Greater Wellington to invest in regional flood protection and public transport
Greater Wellington to invest in regional flood protection and public transport
Greater Wellington Regional Council today signalled its intention to make further investments in regional flood protection and public transport when announcing its proposed regional rates and levies for the 2007/08 financial year.
Council Chairman Ian Buchanan said that a regional rate increase of 6.5% was required to fund Greater Wellington’s activities for the next financial year.
“Councillors are mindful of the effects rates increases have on inflation and also on ratepayers. We have tried to balance these considerations with the strong messages received through our community consultation processes for a greater investment to be made on flood protection measures and also on regional public transport.
“This increase is significantly less than the 10.7% anticipated in the council’s 10-year strategy (Long-Term Council Community Plan).
“When increased funding for the two major initiatives is removed, core Council services are planned to increase by 2.5%, slightly less than the current 2.6% rate of inflation.
“Increasing world oil prices are a major contributor to proposed transport costs. If recent diesel prices increases are overlooked, the planned investment increase in regional transport is also less than the current rate of inflation,†Ian Buchanan said.
At its meeting today, Greater Wellington Regional Council also considered and accepted a proposal to adopt a new rate for a Wellington regional economic development agency (EDA), as outlined in the recently published Wellington Regional Strategy.
“A proposed new rate in the 2007/08 year for the EDA is $4 million. This replaces the $3.4 million currently collected each year by the other councils in the region.
“The benefits of centralising funding for a regional economic development agency are largely realised through more streamlined governance and rating arrangements. The proposed new EDA will replace Positively Wellington Business and add a region-wide focus that includes the contribution of the rural sector and port, as well as strengthening the role of education, sport and leisure, and incorporate sustainability and climate change initiatives.
“Today’s decisions by Council require an amendment to our 2006-16 Long-Term Council Community Plan. Audit New Zealand will consider the proposed amendment and report back in time for the 13 March 2007 Council meeting where final approval of these proposals and the associated documentation required to finalise the Annual Plan for 2007/08 will be made,†Ian Buchanan said.
Greater Wellington Regional Council today signalled its intention to make further investments in regional flood protection and public transport when announcing its proposed regional rates and levies for the 2007/08 financial year.
Council Chairman Ian Buchanan said that a regional rate increase of 6.5% was required to fund Greater Wellington’s activities for the next financial year.
“Councillors are mindful of the effects rates increases have on inflation and also on ratepayers. We have tried to balance these considerations with the strong messages received through our community consultation processes for a greater investment to be made on flood protection measures and also on regional public transport.
“This increase is significantly less than the 10.7% anticipated in the council’s 10-year strategy (Long-Term Council Community Plan).
“When increased funding for the two major initiatives is removed, core Council services are planned to increase by 2.5%, slightly less than the current 2.6% rate of inflation.
“Increasing world oil prices are a major contributor to proposed transport costs. If recent diesel prices increases are overlooked, the planned investment increase in regional transport is also less than the current rate of inflation,†Ian Buchanan said.
At its meeting today, Greater Wellington Regional Council also considered and accepted a proposal to adopt a new rate for a Wellington regional economic development agency (EDA), as outlined in the recently published Wellington Regional Strategy.
“A proposed new rate in the 2007/08 year for the EDA is $4 million. This replaces the $3.4 million currently collected each year by the other councils in the region.
“The benefits of centralising funding for a regional economic development agency are largely realised through more streamlined governance and rating arrangements. The proposed new EDA will replace Positively Wellington Business and add a region-wide focus that includes the contribution of the rural sector and port, as well as strengthening the role of education, sport and leisure, and incorporate sustainability and climate change initiatives.
“Today’s decisions by Council require an amendment to our 2006-16 Long-Term Council Community Plan. Audit New Zealand will consider the proposed amendment and report back in time for the 13 March 2007 Council meeting where final approval of these proposals and the associated documentation required to finalise the Annual Plan for 2007/08 will be made,†Ian Buchanan said.