Annual Plan 2017/18 - chance to have your say

Published on 10 April 2017

10 April 2017

Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall is urging the community to have its say on Whanganui District Council’s rates, budget and project funding for the coming year.

The 2017/18 Annual Plan Consultation Document was adopted on Tuesday, 4 April 2017 and opened for public submissions on Monday, 10 April. The Consultation Document identifies key changes from the 10-Year Plan 2015-2025 and provides information on other projects or changes to funding since the 10-Year Plan was adopted.

The Council is proposing an average rate increase of 1.9 percent, although individual property rate increases may vary.

Mayor McDouall said the Council had listened to concerns from residents about the levels of rate increases and had worked hard to keep expenditure to a minimum, and to focus on essential infrastructure and services.

“Our proposed rate increase is much lower than that proposed in our 10-Year Plan 2015-2025. This is indicative of the hard work of Councillors and Council staff. However, we know that there are a number of capital works that need to be undertaken in the next financial year to ensure the smooth running of this city and it is unlikely that we will be able to sustain a similarly small rate increase in the 2018/19 financial year.

“The feedback we get from the Whanganui community about priorities for the coming year is such an important part of the democratic system,” says Mayor McDouall.

“Submissions are also vitally important to ensure we are being prudent and accurate in the way we spend and that our spending benefits our whole community.”

Additionally, the consultation process encourages the community to give feedback on other issues or to point out what may be missing, he said.

More information on the 2017/18 Annual Plan Consultation Document, a submission form and supporting information can be found at www.whanganui.govt.nz/annualplan with hard copies available from the Customer Services desk, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street and Whanganui libraries from Monday, 10 April.

Submissions close at 4.00pm on Wednesday, 10 May 2017. Hearings will be held on Tuesday, 16 May and Wednesday, 17 May 2017.