Councillors’ decisions on the Long Term Plan submissions
21 June 2021
Councillors heard from 18 submitters to the Long Term Plan 2021 – 2031 on 15 June 2021 and received 160 submissions before the consultation period closed on 11 June 2021.
Councillors made the following decisions on the big issues:
- Uniform Annual General Charge lowered to 17.5%.
- Elderly Housing assets will be transferred to Destination Westland ownership.
- Extending the Hokitika Swimming Pool to include a warm water toddler or learners’ pool supported in principle with the Chief Executive directed to investigate external funding sources.
- Rates Remission: Adverse Possession Policy adopted.
The proposed projects for the Pakiwaitara Building, Hokitika Racecourse and Cass Square have been kept in the plan to allow for further public consultation on final decisions for the future of these assets.
An additional $100,000 per year was allocated to footpath maintenance, recognising the need for improvements to footpaths and kerb accessibility. Councillors also supported expanding the West Coast Wilderness Trail Subcommittee to other walking and cycling groups.
The final impact on rates and the rates increase will be known after auditors have completed their final audit.
Staff are working on the final document, which will be audited and presented to Council for adoption on 30 June 2021.
As part of the central government’s 3 waters reforms funding for infrastructure projects, Council has purchased two septage receiver units for installation at the Fox Glacier and Haast wastewater treatment plants.
