Council seeks public feedback on CBD remissions policy

Hutt City Council is seeking feedback from the public on possible new initiatives to encourage apartment and commercial developments in the CBD.

Council is proposing to offer developers remissions on rates, development contributions, reserve financial contributions, and resource and building consent charges on new buildings built in the CDB for up to three years.

Mayor David Ogden says the aim of the proposal is to make the CBD more attractive to potential developers.

“CBD development is an important part of council’s vision for Hutt City. Even during the recent building boom there was limited development in the CBD, so council has decided to take a proactive approach to create more interest among developers.

“The proposed policy is set to create a more vibrant CBD, which in turn will help grow council’s rating base and income so we can continue to deliver residents excellent facilities, services and infrastructure.”

The value of the remissions proposed could save large commercial developers up to $500,000. The direct costs to council will be limited to the cost of processing resource and building consents and staff time - roughly $50,000 for a large commercial development.

$100,000 per annum has been set aside provisionally in the draft annual plan 2010-2011 to cover the potential costs on council resulting from granting remissions under the proposed policy.

ENDS

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