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| April 2001 |
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Rates increase held to 32 cents a week Christchurch City Council’s annual draft plan has been termed one of consolidation in which the rates for a median house will rise by only 32 cents a week. The overall average rate increase for householders and businesses will be 2.20 per cent. The commercial-industrial rates will increase slightly by 0.81 per cent. For the median residential property ($142,000) the increase will be 32 cents a weekFor a residential property at the upper end of the market ($400,000) the increase will be 91 cents a week. Rural ratepayers will face an increase of 11.14 per cent, but had a decrease last year. The new rate was reached after long discussions by the City Council’s Working Party and then at the Council meeting to consider the final draft plan Each year the Council’s standing committees, and then the Working Party, juggle the many demands for money. Under the draft annual plan-budget spending will continue to be maintained on the essentials for the running of a city, such as streets, rubbish collection and the sewerage system, as well as starting some more costly, one-off schemes such as the new art gallery. Extra provision has been made for road safety near schools and sports clubs will get reduced charges. A new library and service centre, with a special computer learning centre, will go ahead on the Beckenham Service Centre site. Money has been set aside to clear away the trees damaged in the storm last October and for a start on replacement of trees. As usual 95km of footpaths and 50-60km of suburban streets will be resurfaced. Another $8 million will be spent on the on-going upgrading of the sewage treatment plant, and the range of plastics which can be recycled by householders will be extended. The plan modifies the future use of the money obtained from Orion from the sale of gas shares. It now sets $75 million aside for the long-term fund set up for economic, business and civic development. The other $100 million will go towards paying off long-term debt and this will have an impact on future borrowing, will reduce interest costs and have an impact on future rate demands for all residents. An average 2 per cent rate of inflation has been included in the budget. Cost pressures the Working Party had to contend with included price increases for diesel, petrol, bitumen and plant and machinery. In addition, there was a general rate of inflation of 4 per cent last year. The cost necessary to provide the services and facilities operated by the Council up to 30 June 2002 is $2623 million. Ratepayers will pay a total of $137.14 million towards this cost The cost of new assets or to renew or upgrade assets provided by the Council will be $117.01 million. SEE OTHER DETAILS, PAGES 5-8 |
