Outcomes of submission hearing

So, what were the outcomes of the deliberations?

• Average rates increase for Year 1 slightly decreased from what was proposed to 15.48%
• Strengthening of the TET Multi-Sport Stadium to enable the building to be used as a civil defence centre will begin in Year 3, 2026/27.
• Strengthening of the War Memorial Centre to the minimum level required to no longer be considered earthquake prone and an earthquake risk will begin in Year 5, 2028/29
• Any strengthening work on the Glockenspiel remains in the plan for year 10, 2033/34, which means there are 2 more Long Term Plan processes to go through before a final decision is made on that building.
• Demolition of the old TSB Pool Complex facility will go ahead in Year 1, 2024/25.
• Council’s road maintenance budget will match what’s required to retain the existing level of service, which means a 14% increase in the operational spend for year 1.
• Replacement of the old raw water delivery line to the Stratford water treatment plant will begin in Year 1, 2024/25 and take 2 years to be completed.
• The proposed Forestry Differential Roading Targeted Rate will go ahead as planned, increasing the amount collected to $350,000 and including blocks of forestry that are 10 hectares or more in size. For properties that are not primarily forestry but have a block of forestry at least 10 hectares in size, the rate is applied only to the portion of the property that is used for forestry, not to the whole property.
• The Brecon Road Bridge project was brought forward from Year 4 to Year 2 on the condition that Waka Kotahi approve co-funding. Council will know the outcome of co-funding by the end of Year 1, 2024/25 to determine if the project can begin at the earlier time. If co-funding is not achieved this will be pushed back. There is no impact on rates in Year 1 or 2 of the plan with this amendment.
• Some amendments to capital projects were made with budget carry over from the current financial year to 2024/25 and the current budget for print advertising was retained to continue the existing Central Link delivery.
• A change in funding for three waters projects was made by reallocating external Better Off Funding to these projects. These were originally set at being loan funded.
• The Town Centre Upgrade is now set at loan funding and reduced to $300,000 in Year 1 from $500,000.
• Changes to the Fees and Charges schedule were made, including:
  • Removal of facsimile charges
  • Amending the Wai o Rua Swim School fee to include entry at $145 per term
  • Amending the full pool complex hire fee to include use of the multipurpose room
  • Decrease in cost for the commercial strip hire fee at the Aerodrome
  • Amendment to Licence to Occupy charge under Roading, moving from a land value based charge to a fixed fee.
  • Minor wording changes for consistency across other documents

View the Hearing agenda including submissions received online here.

Minutes of the meeting will be available online later this month.