Council business: items from Tasman District Council meetings
Full Council, Wednesday 10 June
At this meeting councillors considered what projects and activities would be included in its Ten Year Plan after considering the submissions on the draft. Highlights:
Rates. Changes sought by the council will mean that the general rate is likely to come down from the 4.96% increase proposed to about 3.9% in 2009/10. The projected average annual general rate increase for the ten year period has reduced from 4.32% to about 4.2%.
Kerbside recycling. Deleting the proposal for a multi-bin kerbside recycling and waste collection service.
Tourism targeted rate. This will be $92,700 (plus GST) to be charged as a flat rate on tourism-related businesses of $137.21 (including GST). This reduces the targeted rate proposed in the draft plan. The total funding provided by council to Nelson Tasman Tourism will be equivalent to last year, plus inflation.
Provincial Museum. Providing for a new $60,000 storage facility for the Tasman Bays Heritage Trust to store assets.
Takaka water. Agreeing to provide the Takaka central business district with a fire-fighting water supply and to consult with the Takaka community on whether to extend to a fully reticulated community supply subject to receiving a Government subsidy. This change was at the request of submissions.
Corporate services, Thursday 11 June
Council’s debt. Murray Staite, corporate services manager, reported that at 28 May 2009 council debt stands at $94.04 million with an average interest rate of 6.2%. (March 2009 6.7%) “Interest rates are now historically very low and have provided council with a good opportunity to reduce its cost of funds over the long term.”
Emergency works. Mr Staite has recommended that the committee agrees to transfer the sum of $498,000 from the council’s general disaster fund for reinstatement of damage to the roading network from storm events in July and August 2008. TDC will also be applying to NZ Transport Agency for $1,196,000 for this project.
Rates Rebate Scheme. The rates rebate scheme has again alleviated the pressure in meeting rates for those on lower incomes. The Department of Internal Affairs has announced that for the 2009/2010 year the maximum rebate will be increased to $550 from $530 this year.
Mobile building inspections. Peter Darlington, TDC information services manager, reported that building inspectors are currently trialling a new mobile inspections system. The trial will run until the end of June.
Prepared by The GB Weekly
Full TDC agenda, associated reports and minutes can be found at <www.tasman.govt.nz/index.php?Committees>.
