Media Release
For Immediate Release
3 June 2020
Annual Plan closed for public submissions
THE Kawerau District Council invited residents and ratepayers to have their say on the 2020/21 Annual Plan.
The Annual Plan consultation document has been delivered to all Kawerau households last weekend. Submissions remain open until 5.00pm on Tuesday, 30 June 2020.
Due to current COVID-19 pandemic, the Council had delayed the 2020/21 Annual Plan process.
The aim of the Annual Plan Consultation Document is to advise ratepayers of the Council’s plan for the upcoming year. The submission process also gives residents and ratepayers the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process.
Kawerau District Mayor Malcolm Campbell said the 2020/21 Annual Plan “retains the focus on capital projects, such as the water pipe replacement programme at a cost of $2.171 million. Upgrades to the stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure were also planned costing a total of $537,000.”
The Annual Plan also outlines two upgrade options for the Maurie Kjar Memorial Pool Complex, which rely on securing external funding.
Residents and ratepayers are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification of any of the projects and work within the 2020/21 Annual Plan Consultation Document via phone, email or social media. Contact us >>
The usual ‘meet the Councillor’ sessions at Tarawera Mall were still being assessed due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Submissions can be made on the Council’s website using a new online form, email to submissions@kaweraudc.govt.nz, on Facebook, or by dropping a hard copy of the submission form back to the Council’s offices or to the Council drop-box in Islington Street during office opening hours.
Once submissions close, the hearings will be held on Tuesday, 7 July 2020. However, COVID-19 restrictions may change the way the public hearings are held.
After deliberations on the 14 July, Council will adopt the 2020/21 Annual Plan at the Council meeting on Tuesday, 28 July 2020.
The delay of the annual plan process, would also mean a delay in people being able to apply for the Government-funded rates rebate.
The Rates Rebate Scheme is a Government-funded scheme designed to benefit home owners on low incomes. The application for a rates rebate for the upcoming 2020/21 year could be made in August when the first rates instalment is being sent out.
A copy of the 2020/21 Annual Plan Consultation Document is available online, or at the Council Offices in Ranfurly Court in Kawerau.
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For more information, please contact:
Tania Humberstone
Communications Manager
Kawerau District Council
Mobile 027 464 3785