Annual Plan 2020-21 – open for consultation
Released: Monday 20 April 2020
Link to Consultation page here.
South Waikato District Council invites its community to make submissions on its Draft Annual Plan 2020-21.
Mayor Jenny Shattock explains that Council was part way through the Annual Plan 2020-21 process, when COVID-19 became a serious pandemic.
“We had already reduced our budgets to propose a 5.6% average rates revenue increase, down from the 7% identified in the Long Term Plan (LTP),” she said. “But when the world changed in late March, we knew we had to do more to help support our community through the economic and hardship impact of COVID-19.”
“We are pleased to propose a 0% average rates revenue increase.”
Council made several decisions and proposals to achieve this, including postponing the introduction of wheelie bins for urban ratepayers until July 2021.
“We know some people will be disappointed by this, however the impact of COVID-19 on our communities means this is a 3% rate increase we just can’t afford right now,” said Ben Smit, Council’s Chief Executive. “We are also concerned about possible manufacturing and supply issues.”
Council is proposing three options to achieve a 0% average rate increase and is asking the community for submissions on its preference. All of the options have long term impacts. Essentially the options are to take even more operational funding out of the budget, loan fund to support operational funding, or stop funding water asset replacements for one year. Council has a preferred option. Our community is encouraged to read the Consultation Document.
“It is very important for our community to understand that a 0% average rates revenue does not mean a zero increase on each individual rates bill,” cautioned Mayor Jenny. “This is because individual properties have a different mix of services and situations.
“The majority of ratepayers will see a small decrease in rates (more than 8,200 properties). A little over 1,650 properties will see an increase, most moderate, but some high. The higher rate increases are for several issues, unrelated to Council's wish to reduce the level of rates, such as new subdivisions, new buildings or alterations and signing up to one of our clean heat programmes.”
In addition, because Council’s preferred option to stop funding the three waters asset replacements for one year only reduces urban ratepayers’ rates; this change is not felt in a number of lifestyle, rural and commercial properties.
Ratepayers can check out what their rates for the 2020-21 year are expected to be on Council’s website: www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-services/do-it-online/rating-and-property-search and searching on their address.
Council has several other proposals in the Annual Plan that it is seeking community feedback on. These include waste collection anomalies, Tīrau CCTV and Wifi, and Fees and Charges.
“Several of the waste collection anomalies are targeted to specific areas,” said Mr Smit. “Residents living in Amisfield, along the Baird Road existing recycling zone and Pellikan Place are encouraged to take particular interest in this year’s Annual Plan proposals.
“We are also proposing to make the funding for recycling more equitable between urban and rural ratepayers, introduce WiFi and CCTV into the Tīrau CBD and amend several of our fees and charges,” he continued.
Consultation documents are available from our website: www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-council/consultation/: from supermarkets (Countdown in Putāruru and Tokoroa, New World in Tokoroa, Superette in Tīrau) and by calling 07 885 0340.
Council is preparing this information during COVID-19 restrictions. Unfortunately our offices and other facilities are currently closed. If COVID-19 restrictions be lifted, and Council offices and other facilities are permitted to open, hard copy documents will be made available from the normal places.
Consultation is open from Wednesday 22 April to Friday 22 May.
