The Katikati Heritage Museum, in it was open. Photo/file
The Katikati Heritage Museum, in it was open. Photo/file
The green light for Katikati's new library, funding to help a heritage museum get on its feet, a tick for three coastal cycleways and one of the lowest rate increases in recent years are among the decisions made by Western Bay of Plenty District Council in its 10-year plan.
Council made decisions this week on the 2015 -2025 Long Term Plan (LTP) after deliberating on more than 1000 submissions from property owners and members of the community.
Mayor Ross Paterson said ratepayers gave the council a very strong message that affordability of rates and a reduction of debt were the two issues of greatest concern.
"This has resulted in us achieving a rates increase of less than four per cent for the 2015/16 year and placing a four per cent cap on total rates rises from 2016 to 2025. Since going out with a draft proposal in March to increase rates by 4.8 per cent, council has managed to shave a further $500,000 from its budget to achieve this."
Mr Paterson said by trimming a further $500,000 from this year's budget, the increase is slightly more than the forecast growth of 1.3 per cent and inflation of 1.7 per cent.
While there was a call for a rate freeze from the Western Ward Ratepayers Association, this would be unwise, Mr Paterson said.
"It would lead to a significant decline in council's ability to service ratepayers' needs, a reduction in operational and maintenance work and no ability to reduce debt."
In response to more than 600 submissions from people calling for council to trim debt and manage it more prudently, council has confirmed its commitment to reduce debt by an estimated $80million over the next 10 years.
To enable faster debt reduction and prevent growth related debt compounding, council has decided to increase the amount of money it puts into growth debt interest payments to $2.5m, compared to the $1m allocated last financial year. Council will be recovering this $2.5m from a mix of the General Rate, the Uniform Annual General Charge and the Roading Rate - an option supported by 421 submitters.
Key issues the council called for feedback on included a rebuild of the Katikati library; retention of the Katikati museum collection; council's role regarding museums; a change to stormwater and swimming pools funding; three coastal cycleways and funding for Waihi Beach events and promotions.
Katikati Library. Photo/file
The council approved the earlier construction of a $2.3m Katikati library and community facility relocated in Talisman Drive.
There was mixed reaction from the 500 submitters to this proposal. This included keeping the library as it is, building a larger one, going ahead with the earlier construction of a medium-sized building or demolishing the old fire station and building a new library on that site.
Council decided on building the medium-sized library in 2016, rather than 2021 as previously planned. The earlier build is due to over-crowding and lack of space in the existing library and the opportunity to build a facility at today's costs that meets the community's immediate and short term needs, yet has the ability to be extended in the future.
The $2.3m will be funded from the asset replacement reserve, the town centre development allocation of approximately $200,000, financial contributions and a rates funded loan over the next 25 years.
A heritage museum in Katikati will receive a $60,000 grant per year over the next three years to enable the museum to set up base in the former Katikati Fire Station.
The council granted the $60,000 as an interim 'seed fund' for the Museum Trust so the trust can apply for external funding for its ongoing operation. Council's grant is subject to the trust providing a sustainable business plan to Council. This grant will be funded 50/50 over the Katikati Community Board area of benefit and the district.
Overwhelming community support for three coastal cycleways gave council the confidence to push ahead with $3m funding ($300,000 per year from the Roading Rate) towards their creation over the LTP 10-year span.
These cycleways - Omokoroa to Tauranga; Waihi to Waihi Beach; Tauranga Eastern Link to Maketu and Paengaroa - will be built in partnership with Central Government, Tauranga City Council and community funding trusts.
Cycle rally to prompt Tauranga City Council to contribute its $500k portion to the Omokoroa to Otumoetai cycleway. Photo/file
Waihi Beach will receive an annual grant of $40,000 to provide an information and events programme for the area. This proposal gained 59 per cent support from submitters and Council believes the programme will result in economic benefit to the community from increased visitor spending.
Rural residents seeking relief from dusty roads have also gained a win in this LTP round with an additional $1m from this year's roading surplus to undertake additional seal extension in 2016.
Council also decided to review its seal extension criteria with a view to being more flexible with lower cost 'fit-for-purpose' methods, as well as inviting residents to contribute 50 per cent to the cost of sealing that Council will match dollar-for-dollar.
Wastewater scheme subsidies for Te Puna West and Ongare Point communities have received approval in principle.
Other important issues in the LTP decisions include a change in the stormwater funding split to a 90 per cent targeted rate and 10 per cent District-wide rate, District-wide funding for swimming pools in Katikati and Te Puke and budgeted coastal and creek erosion work in Waihi Beach.
Council will meet to formally adopt the Long Term Plan on Thursday, June 25, 2015.
