Mayor disappointed with stopbank funding decision

Published on 30 May 2014

30 May 2014

Mayor Annette Main today said she is disappointed with Horizons Regional Council’s proposal for funding stopbank improvements.

“I am surprised that Horizons Regional Council has accepted the advice of Grey Power and the Rural Community Board that the payment for the stopbank improvements should be billed to our ratepayers as one payment in the coming year,” Mayor Main said.

“I did not agree with this view and Wanganui District Council in fact submitted to Horizons that alternatively the payments should be spread over three years.

“While acknowledging the view that payment should be spread over the life of the asset, our submission recognised the need to balance our ratepayers’ ability to pay, the relatively low cost of the work and the desire to reduce interest payments and longer term debt.

“However, our advice has not been accepted and instead ratepayers will foot the bill over one year.

“I am disappointed the views of Grey Power have contributed to a decision which affects the wider community.”