Waipā sets rates for coming year
25 June 2019
Waipa District Council has today confirmed an average 3.7 per cent rates rise for the 2019-2020 year, the same as that originally forecast in Council's 10-Year Plan.
More than half of Council's budget will be spent on core infrastructure including roads and footpaths, water treatment and supply, wastewater and stormwater. Around one third will go on community facilities.
Council's budget allows for the new wheelie bins recycling service beginning on July 1, costing each Waipa household $1.56 per week. Rubbish collection will continue to be provided privately in the district with each household choosing what service to use and pay for.
Council received 43 submissions to the draft Annual Plan and in response granted additional funds to a range of projects. They included:
- $50,000 toward the Zero Waste Education Programme in Waipā schools
- $40,000 to the Cambridge Historical Society for help in managing its collection
- an extra $20,000 per year (by targeted rate) to Commsafe in Te Awamutu
- $50,000 for a feasibility study to expand the Hautapu Sports and Recreation Club's facilities.
Council also agreed to underwrite a maximum $208,000 of any funding shortfall towards the new Ōhaupō Sport and Recreation Centre.
Money for most of these additional projects came from the Council's cash surplus or arbitrage reserve.
The total rates to be collected from the district next year will be $53.6 million.