STEMM) Festival.

The proposed Regional Bowls Centre in Naenae has $2million in additional funding. This was one of the more debated projects in the Long Term Plan.

The addition of a gymnasium to the Huia Pool upgrade was also debated, with the final decision to install a fitness centre rather than gym to alleviate concerns raised in submissions.

The average rates increase for Hutt City residential ratepayers is set at 2.79 per cent – this is expected to be one of the lowest in the Wellington region and Council’s debt level is maintained below its annual income.

Hutt City Council CEO Tony Stallinger says “We want to see this city grow and we do need to invest in order to realise this, however we don’t want to place an unreasonable burden of rates increases or debt on our residents. We believe we’ve achieved this balance, and are pleased to have one of the lowest rates increases in the region and good maintenance of our debt level.”

ENDS

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