For the first time, all Central Otago residents connected to a council-run water supply will pay the same amount in water rates this year.
And each user connected to a council water supply will be charged the same base rate for the volume of water they use, also for the first time.
The Central Otago District Council meets today to consider its annual plan consultation document and an estimated average district rates rise of 3.1% is on the cards for ratepayers. The coming year's rates will be the first collected since an overhaul of the council's revenue and finance policy. Changing the way council-run water schemes are funded is one of the major changes.
Based on the figures in the document, all ratepayers connected to a council water supply will pay a water rate of $360.26 for the 2016-17 year. On top of that they will also pay 60c per cubic metre for the water they use. In the past, the water rate has varied from area to area within the district and the amount charged for the volume of water used has also varied between areas since metering was introduced.
The aim of the new charges is to bring equity to the district. In the new financial year, two new rates will be introduced on every rateable property. Every ratepayer will be charged a ‘‘tracks and waterways'' charge of $24.89 per property, to maintain tracks throughout the district and recreational waterway facilities on the shores of Lakes Dunstan and Roxburgh and along the Clutha River.
All ratepayers will be picking up the tab for Molyneux Park in Alexandra. Property owners within the Vincent Community Board area, which includes Alexandra and Clyde, will pay $36.41 and ratepayers in the remaining area will pay $12.14.
If the council approves it today, the document will be open for submissions until April 28. Submissions will be heard in May and early June and the council will adopt its annual plan at the end of June.
Annual plan: Major elements
CROMWELL MEMORIAL HALL, TWO OPTIONS MOOTED:
$2m earthquake-strengthening only or $4.5m refurbishment and future-proofing.
TARRAS PUBLIC TOILETS:
$255,000 to establish toilet at Tarras village, annual maintenance costs of $28,000 rated across district, or enter into a partnership with Tarras community to provide a toilet, both parties contributing to costs.
MANUHERIKIA CATCHMENT WATER STRATEGY GROUP:
$15,000 towards social impact assessment to support any future resource consent application for irrigation project.
CENTRE FOR SPACE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY:
$20,000for the centre, proposed by a Central Otago-led group which plans to create New Zealand's first satellite programme.
CENTRAL OTAGO WILDING CONIFER CONTROL GROUP:
$20,000 a year for the group to employ a project manager to oversee its work.
Annual plan: Rates
Estimated rates
Uniform waste minimisation charge (collection of three bins): $310.89
Uniform waste minimisation (no collection): $55
Targeted rate for recreation and culture (parks and reserves, swimming pools, museums, sports club loans assistance, community halls, other recreation facilities):
Cromwell ward: $405.24
Maniototo: $391.34
Teviot Valley: $259.47
Vincent: $357.87
Water rate (connected to council-operated water supply)
Connected (lateral provided): $360.26
Serviceable (no lateral provided): $180.13
New rates
Molyneux Park
Vincent: $36.41
Rest of district: $12.14
Tracks and waterways: $24.89
