The Strategy, Policy and Finance Commitee is discussing the Long Term Plan.
The Strategy, Policy and Finance Commitee is discussing the Long Term Plan.
Restoring Rotorua Museum and redeveloping the Aquatic Centre could be a step closer if the Rotorua Lakes Council accepts Long Term Plan recommendations.
The council is in the final stages of adopting the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan with the Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee discussing it yesterday and today. At the meeting yesterday the committee went through the recommendations on the plan indicating whether or not they supported them in principle.
The recommendation was to include the museum restoration and reopening in the plan and committee members supported this in principle, as did 445 of the 713 submitters.
Restoring and reopening the museum would cost $30 million, with hopes some would come from external funders. Photo / File
"It's very affirming that our community has said 'This is a building we value'," mayor Steve Chadwick said.
Restoration would cost $30 million over three years but the council expected external contributions.
Tarawera sewerage scheme Council staff recommended including the scheme in the plan.
The consultation document discussed funding the scheme either through a lump $19,000 contribution per household or instalments over 25 years.
Councillor Charles Sturt said it had to be done but he was concerned about the cost to residents.
The committee supported the scheme in principle but planned to discuss the cost further.
Waste management Extending kerbside collection into rural areas, at a cost of $320,000, was supported by council staff, 217 submitters and the committee.
Committee member Shirley Trumper, who chairs the rural community board, said there was overwhelming support for that in the rural community.
Framework for a development contribution policy The recommendation was to support creating a draft sustainable development contribution policy with the idea separate consultation would be undertaken later.
The committee supported this in principle, as did 157 submitters.
The council's chief executive, Geoff Williams, told the committee the key driver in reintroducing developer contributions was to fund infrastructure.
Lakefront redevelopment
Staff recommended supporting this at a cost of $20 million, not the $21.1 million consulted on.
A lakefront redevelopment is also on the cards. Photo / File
The committee supported this in principle.
The council's group manager strategy, Jean-Paul Gaston, said the project was about creating a "high-quality public space which enables and supports investment".
Councillor Trevor Maxwell said the Lakefront had been ignored for years and it was time it was developed.
During consultation 278 submitters supported development while 243 voted to limit future investment.
Whakarewarewa Forest
The recommendation was to invest $7.5 million in the forest, with a focus on the Redwoods visitor centre and Long Mile Rd entrance.
The council consulted on the rates, proposing to change the rates differential and reduce the UAGC.
The recommendation to the committee was to keep the business differential rate the same and slightly raise the rural residential rate and reduce the uniform charge from $570 to $500.
During consultation 139 people supported reducing the UAGC while 120 supported changes to the rates differential and 153 wanted no change.
Trumper said the Rural Community Board was against any changes to rates without a formal review.
Williams said the proposed changes were to "disperse rates in a fair and equitable manner".
The majority of the committee did not support the proposal in principle.
On finances, Kent said the proposed debt peak at $282 million was shocking, but the council's chief financial officer, Thomas Colle, said it was driven by investment and improvements.
