Rates rise checked, but projects get okay

Hutt City Council has confirmed an average rates increase of just 1.8 per cent for the next financial year while also pressing on with a series of programmed initiatives.

At a Community Plan Committee meeting earlier this month, Mayor Ray Wallace said feedback on the draft Long Term Plan had been strongly in favour of keeping rates as low as possible. “As a result, the average rise will be $1.15 a week per household,” he says.

Changes to the allocation of rates were also approved at the meeting, and he says their introduction over the next 10 years will ease the load on businesses and help encourage economic development in the city. In response to submissions by rural ratepayers, the council will reduce the rural differential.

At the meeting, the council affirmed its intention to reduce debt to $45 million by 2015 – a figure that includes funding to earthquake-strengthen its Laings Road office building.

The Long Term Plan includes a revised council contribution of $6 million towards redevelopment of the Taita community centre – $2 million more than previously budgeted for – while the Fraser Park Sportsville development will receive an extra $1 million.

Other projects approved were the Wainuiomata Hill Summit bridge for walkers and cyclists, the Eastern Bays walkway, and earthquake strengthening of key bridges in the city.

The council will contribute nearly $875,000 towards these projects. New Zealand Transport Agency will confirm its own contribution in the next few months.The council also approved a $1.15 million business stimulus package to attract new industry and businesses to Lower Hutt. Funding for this initiative came from internal cost-cutting. Refurbishment of the Riddiford Gardens fountain has been put on hold for a year pending preparation of a redevelopment plan for the area.