Western Bay of Plenty District Council is seeking public feedback on a draft annual plan proposing an average 3.64 rate increase – when the increase forecast in the long term plan was 3.46 per cent.

The increase is 0.8 per cent above growth at 1.26 per cent, and inflation at 1.60 per cent but it is within the four percent cap on rates rises.

Western Bay of Plenty District mayor Ross Paterson. Photo: File

The council expects to receive income of $57.61 million from rates for the financial year – compared to $55.59 million in the 2015/16 year. This takes into account the district rate, community board rates and uniform annual charges.

Mayor Ross Paterson says the council is heading into the new financial year with confidence and the certainty of meeting targets set through the Long Term Plan. Keeping the rate increase under four percent has been achieved through prudent financial management.

'This Annual Plan is effectively a detailed budget for the 2016-17 work programme agreed with the community in the LTP. Put simply, we said what we were going to do and we're doing it,” says Ross.

'This is good news. As a result, there is very little change to the rates we said would be set for 2016-17.”

Debt remains a key focus and the district council will again be using a contribution from the General Rate of $1.6 million this year to pay for interest on growth-related debt, plus $900,000 from the roading rate.

Council's forecast debt lies at $135 million, down from $148 million in 2015/16.

'We continue to effectively manage capital expenditure and have not compromised on our level of service delivery,” says Ross.

Three new projects have cropped up.The first being an upgrade to the two council animal shelters that are now more than 20 years old and no longer fit-for-purpose.

The council also proposes delaying the installation of a new wastewater system in Ongare Point to allow more planning to take place and to align the project works to the timing of the Regional Council subsidy.

The council also plans on spending $100,000 on projects supporting better use and availability of digital technology throughout the District.

The 10-year programme and budget Council put in place in 2015 when it set the LTP is working well.

'Growth also continues to be an issue for the District, with an increase in building consents and an upturn in housing construction,” says Ross. '

"While this is positive from the point of view of business and employment opportunities, it does create pressures around infrastructure provision to accommodate our new residents.”

Feedback for the draft Annual Plan looks a little different this year, because the council is proposing very few changes to those already consulted on through the LTP.

'Instead of asking people to fill in formal submission forms and attend Council hearings, we're simply inviting the community to tell us what they think - online, by email, in person or on hard copy feedback forms,” says Ross.

The draft Annual Plan and the consultation document will be available on Council's feedback website from Friday, March 18, and at Council service centres.

Councillors will be attending local community events throughout the District during March and April to talk with people and answer any questions about the Annual Plan and are also holding a drop in day at Chambers on April 12.

Feedback needs to be received by 5pm on Monday, April 18.

This will be considered before the final Annual Plan is adopted by Council at the end of June.