The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is seeking public comment on a draft long term plan Mayor Ross Paterson describes as ‘sticking to its knitting'.

'Council has a long history of sticking to core services and our ratepayers have been vigilant about us sticking to the knitting,” says Ross.

'There has been no change to this approach with this draft plan as it continues to focus on maintaining infrastructure, delivering core services and prudently managing debt.

'We have taken a number of steps already to reduce costs, for example reducing staff numbers and finding ways to deliver services more efficiently through shared services.”

The council approved its draft 2012-2022 Long Term Plan this week and is now seeking public comment during the consultation period from March 30 to April 30.

The proposed work programme in the draft Long Term Plan will come into effect on July 1. A copy of the draft summary document will be sent to all ratepayers next Friday, 30 March.

The draft plan, which must be reviewed by Council every three years, outlines what work Council will do over the next ten years, why it is doing it, and what it will cost.

'Community feedback is more important than ever because the Council's financial situation is directly impacting on ratepayers,” says Ross.

To help meet interest costs on growth-related debt, Ross says Council is proposing to make a contribution from general rates of $1 million in 2013 and up to $700,000 each year for 2014-2016, plus allocate $300,000 per year from roading rates.

It's also proposing to increase utilities charges by five per cent above inflation for 2013-15 and three per cent by 2016.

Recent property revaluations will influence how the proposals in the draft Plan affect individual ratepayers, says Ross.

'Although Council has no influence on the rise and fall in valuations, the variations do affect what owners pay because some rates are based on rateable values.

'The general trend in the latest valuations will see the rating burden move from rural to urban ratepayers. This is a reversal from six years ago, but is not unusual when you look at the three yearly valuation cycles over a longer period.”

While Council is anticipating an average rate rise across the District of six to seven percent in 2012-13 (1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013), Ross says many ratepayers in urban areas may have a greater increase as a result of new valuations, whereas ratepayers in rural areas may have lower rates increases.

'For 2012-13, of the $92.8 million forecast total costs we're expecting to spend, $55 million is just maintaining the assets we already have, as well as delivering the services we are legally required to."

The summary to ratepayers will provide information on what rates each property owner can expect to pay in 2012-13 and will explain Council's work programme and projected spending over the next 10 years.

The full draft of the Long Term Plan and associated documents will be available on Council's website on Friday, 30 March.

Submissions can be made online at www.westernbay.govt.nz or can be completed and handed in to any Council office.

Hearings on submissions will be held on May 15, 16 and 18 and will be considered before the final Plan is adopted by Council at the end of June 2012.