Today is decision day for the Gore District Council as it weighs up the submissions on its 2008-09 annual plan, with councillors meeting this afternoon to consider them.
At the extraordinary meeting held last Wednesday, there were 30 submissions received on the draft annual plan, with 10 submitters choosing to present their submissions in person to the council.
Submitters were seeking a variety of things, ranging from financial assistance to a vote of support to a zero rate increase.
A request was received from the Gore Counselling Centre seeking funding for its annual rates account of about $1500. It also asked the council to cover hire costs at the James Cumming Wing for community presentations.
The New Zealand Red Cross is seeking a $10,000 grant for fuel for the recently commenced Eastern Southland Rural Transport Scheme. The scheme will provide transport to Invercargill hospital three times a week and Dunedin Hospital once a week.
The Southland Healthy Eating Healthy Actions (HEHA) group wants the council to be a signatory to its charter and contribute resources, time and funding where relevant.
HEHA Southland manager Melanie McKenzie told the council the charter was a partnership to work together and build opportunities.
Several submitters, including Eastern Southland Federated Farmers, Southland Federated Farmers and former Gore District Councillor Sally McIntyre, submitted recommendations across a range of issues including parks and reserves, roading, recycling, healthy homes, appointment of a community development officer, appointment of additional staff, and rates.
Mrs McIntyre's submission concluded by asking the council to re-work the draft estimates to ensure a nil rate increase to ratepayers of the Gore District Council.
Both Eastern Southland and Southland Federated Farmers urged the council to look at ways of reducing its spending.
Eastern Southland Federated Farmers submitted that although dairy farmers and those in its support industries were enjoying buoyant times, those involved in sheep and beef farming and related industries were in their third year of nonsustainable returns.
Low and middle-income earners were struggling with price increases of basic commodities - such as food, electricity and petrol - and the council should look at ways to reduce their rates requirements, they submitted.
Other submitters to the annual plan included New Zealand Landcare Trust, Energy Smart, New Zealand Historic Places Trust and Gore Rural Ratepayers Group.
The meeting to consider the submissions will be held at 4pm today in the Council Chambers and is open to the public.
