March 2006

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Draft community plan due at month's end

Public interest has been high in recent Council decisions about its draft community plan for 2006-16 and the full proposal will be available from the end of this month for the public to have its say.

The draft plan will be formally adopted at a Council meeting on Thursday, 9 March, and will be open for public feedback from the end of March until Friday, 5 May.

At the end of May and into early June the City Councillors will be considering written input and listening to those who wish to make presentations about the draft plan. They will then make decisions about what changes are needed to the draft before it is finalised around the middle of June.

Long-term community plans are made every three years. This plan's primary focus is the three years from 1 July, but it also looks ahead to 2016 and will include fairly detailed financial information about the projects and levels of service which can be provided in the years from 2009-16.

Stephen Hill, the Council's General Manager of Public Affairs, says the draft plan will be the City Councillors' estimate of what the city can afford in coming years and they and the staff are keen to hear from the public about the choices made.

"I think this point about choices is important," Mr Hill says. "The Council has been saying for some years now that we are coming into a period of increased costs for projects such as the ocean outfall for our treated wastewater and large-scale upgrades to things like the wastewater sewer network.

"That time is now upon us and these are projects, and costs, which really cannot be put off and they're happening at a time of rapidly rising costs for construction and large engineering projects.

"Because of that, the elected members have to make choices about what can be done with any remaining funds," Mr Hill says. "When the draft goes out for public feedback at the end of the month, Councillors have said they are keen for people to say where they would like money saved if they want it spent in another area."

Recent research done into ratepayer attitudes suggests roading, cycleways and making sure the growing city has enough green space are priorities for Council spending. About 400 people were surveyed and three out of four said they are getting good or very good value for money from their rates.