Spectator fee plan dumped

Public pressure has prompted Rotorua councillors to ditch a spectator fee at the Aquatic Centre, but some aren't happy with the rates increase residents face.
Councillors wrapped up three days of deliberations for the Rotorua District Council Annual Plan for the 2011/12 financial year yesterday but not all were happy with a projected 3.1 per cent average rates increase for the district, saying they could have done better.
The annual plan sets rates, fees and charges for the coming financial year.
The draft originally featured a 3.1 per cent average rates increase, which rose to 3.7 per cent after councillors added $100,000 for public/private city security patrols, $15,000 for mountainbike trail construction and maintenance and a $15,000 contribution to produce a "Pressure on the Lakes" report.
In the draft plan, the council had also signalled a possible $1 spectator fee at the Aquatic Centre which was expected to generate about $50,000 a year.
Pressure was put on councillors, however, and 21 people made submissions against the fee, which councillors eventually decided not to charge.
The loss of that potential revenue, plus the loss of $185,000 on sole catering revenue and kitchen upgrades at the Convention Centre, means the council needs to find $384,000 to bring the rates increase back to a 3.1 per cent district-wide average.
Council chief executive Peter Guerin said it would not be an easy task but he was committed to the 3.1 per cent increase and would find the money in the next few weeks.
"We did a pretty big hack and slash between the first and second drafts ... it is tough out there for our ratepayers and we cannot adopt anything more than 3.1 per cent," Mr Guerin said.
Economic and regulatory services committee chairman Mike McVicker said he still believed they could get away with a zero to 1.5 per cent rates increase, but did not have enough support from his colleagues.
"I would have preferred a zero-based increase but a minimum under today's circumstances would have been 1.5 per cent. I'm somewhat disappointed given the economic climate," he said.
Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters said he was pleased with the result, considering the economic times. The 3.1 per cent increase was less than the rate of inflation and would be one of New Zealand's lowest: "It's a credit to staff and councillors to be able to deliver the services we all enjoy with a low rates increase."
Mr Guerin is expected to present his final Annual Plan report to councillors on June 22. the plan is due to come into effect on June 30.