Submissions top 1000

Mayor Sheryl Mai

More than 1000 submissions have been received over the Whangarei District Council's proposed 10-year plan, which would see rates rise by 9 per cent next year.

Public hearings start today on the Long Term Plan (LTP) 2015-2015 with 159 of the 1024 individual submitters choosing to speak on their submissions over the coming days.

In March the council approved a consultation document which outlined a proposed rates increase of 9 per cent in the first year and 2 per cent plus inflation the following years until 2025.

Mayor Sheryl Mai said the proposed jump in rates would balance the council's budget and allow it to maintain the same level of service.

The process of reviewing the LTP happened every three years, with the last draft plan in 2012 receiving 1263 submitters.

Of the total submissions, 547 related to just four topics, which are called bulk submissions.

The most popular of these was a submission by Alan Agnew to turn the old Countdown building on the Kamo Rd-Kensington Ave corner into an indoor multi-sports centre. The proposal received 311 submissions including letters of support from a number of schools, Grey Power and Northland Chamber of Commerce.

Other bulk submissions related to the commercial rates increase, Ruakaka Recreation Centre funding and the Waipu walk/cycleway.

Four petitions were counted as individual submissions, with the most popular being a proposal by a theatre company called Company of Giants which had 460 signatures.

It proposed the council-owned property at 116a Bank St be turned into a youth-focused community performing arts centre.

Other petitions related to the Waipu walk/cycleway, Langs Beach ramp access and Kiteone Rd footpath.

Submissions were scheduled to be heard until next Wednesday, and the LTP was expected to be adopted on June 24.