The Gore District Council approved its draft annual plan for the 2013-14 year last week. The plan gives an update on year two of the long-term plan 2012-22, confirms the projects and services the council intends to deliver over the next financial year and includes cost estimates.
This year's draft annual plan proposes an overall rates rise of 4.72%, slightly down from the 4.94% increase forecast in the long-term plan.
Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said critical budget analysis had kept the rate increase below the self-imposed 5% ceiling of the council's financial strategy.
Rises will vary slightly, depending on a property's capital value and its rating sector. On average, urban rates will go up
$2 a week while lifestyle blocks will have a $1 a week increase and farms a $3 a week rise.
The council plans to collect more than $15.1 million in rates, an increase of $683,477 on this financial year.
The draft annual plan and its summary with submission form is available on the council's website.
Submissions close at 4pm on May 10 and a council submission hearing will be held on May 24.
