The Waikato Regional Council signed off on a successful year in which it achieved more than 90 per cent of its performance targets and delivered a total surplus of $702,000.

The results and report highlights were noted when the regional council adopted its 2014/15 Annual Report during its full meeting held on Wednesday this week.

The report highlighted the work council has done with others to build a Waikato region that has a healthy environment, strong economy and vibrant communities.

Council chairperson Paula Southgate says through the strength of partnerships with others that the regional council can make real gains.

'Particularly around land and water, coastal and marine, and regional development, and this is reflected in the work that's been done,” she says. 'Over the year we've continued to build on existing relationships to maximise the opportunities for the Waikato region.”

Paula stresses that partnerships have been important for local projects like the Graham's Creek flood mitigation works, and the Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari project to safeguard the Hauraki Gulf.

'It's also been an exciting year for the council's talented staff, many of whom are specialists in their field and have hard their leadership, hard work and innovation rewarded.”

Examples of recognition includes the Green Ribbon Awards the council won in June for its role in leading the clean-up of the contaminated Tui Mine site on Mount Te Aroha.

Council was also recognised for its innovative CarpN Neutral project which mainly targets the pest fish koi carp, which contribute to declining water quality in the region.

In the 2014/15 financial year, the council achieved 92 per cent of its performance targets, compared with 88.2 per cent in 2013/14, and also delivered an operating surplus for the year.

After transfers to reserves and allowing for carryover of funds to finish works started but not finished last year, the surplus provides unallocated funds of $702,000.

These positive budget results reflect a wide variety of factors, including an ongoing focus on controlling and reducing costs, salary savings due to staff vacancies, and additional interest income from the council's investments.

During the 2014/15 financial year, the council's investment fund returned 9.1 per cent before inflation and fees, 0.3 per cent above benchmark.

This means council exceeded its long term investment objective of 4 per cent after inflation and fees, with the investment return over 10 years being 4.6 per cent.

2014/15 HIGHLIGHTS:

• 78.4km of fencing completed in priority catchments and significant natural areas
• 1374 sites monitored for environmental data, including water and air quality, geothermal and rainfall
• 42,542 native dune plants planted by volunteers at 18 of 24 beachcare sites on the Coromandel Peninsula and region's west coast
• 1732 resource consents processed and 9693 resource consents administered
• 86 heating appliances replaced in Tokoroa
• $214,440 granted to boost 10 community initiatives contributing positive environmental outcomes.

The annual report and summary is available online at:www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/annual-report