Bay of Plenty Regional Council has approved its Draft Annual Plan that includes a general rates increase of between $7 and $12 a year.

Council reports the rates rise is as forecast in its Ten Year Plan approved in June 2012.

Chairman John Cronin says the draft plan shows council is continuing with the direction set in the Ten Year Plan.

The draft plan sets out the Council's key programmes and projects for the coming year, how much they will cost and where the funding will come from.

'The local government environment is changing rapidly, with things like local government and resource management reform.

'Our Draft Annual Plan shows that in this time of change, we'll continue to manage prudently and deliver to the community's expectations that were agreed through the Ten Year Plan process,” says John.

'Work will continue on our major long-term projects. These include restoring water quality in the Rotorua Lakes, repairing flood damage to river and drainage schemes in the eastern Bay of Plenty and examining their long-term sustainability issues, as well as continuing our work to manage Tauranga Harbour,” he said.

The Draft Annual Plan is open for submissions from 26 March to 4pm on 26 April 2013. Copies are available on the Regional Council's website www.boprc.govt.nz or from Regional Council offices.