South Taranaki proposes 3.99pc rate rise

South Taranaki District Council is proposing an average annual rate increase of 3.99 per cent over the next 10 years in its 2021-31 long-term plan.

Stimulating economic growth, compliance with new environmental legislation, town centre upgrades and affordability were the key themes councillors considered as they adopted the proposed 2021–31 longterm plan for public consultation at a meeting on Monday, March 22.

Mayor Phil Nixon said the council’s vision was to make South Taranaki New Zealand’s “most liveable” district.

“Over the past decade, we’ve focused on upgrading the district’s water infrastructure, key community facilities and implementing projects to make South Taranaki a desirable place to live and do business,” Nixon Asaid. “We now have a much-improved water network and, since our last long-term plan three years ago, we have progressed the Hãwera Town Centre redevelopment, Te Ramanui o Ruapû tahanga and the Nukumaru Station Rd extension projects.”

He said the focus for the next 10 years was to complete key projects.

“Continue to upgrade our three waters infrastructure with a focus on wastewater, increase our spend on roading, implement our environment and sustainability strategy and create conditions that encourage sustainable economic growth in the right places, with projects such as the South Taranaki Business Park and town centre upgrades for Manaia, Eltham, Õpunakê, Pãtea and Waverley.”

At the same time the council needed to keep rates at an affordable level, Nixon said.

“We are proposing to fund our key projects with a combination of loans, external funding sources and earnings from the long-term investment fund, rather than through rates.

“We believe our long-term plan proposal strikes the right balance between progress, affordability and providing the services and facilities our communities expect, but we want to know what our residents think.”

The council’s proposed 2021-31 long-term plan will be available for comment from March 31 until May 7, 2021.

A list of public meetings and casual coffee meetings can be found on the council website at www. southtaranaki.com