Grey District Council to adopt draft Long Term Plan

The Grey District Council is expected to adopt its draft Long Term Plan at a meeting this afternoon (Wednesday), and open it to submissions from the public from tomorrow.

As well as a forecast rate rise of 13.7% this year, and 7.8% on average over the next nine years, the council wants to know what people think about the future of its earthquake-prone History House and Harbour Board buildings.

The council also wants to know if people want more money put into maintaining footpaths.

The council is itself facing rising costs - electricity is up 44% (2.05% of rates), and solid waste management contract costs have increased by 41.5% (3.6% of rates).

Mayor Tania Gibson said the Government was focused on back to basics, as was the council.

“I’m very upset at the proposed rate rise, we have agonised over it for some time.”

However, the work was important to start addressing some of the issues seen over recent weeks, and for future generations, Mayor Gibson said.

Chief executive Joanne Soderlund said there was a real focus on water infrastructure.

“It’s the responsible thing to do, we have a significant deferrals backlog which this LTP is planning to address.”

Forecast residential rate rises:

Blaketown 16.89%, Cobden 17.65%, Greymouth 16.3%, Karoro 10.52%, Kaiata 15.27%, Paroa 16.73%, Runanga 19.02%, Blackball 16.62%, Camerons 24.53%, Dobson 18.78%, Gladstone 9.35%, Rapahoe 5.11%, Taylorville 13.8%, Ahaura 20.8%, Moana 19.93%, and Ngahere 19.86%.

These are based on independent property valuations, which saw strong growth in house prices relative to other sectors.

Other proposed rate rises are far lower, including some rural, farming, and forestry, which brings the average down.

The council is also signaling that while it will continue to maintain the council fountain, a replacement is not in the draft plan. It is nearing the end of its life. It will cost about $440,000 to construct a new fountain when it fails.

The Long Term Plan sets outcomes for the next nine years and how to get there.

The focus is on providing good quality, value for money core services - the water that comes from the tap, refuse and recycling collections, and wastewater and stormwater pipes.

Also included as core services are the local roads, footpaths and bridges.

The council is focused on what can be delivered without the need to increase rates above those absolutely required.

To read a summary of the plan, or the full plan for those up for a longer read, head to www.haveyoursay.greydc.govt.nz from Thursday, May 1, email a submission form to submissions@greydc.govt.nz, or scan the submission form and email it to submissions@greydc.govt.nz

You can also complete the submission form and drop it off to the council offices at 105 Tainui Street, Greymouth; to the Westland Recreation Centre, the library, or at one of our drop-in sessions:

• Tuesday, May 6, St John Rooms, Water Walk Road, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Combined afternoon tea to talk about the Grey District Council Draft LTP, Civil Defence, and Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA). There are four guest speakers: Caroline Shone from Community Energy Action; Zak Neale from Fire and Emergency NZ, Rosie McGrath from the National Public Health Service; and Jo Reid from West Coast Emergency Management. Some refreshments provided.
• Wednesday, May 7. Outside the Grey District Library in Albert Street, noon to 1.30pm, with sausage sizzle
• Thursday, May 8, noon to 1.30pm at the town square/Left Bank Art gallery, some refreshments provided.
• Monday, May 26 to Friday, May 30 – roving caravan pop-ups. Watch our Facebook and Have Your Say Grey pages.

Submissions close on Saturday, May 31 at 5pm.