Draft plan out. Have your say
Christchurch City Council wants to know what the public thinks of the proposals in the draft of its 2006-16 Long Term Council Community Plan.
Our Community Plan (LTCCP), which gives a picture of what the Council proposes to do over the 10-year period of the plan and how much this will cost, was released for public consultation this week. Submissions close on Friday 5 May.
The Council's Chief Executive, Lesley McTurk, says the public has five weeks to have its say about the services it views as a priority and their expectations for the future.
"The onus is on us to consult with our community and be far more responsive to its needs," she says. "Our residents' requirements in addition to the Council's regulatory role then drive our plans, projects, services and budgets which are all reflected in the rates paid by the community."
Projected average rate increases for the next three years are 8.55%, 7.03% and 10.75%. Some residents will pay more or less than this average depending on the capital value of their property.
Dr McTurk says the Council faces huge challenges in the years ahead. It is constantly being asked for more, such as an improved roading infrastructure and enhanced facilities at the Botanic Gardens.
"All of these demands place considerable pressure on our budget which is impacted further by unprecedented cost increases, particularly in areas that relate to the construction industry or that require using non-renewable resources," Dr McTurk says.
The escalating costs are far beyond cost increases in the Consumer Price Increase and affect about 40% of the Council's operating spend. For example, the Council's street cleaning costs have increased by nearly $2 million a year.
Mayor Garry Moore says he is confident that the Council has got "the bulk of the plan right". He is now looking forward to hearing the public's response.
"Over the last few months we have grappled with costs and services. Councillors have worked closely together struggling to meet the expectations of ratepayers at an affordable price," Mr Moore says. "Keeping rates down has been on all of our agendas. We all struggled, but we also know that this city must not go backward."
The plan's proposals include:
- Spending $1.9 billion on capital projects, of which $1.4b is allocated to base projects which maintain public assets at agreed standards. These include the Blenheim Road deviation and the ocean outfall for our treated wastewater.
- Allocating funding of $566.7m to discretionary capital works projects over the next 10 years. Some of these projects are essential and others priority. The council has identified areas where it can save money to help minimise rate increases over the next 10 years. Almost $2m has been identified if the Council reduces services and an additional $1.6m could be earned in revenue by increasing Council fees in other areas. Any decisions about changing levels of service will be made only after feedback from the public.
The draft of Our Community Plan is the Christchurch City Council's second and this time includes the former Banks Peninsula District Council.
Elected members and Council staff are hosting a series of public meetings (see p3) and displays over the next month to inform people about what's in plan and how the public can have its say on delivering the outcomes they require.
Copies of the draft plan summary (much of which is included in the following pages of City Scene) and the full document are available at Council offices, service centres and libraries or online at http://www.ccc.govt.nz/.
Councillors will consider all public submissions and any changes that can be made from 25 May to mid-June and the plan, when finalised, comes into effect on 1 July.
- For more information about the Council's draft 10-year plan and how to get involved is, please refer to the printed copy of City Scene April 2006 edition. You can pick up a copy from the CCC Civic building or service centres.
- CCC Have Your Say for Draft LTCCP.
Bruce Wright from the central city picks up a copy of the draft LTCCP 2006-16 from Civic Offices in Tuam Street. "I wanted a copy so that I could get a handle on the long-term plans for Christchurch and the central city in particular," he said.
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