Tasman District Council’s Ten Year Plan decisions
At its meeting on Wednesday 10 June, Tasman District Council considered what projects and activities would be included in its Ten Year Plan. These decisions were made following consideration of the submissions on the draft Ten Year Plan. The Council received over 4500 submissions on its draft Plan.
“The Council’s final Ten Year Plan will include projects and activities designed to invest in our District’s future and to meet the needs of our growing community.” says Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne. “The submissions have provided valuable input into Council’s decision making processes. We have listened to all of the community views and considered the vast amount of information provided to us, prior to making our decisions on what should be included in the Plan”.
Council staff have indicated that the changes sought by the Council will mean that the general rate is likely to come down from the 4.96 percent increase proposed in the Draft Plan to about 3.9 percent in 2009/10. The projected average annual general rate increase for the ten year period has reduced from 4.32 percent in the Draft Plan to about 4.2 percent. These figures are subject to final modelling. In addition, many of the targeted rates will be reduced from the amounts proposed in the draft Plan. Total rates for each property are a combination of general rate and the targeted rates relevant to each property.
“The Council has instructed staff to prepare the final Ten Year Plan based on the decisions it made at the meeting. The Plan will come back to the Council for final adoption on 30 June 2009, at which time appropriate resolutions will be passed to strike the rates” says Mayor Kempthorne.
Some of the key changes Council has asked staff to make include:
Introducing a Tourism Targeted Rate of $92,700 (plus GST) to be charged as a flat rate on tourism related businesses of $137.21 (including GST). This reduces the targeted rate proposed in the draft Plan. The total funding provided by Council to Nelson Tasman Tourism will be equivalent to last year, plus inflation.
Agreeing to the formation of a Holding Company to hold Council’s share of the assets in Port Nelson Ltd, Nelson Airport Ltd, and Tourism Nelson Tasman Ltd.
Providing for a new storage facility for the Tasman Bays Heritage Trust to store Provincial Museum assets at a cost to Council of $60,000.
Amending the Development Contributions Policy, which means that the contribution reduces from a maximum of $22,948 per unit to $20,394. The contribution for roading will be $5,034.
Bringing forward the public passenger transport service funding into 2009/10 for transport between Richmond and Nelson, but reducing the amount of funding and the level of the service provided.
Changing the roading programme of works to bring forward the cycleways in the vicinity of the Ruby Bay Bypass, and seal extensions in Eighty-Eight Valley Road and Gibbs Valley Road.
Including the Motueka reticulated water supply project but will be subject to a satisfactory Government subsidy being received.
Including the Lower Motueka flood control proposal but will be subject to further public consultation on the design and timing of the project, prior to approval to proceed with re-construction of the stopbank. As part of the consultation process the Council will consider the affordability on the Motueka community of the combined impact of the Motueka water supply and stopbank projects.
Agreeing to provide the Takaka central business district with a fire fighting water supply and to consult with the Takaka community on whether to extend the fire fighting water supply to a fully reticulated community supply subject to receiving a Government subsidy. This change was at the request of the Golden Bay Community Board and others from Golden Bay.
Deleting the proposal for a multi-bin kerbside recycling and waste collection service. Agreeing to explore recycling and waste management options, including maintaining a mix of private and Council contracted services, through the review of Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
Removing the funding for the rowing and watersport course proposed at Rabbit Island, while noting the Council’s support for a feasibility study to be undertaken and a willingness to re-consider funding the proposal subject to the results of the feasibility study.
Adding in funding for some of the numerous community projects asked for by individuals and community groups.
The final Ten Year Plan will be available on Council’s website in July.
Click here to see all information on Councils Ten Year Plan.
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