1310 days ago

Have your say on rates, rubbish and pensioner housing

Noel Smith from Noel Smith Councillor - Newcastle Ward

Feedback opens today on Waikato District Council’s consultation document as it looks to prepare the 2021-31 Long Term Plan, which is the district’s plan of attack for the next 10 years.

Feedback can be submitted online (link below), at the drop in session at Te Kowhai Hall on Thursday 22 April 6.30pm-8pm, at Council offices or libraries, or by phoning Council on 0800 492 452.

The plan, which is reviewed and updated every three years, is asking three key questions:
1. what general rate increase option you prefer
2. should Council sell their pensioner housing and
3. should Council continue our inorganic curbside rubbish collection service.

At the same time, Council also asking for feedback on the way they hand out funding, user fees and charges, their development contributions policy and the community hall catchment review.

More detail:
Council are currently proposing a “hard and fast” general rate increase in year 1 of 9% and then 3.5% for year 2 and 3 of the plan. Another option sets the general rate increase at 7% in year 1, 6% in year 2 and 4% in year 3.

The inorganic curbside rubbish collection service has been popular in the Waikato district for a long time, but it is becoming harder and harder to provide this service.

Council have 34 pensioner flats in Tuakau, Huntly and Ngaruawahia. They are proposing to sell these to a dedicated social housing provider.

shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz...

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