Funding recommendations follow fire-fighting water submissions
The way Takaka’s fire-fighting water supply is funded may change as a result of submissions received from the public. New recommendations would increase rates contributions from the Golden Bay ward and reduce the percentage paid by the Takaka central business district (CBD).
In February, Tasman District Council consulted with Takaka businesses and residents on a proposal to construct a pressurised reticulated fire-fighting water supply in the Takaka CBD, and on how to pay for that water supply.
Council received 54 submissions on the proposal. Submitters wishing to be heard presented their cases to a council hearings panel consisting of Crs Trevor Norriss (chair), Noel Riley and Stuart Borlase.
Cr Norriss said the panel considered all the submissions and is recommending that the council alter the amounts paid from various funding sources. As the full council is yet to consider the panel’s recommendation, the recommended funding split is not reflected in the council’s draft Ten Year Plan, which was released this week.
There are four funding sources for the fire-fighting water supply. The original proposal had the whole of Tasman District contributing 10% of the cost, the Golden Bay ward 23%, Takaka residential ratepayers 17% and Takaka CBD 50%.
The panel’s recommendation is that the whole Tasman District contributes 10%, the Golden Bay ward (excluding Takaka residential and commercial properties) 35% (this is a change from $10 to $15 per property), Takaka residential ratepayers 17% and Takaka CDB 38%. There were also some minor changes to the properties that would be included in the CDB area for the purposes of the rate.
Cr Norriss said: “Council’s engineering services committee will receive the panel’s recommendation on 2 April. It will then feed into the council’s Ten Year Plan for consideration, prior to the final plan being adopted in June 2009.”
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