Key decisions on 10-Year Plan 2015-2025
Published on 20 May 2015
20 May 2015
Mayor Annette Main today said the Wanganui District Council has developed its 10-Year Plan with a strong emphasis on a positive future for Whanganui.
The Council met this week to consider submissions and decide on its 10-Year Plan 2015-2025.
“I have confidence that the leading edge vision that we have now adopted is our road map to achieve this,” Mayor Main said.
"We are planning for the future because we must and this plan will help meet the challenges we face.
“Doing the same things and hoping for a different result is no longer an option.
"We have reaffirmed our commitment to building a wastewater plant that is both affordable for our community and looks after our environment.
"We want to be financially sustainable and need to get our debt to a level where we can afford to take advantage of future opportunities. At the same time we need to look after what we already have that makes our district a place which works for all of us.
“This year the 4.1% average rate rise is entirely allocated to our commitment to reducing debt. We are repaying debt of $3.3M in 2015/16. In fact this plan will see us repaying debt in eight out of 10 years, something we have not done since 1999. This enables our future residents and ratepayers to have choices about how our district develops without the burden of huge debt.
The Council received 257 public submissions on the 10-Year Plan Consultation Document.
“On behalf of the Council I want to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission,” Mayor Main said.
“We heard from 66 submitters in person and it was interesting that we had a large number of submissions from people who have never made a submission to us in the past.
“We considered all of the submissions, both presented and written, in making our decisions and I believe we have developed a plan that will stand our community in good stead for the future.
“We have a vision to be a leading edge community and this plan will help us along that path by balancing affordability while ensuring we make caring for our environment a priority and providing scope to explore some innovative new projects.
“There will be a focus on working with other organisations and groups to develop some of the concepts that were raised through the 10-Year Plan process, such as a downtown library and innovation quarter, the revitalisation of Castlecliff and the town centre and other initiatives which have huge potential to add to the vibrancy of our district.”
Rates
The overall average rate increase is 4.1%. The average rates increases for each rating group are:
Residential 3.7%
Farming 7.9%
Commercial 5.1%
Decisions on key issues
Wastewater treatment plant
The Council is committed to building a new wastewater treatment plant. While the plan has this being delayed for three years, it will be built as soon as it is environmentally and financially affordable.
“We cannot rush the decision to begin construction - we need to be sure we have all the information we need to approve the right solution for our community,” Mayor Main said.
“More information will be coming to the Council in June, and at subsequent Council meetings, to help us decide on the way forward.”
Sarjeant Gallery earthquake strengthening
It was agreed that the Council will fund $4M from the earthquake strengthening rate over three years, starting in 2017/18, as part of the $31.5M redevelopment project. The Queens Park building is severely earthquake-prone, rated at just 5% of the New Building Standard (NBS).
Earthquake strengthening of other buildings
Council-owned buildings will be earthquake strengthened to at least the minimum standard to comply with 34% of NBS commencing in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
“This is a prudent approach which has been supported by the Government and it is to our credit that we have had some influence on the Government’s decision through our submissions on the earthquake-prone buildings policy,” Mayor Main said.
Outdoor swimming
The Council agreed to a staged refurbishment of the Wanganui East Pool at $75,000 per year over five years. This is less capital cost than the redevelopment of the complex or building of a new outdoor pool next to the Splash Centre.
Pensioner housing
The Council resolved to commit to ensuring the pensioner housing activity does not require ratepayer funding and to engage with a community working group to review the best use of the portfolio and/or the proceeds of the sale or partial sale of the pensioner complexes.
Forestry joint venture
Sale of the joint venture forests, excluding Nukumaru and Waitahinga, was approved. The proceeds will be used to repay debt.
New Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO)
The Council will set up a new CCTO, under Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd, to run the operations of a new aviation business venture.
Policy decisions
The Council confirmed its Revenue and Financing Policy and its Development Contributions Policy which were consulted on alongside the 10-Year Plan Consultation Document.
The Council meets on June 30 to adopt the 10-Year Plan 2015-2025.