By 2021, the council will require a $34,512,000 rates take after councillors approved a plan that was more growth-focused than in previous years.
In a message to ratepayers at the start of the 274-page plan, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said after four years of belt-tightening and controlling costs ''Waitaki is on the rise. We have a plan which reflects that''.
Major plans for the next 10 years include: a feasibility study for a proposed $7million indoor recreation and events centre; nearly $6million on better roads; $3.9million on improving public toilets, and other visitor infrastructure; $1.6million on improvements at Oamaru Airport; $1.1million on Oamaru Harbour dredging, and a slipway upgrade; and $580,000 on seeking Unesco World Heritage and Unesco Global Geopark status.
During a month's consultation, the council received 158 submissions on: roads, recreation, growing the economy, ''tourism and places'', heritage, tourism, the proposed recreation centre, the natural environment, culture, and community.
After consultation, the council added new projects including: a community waste survey ($10,000); litter bin servicing collections increases in Waihemo, Ahuriri and Oamaru; the development of a masterplan for Oamaru Harbour and the town's historic area ($50,000), masterplans for Otematata and Omarama ($20,000 each); Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail maintenance in the first three years of the plan (increased to $150,000); Mountain Bike North Otago grant for spraying Cape Wanbrow tracks (increased to $15,000 a year); mountain bike jump, pump track ($20,000); Onya Bike safety pilot programme ($6750); improved pathways in each ward ($10,000); Waitaki Community Recreation Centre repairs ($70,000); Palmerston amenity rate (increased to $30,000); and the creation of a new ''heritage adviser'' role.
