Draft Annual Plan 2016/2017

Consultation on Rangitikei District Council’s draft Annual Plan 2016/17 is now open.

With a proposed average rates increase of 1.96 per cent, the change is expected to be one of the lowest increases in the region.

Council’s Chief Executive Ross McNeil says the combined low rates increase and staying well below the debt levels signaled in the long term plan is a continuation of Council’s excellent financial record.

"Limits on rate increases and debt are a key part of Council’s financial strategy. This approach to financial management has and will continue to serve us well. Our strong financial position will allow us to continue the programme set out in our long term plan – particularly the revitalisation in our towns, while maintaining service standards and funding essential infrastructure projects and other initiatives aimed at supporting the development of our District.”

Mayor Andy Watson is very pleased with the balance proposed by the draft Plan. “Affordability is a consistent message from our ratepayers, and we’re delivering on that. However, our communities are also telling us that we need to continue to invest in our towns and the infrastructure necessary to support growth and development of the District. This plan covers that too.”

"There are several projects and initiatives that we want to hear from the community about. These include the future of youth services, building a new amenity block on the Taihape Memorial reserve, and whether Council should support the development of multi-sports turf facilities in Marton. Council has the opportunity to bring forward the Marton civic centre development, so we’d like community feedback on that.”

A series of public meetings on the draft annual plan are scheduled across the District during April – details can be found on Council’s website.

Annual Plan 2016/17 Consultation Meetings

A copy of the proposed Annual Plan 2016/17 consultation document - “What’s new, what’s changed…? will be available at those meetings, as well as on the council website and at Council offices, local libraries and information centres.

Annual Plan 2016/2017

Submissions on the draft Annual Plan must be with Council by noon Friday 6 May.