Cairns lauds ORC's nil rates rise, rate reduction

Being able to keep general rates from rising and reduce the Dunedin transport rate while still being able to support new walking track projects deserves a slap on the back for the Otago Regional Council, chairman Stephen Cairns says.

"In this economic climate ... we should slap ourselves on the back to be able to pull that off," he said at yesterday's finance and corporate committee meeting.

The committee considered recommendations from the panel, which heard submissions on the council's draft annual plan for 2010-11.

Thirty of the 109 submitters made presentations to the panel.

While wilding pine control was the subject of the majority of those submissions, a funding request was declined.

The panel confirmed the draft plan's proposed nil rate increase for the next financial year and reported the Dunedin transport rate would decrease by 7% because bus contracts had come in under the estimated cost provided for in the draft plan.

The hearing committee recommended funding two walking tracks - $9000 for a Gabriels Gully walkway and $25,000 for a walkway at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

While the council had already granted $580,000 to Orokonui in the past, the panel believed the walking track proposal would allow the public to enjoy the biodiversity of the ecosanctuary.

It came with a "proviso" that the track be named for the council.

Cr Michael Deaker said it was a "profile project" given the council had not done much work in the biodiversity area "for some time".

Funding requests from the Taieri Mouth Amenities Society, the Upstart Incubation Trust, Central Otago Wastebusters and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust were also declined.

While the GST increase would not affect rates assessments for the next financial year because it did not come into force until October, it would affect bus fares and council's schedule of fees and charges.

The committee endorsed the recommendations and proposed they go before June's council meeting for adoption.

 

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