The Taranaki Regional Council has adopted a ‘no surprises’ Annual Plan for the 2016/2017 financial year, confirming the direction set in the 2015/2025 Long-Term Plan adopted last year.
“The Council has a busy work programme planned for the coming year and, as outlined in the Long-Term Plan, there will be an increase of 1% in the general rates take,” says the Chairman, David MacLeod.
“We believe this is among the lowest, if not the lowest, rates increase in the country this year,” he says. “This continues our recent record.”
The Council’s rate adjustments in recent years have included: 2015/2016 – no change; 2014/2015 – 1.4% increase; 2013/2014 – 1.5% increase; 2012/2013 – no change.
“The Taranaki Regional Council is in a strong financial position with no public debt,” says Mr MacLeod. “We’re proud of our status as one of the lowest rating local authorities in New Zealand.”
The Annual Plan 2016/2017 sets out the Council’s intention to continue to:
- Work with farmers to fence and plant streambanks on the ring plain and coastal terraces, and supply around 450,000 native plants to riparian plan holders.
- Maintain the successful self-help possum control programme and align maintenance work around Egmont National Park with Department of Conservation pest control work inside the Park.
- Advocate for Taranaki’s transport interests and seek further gains following its successful advocacy for projects such as the Mt Messenger bypass, Awakino tunnel bypass, Normanby Bridge realignment and the SH3 Vickers to City upgrade.
- Develop and grow bus and Total Mobility transport services in Taranaki.
- Efficiently process resource consent applications within statutory timeframes, and comprehensively monitor and report publicly on the performance of consent holders.
- Deliver its successful sustainable land management programmes, particularly in the eastern hillcountry.
- Carry out an exciting upgrade at iconic Pukeiti to maintain it as an internationally renowned heritage and amenity property, along with Tupare and Hollard Gardens.
The Council will also complete the final stage of the Lower Waitara Flood Protection Scheme upgrade to give the Waitara community the level of flood protection it deserves.
The 2016/2017 Annual Plan will take effect from 1 July. It is available on this website.
RECOUNT — Taranaki Regional Council's quarterly newsletter
Issue 101, June 2016