Additional projects added to Council budget
8 June 2018
Waipa District Councillors have indicated they may add a further $2.56 million to the draft 10-Year Plan budget before it is confirmed at the end of this month.
This week's Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting indicated strong support for five of the six major proposals outlined by Council in its draft 10-Year Plan. The proposal to provide a $500,000 grant to a new Ōhaupō sport and recreation centre was also supported, but Council staff have been directed to review the catchment area for those ratepayers expected to contribute.
Following submissions and deliberations, development of the Te Awamutu town centre has been brought forward a year. Work also looks set to start earlier than anticipated on a new Waipā Discovery Centre in order to apply for external funding.
Some new projects, not detailed in the consultation material, also have gained support. They include new public toilets in Pirongia ($250,000), increased funding for the district's two i-SITEs (a further $30,000 each a year) and a one-off grant of $6,000 to Creative Waikato to help Waipā artists.
Council also looks likely to give $750,000 to the Cambridge Historical Society to help build a brand new museum in Cambridge. A further one-off $50,000 grant to assist the Cambridge museum with planning for its proposed new building is also being considered.
Councillors have also indicated they will contribute $150,000 for a memorial war museum to be built in Le Quesnoy, France. This grant would be contingent upon project plans being approved by French authorities. In addition to this, Council is keen to support a submission from the Brian Perry Charitable Trust by providing a $100,000 grant each year over three years to run a week-long cycling festival which will attract national and international visitors and contribute significantly to the local economy.
Despite these extra projects being included, as well as other changes made to the draft plan, Waipā's average annual rates increase over 10 years is looking to be 1.46% (without water charges) compared to the 1.53% previously forecast. Council will approve the final 10-Year Plan budget at its Council meeting on 26 June.