Waitaki district ratepayers are now being asked what they think about the Waitaki District Council's budget for next financial year - which includes a 6.4% average rates rise.
The council has started consultation on its 2008-09 draft annual plan, with public submissions closing on May 13.
In 2006, the council adopted a 10-year community plan which indicated a 6.8% rates rise in the coming year. Budget changes had reduced that figure, strategy group manager Richard Mabon said.
These included:
- A proposal to reduce expenditure on seal extensions from $120,000 to $11,000. Expenditure would be reduced until the council completes a review of roading policy, to be undertaken in mid-2008.
- A proposal to carry out kerb and channel installation and seal widening in Jessop St, Oamaru, at a cost of $150,000.
- A proposal to allocate $500,000 for coastal erosion protection works (the majority of this cost would be subsidised by Land Transport New Zealand).
- The council indicated it would be consulting this year on a proposal to spend $4.2 million on physical works to connect the Oamaru water supply to the Weston Rural water supply. This figure has been revised to $250,000 to design a coastal pipeline to provide water from the Oamaru water supply to communities nearby and south of Oamaru.
As a result of the deferral, two other associated projects scheduled to be carried out this year will also be delayed.
Ratepayers are being sent a newsletter outlining the draft annual plan, and three public meetings - at Palmerston on May 1, Oamaru on May 5 and Kurow on May 7 - are also planned.
