Annual plan maintains Papakuras momentum

Papakura District Council has signed off its 2008-2009 Annual Plan and Long Term Council Community Plan amendment with a work programme that continues progress made in the past two years.

The plan sets out proposed work in year three of the 2006-2016 LTCCP and confirms a rates rise of 8.0 per cent. Much of the increase relates to the cost of servicing loans for capital projects that will meet the needs of residents as the district grows.

Around 1.0 per cent of the increase relates to ongoing work on the Pahurehure Inlet, including mangrove removal and the preparation for a resource consent application to install tidal gates at the motorway causeway.

The plan sets out major work and charts the Council’s efforts to enhance the range and quality of the District’s community facilities.

Behind the scenes, Council continues its investment in infrastructure: upgrading roads and stormwater systems and making sure the district is able to cope with expected growth in coming years.

Major projects planned include a new tunnel and pipe connecting the Artillery Drive stormwater catchment area and ponds with the Pahurehure Inlet and work in the Kelvin Road area to upgrade stormwater drainage.

Work to develop a library facility for Takanini has been brought forward and the Council plans to improve services at the existing Drury Library Service.

Reference copies of the final annual plan are now available at the Sir Edmund Hillary Library and customer services reception area at Papakura District Council , 35 Coles Crescent. It is available in electronic form on the Council web site, www.papakura.govt.nz  

This will be the last annual plan produced before a full review of the LTCCP is undertaken in 2009.