Plan proposes rates increase

The draft 10-year plan of the regional council is proposing a regional rates increase in the 2012/ 13 year for Porirua ratepayers of an average $17 a year.

This increase is based on an average property value of $ 379,000 in Porirua City. Actual increases will be determined by values of individual properties.

This compares with an average region-wide proposed increase in rates income of $16.60 a year for residential ratepayers and $25 across all ratepayers in the region. The proposed regional rates increase totals 5.7 per cent and comprises three components:

Ongoing regional council services, which includes most of our current activities ( 1.33 per cent/$ 6 across region).

Commitments made in previous years for longterm programmes, such as the delivery of Matangi trains and flood protection work (2.6 per cent/$11).

Proposed new service improvements. ( 1.74 per cent/$8).

Porirua City- specific projects outlined in the draft plan include:

An extra $ 60,000

to improve Porirua Harbour.

Upgrades to regional parks’ recreational facilities and review of farming in Whitireia Regional Park, management of areas bordering Belmont Regional Park on behalf of local councils.

Projects to improve water supply resilience and capacity for the four cities (Porirua, Upper Hutt, Hutt and Wellington).

The draft plan maintains significant investment in public transport and flood protection, as well as programmes to improve the region’s environment and boost economic growth.

In public transport, key projects include continuing to roll out the Matangi trains and modernise the rest of the trains and the rail network, upgrading park and ride facilities, and introducing a networkwide electronic ticket for use on all buses and trains in the Metlink public transport network.

A copy of the draft 10- year- plan can be downloaded from Greater Wellington’s website, gw.govt.nz/long-term-plan.

Public consultation begins later this month.