12 May 2016

Media Release

Tasman Confirms 1% Rates Income Increase for 2016

The Tasman District Council has adopted its Annual Plan for 2016, confirming a 1% rates income increase and progress on projects including the Golden Bay Community Facility, Queen Street infrastructure and design improvements, and stormwater, wastewater and water supply upgrades.

The 1% rates income increase equates to a total rates rise of less than $1 a week for 86% of ratepayers.

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne said councillors and staff had travelled around the District throughout April to discuss the plan with local communities. The conversations held with residents would be used to help develop future work programmes.

“We were able to show that our strong focus on keeping spending and rates increases in check is working - with a low overall rates increase and reduced debt levels to those forecast.

“It was reassuring to have most people endorse the prudent financial strategies we’re following. That was followed up by a firm reminder, though, that’s it’s not just the big-ticket items that affect our communities. We were told in no uncertain terms that the small stuff matters too – that means making sure the roadside grass is cut at the right times, and that gravel roads are adequately maintained, among other things.

“We were also reminded that, although the provision of good quality infrastructure is a core council function, it is the other things that councils do, like libraries and community facilities, that create the heart of our communities and make them the wonderful places that we all want to live in.

“As a result, we are going to look at providing $150,000 in year one of the draft Long Term Plan 2018-2028 budget for a feasibility study into a new library for Motueka. That will enable community support for a hub proposal at Motueka to be assessed.”

Mayor Kempthorne said the key challenges the Council had identified in its Long Term Plan for 2015-2025 remained the same – water management, natural disaster recovery, population growth, rates, debt and regional co-operation.

The Annual Plan 2016 includes:

• 1% Rates Income Rise - Down from 2.96% forecast in the LTP in the year 2016/2017

• $32.5m Capital Expenditure - On target at $32.5m as forecast for 2016/2017

• $105.9m Operating Expenditure - Down from $106.3m forecast for 2016/2017

• $166.4m Net Debt - Down from $178.6m forecast for 2016/2017

• $111.6m Income - Down from $113.1m forecast for 2016/2017

More information on the Annual Plan 2016 is available on the Council’s website,tasman.govt.nz.

ENDS

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