The future of Katikati's library and a proposed five per cent rates increase limit are some of the hot topics set to go under the microscope at Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Long Term Plan deliberations.

Throughout today and tomorrow, Western Bay councillors will deliberate on the LTP in the wake of an enormous amount of public submissions – more than double the number put forward in 2012.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

A total of 1060 submissions were received, with 132 submitters during public submissions last month.

Big issue items on the two-day agenda include stormwater, cycleways, the Katikati Library, the Katikati Museum and how council funds its swimming pools.

Ratepayers in the Western Bay are also demanding a rates freeze and a drastic pruning of the district council's spending programme as proposed in the LTP.

The Western Ward Resident and Ratepayers Association presented the demand with a petition of more than 2100 signatures during the submission process.

More than 600 submissions were made on the rates, with 421 supporting council's proposal to fund $2.5million of growth-related interest and debt from rates.

This was tempered by a desire that costs should be cut to accommodate this without further rates increases.

Many submitters outlined that the proposed rates increase limit of five per cent is too high.

A number of options ranging from five to zero per cent have been outlined, with five per cent the proposed option.

Councillors will also decide whether to go ahead with re-instating a museum in Katikati after hinting at backing a $210,000 fit-out over the coming year.

Last May the Katikati Heritage Museum closed its doors due to financial difficulties, with council taking ownership of the collection to ensure it is preserved.

Since then council and the community have been working to move the collection to a new home, namely the former Katikati Fire Station.

Council is also looking at moving the Katikati Library to a new $2.3million facility. The current library on the main street has been there for 27 years, after opening in 1987.

Council says it had planned to build a new library in 2021, but with the Katikati community wanting it to happen sooner, it proposes to bring forward the new build to 2016.

This morning councillors will discuss rates, stormwater strategies across the district and the Tauranga Moana Cycle Trails.