Some projects exceed budget.

Several plan-change and commissioner hearings have exceeded their budgets as allocated by the Queenstown Lakes District Council's policy and planning department.

However, the many projects running under budget will compensate for the shortfall.

The council's policy and planning manager, Philip Pannett, yesterday told the council's strategy committee meeting more than 40 projects were provided for in the 2009-10 year.

"As in previous years, inevitably, several projects are above budget and several below," he said.

Commissioner hearings had a budget of $25,000, but at the end of January, the actual cost was $43,741, mainly from the costs of hearings on the Frankton Flat plan change 19.

The Arrowtown plan-change hearings would also add to the budget blowout by the end of the financial year, Mr Pannett said.

The council's affordable-housing policy, which has been appealed to the Environment Court, has exceeded its $40,000 budget with an actual cost of $73,246.

"This has arisen with the costs of preparing evidence for the Environment Court hearing."

Plan change 10 on improving amenity in the high-density residential zones had a budget of $20,000 but actually cost $41,614.

However, projects including Bible Tce plan change 5, plan change 28 and financial contributions had been completed under budget, ensuring overall expenditure in the department was within budget.

 

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