Feedback starts in March

MEMBERS of the public can have their say on the Dunedin City Council’s latest spending plans from next month.

Public consultation on the council’s 201920 annual plan, including a proposed 5% rates rise, will begin on March 20 and run until April 15.

That would give members of the public a chance to share their views, after which councillors would hear from submitters in person from May 68.

Deliberations would follow from May 27, after which the budget would be finalised.

The annual plan focused on variations from the council’s broader longterm plan, which was revisited every three years, covering a 10year period, and was last considered at the start of 2018.

That meant the 201920 document focused more on the 5% rates rise, changes to fees for onstreet parking, and a free bus loop service trial in the central city.

However, Cr Aaron Hawkins, speaking at Tuesday’s full council meeting, successfully pushed for a new question to be included in the document.

That meant the public would also be asked whether they supported in principle the idea of using council parking fees, or rates revenue, to lower the cost of bus fares in the city.

A community engagement plan for the annual plan would also include roadshow events around the city, such as a facetoface ‘‘councillor cuppa’’ sessions with councillors in North Dunedin, among other activities, a staff report said.

Councillors at Tuesday’s full council meeting signed off on the plan, despite questions from Cr Marie Laufiso about a lack of hui targeting young people in particular.