Waitaki Valley residents appear to be satisfied with the Waitaki District Council's proposed 1.8% rate rise for the next financial year.
On Tuesday night 11 people were at a public meeting in Otematata called to outline the council's 2010-11 annual plan - in addition to 11 councillors, Ahuriri Community Board members and council staff.
However, there were some issues, including the cost of fees to camp around the Waitaki lakes which had reduced numbers, impacting on the local economy, the cost of upgrading the Otematata water supply, new public toilets in Otematata next to State Highway 83 to replace the old ones in the park, and beautification of towns.
Other issues included the use of amenity rates charged in Otematata, Omarama and Kurow, changes to the Otematata sewage treatment plant and the danger to children using the Hydro Place playground from buses parking for passengers to use the public toilets.
At the start of the meeting, Cr Struan Munro outlined the 2010-11 annual plan and said the council had about $700 million in assets which it had to maintain, repair and renew. Good planning was essential.
In its 10-year long-term plan, the council had forecast a 5.9% rates increase for the next financial year, but pruned that back to 1.8%, below inflation.
