NPDC’s annual budget for the coming year (1 July – 30 June 2020) has been approved with the focus remaining on improving and future-proofing core infrastructure while delivering value for money for ratepayers.

The Council Meeting on 21 May adopted the 2019/20 Annual Plan which includes a reduced rates rise from approximately 5% to 4.6%. For the average residential ratepayer that’s about 3.82%.

“We’re pleased that careful financial management means the required rates rise will be lower than we expected in the 10-Year Plan. Our residents want to see us focusing on core infrastructure and we believe we’re doing that with a huge range of investments in our three waters, roads and our journey to Zero Waste 2040. We’re working towards Building a Lifestyle Capital and making a tangible difference to the lives of the people in our district,” says New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom.

The lower-than-expected rates rise follows the general rates operating surplus for 2017/18 of $320,000, the Perpetual Investment Fund making a return of $21 million and Standard and Poor’s reconfirmed NPDC’s financial rating as ‘AA/A-1’, the highest a local government body in New Zealand can get.

Key projects for the district include:
• New reservoirs at Henwood and Mountain roads as part of $8.4m invested in drinking water.

• $7m on improvements to the New Plymouth Waste Water Treatment Plant and pumping stations.

• $850,000 for stormwater projects including work in Waitara.
• $1.6m to start extending the Coastal Walkway to Waitara.

• $4m on Zero Waste initiatives including kerbside collection improvements and the opening of a new recycling facility on Colson Road – The Junction.

As part of the Annual Plan process, NPDC’s Lets Kōrero public conversations listened and received feedback on: the extension of the Coastal Walkway to Waitara, what to do with the Colson Road lanfill when it closes and should NPDC be doing more to stop pests. More than 1,500 written submissions were received and the feedback will help shape NPDC’s ideas and future planning on the three issues.

NPDC manages assets valued at $2.7 billion and has a yearly operating budget of approximately $150 million. It manages an 800 kilometre water network, more than 1,270 kilometres of roads, 1,600 hectares of parks and open spaces, 1,730 properties, Brooklands Zoo, four swimming pools, Puke Ariki, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, TSB Showplace and TSB Stadium, and TSB Festival of Lights.

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