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Wellington City Sets Course: Annual Plan And Amended Long-Term Plan Adopted
Wellington City Sets Course: Annual Plan And Amended Long-Term Plan Adopted

Scoop

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Scoop

Wellington City Sets Course: Annual Plan And Amended Long-Term Plan Adopted

Investment for the year ahead has been set with the adoption of Wellington City Council's 2025-26 Annual Plan and an amendment to the 2024-34 Long-term Plan. 'This is a significant moment for Wellington City Council. After needing to amend our Long-Term Plan last year, we've collectively proven our ability to find significant savings and still deliver essential services and infrastructure over the next decade,' says Mayor Tory Whanau. 'We can now move forward with the projects Wellington wanted, while also investing in much-needed infrastructure and setting up our city for future generations.' Councillor Rebecca Matthews, Chair of the Council's Kōrau Tōtōpū Long-Term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee, says funding has been allocated to enhance public spaces, upgrade social housing, support vulnerable communities, foster arts, promote green initiatives including biodiversity, and address city safety. 'We've identified significant savings without compromising the quality of services the community relies on or delaying critical infrastructure projects.' The Council yesterday officially approved and accepted the plan and amendment, which was put out for public consultation between March and April. The 2025/26 Annual Plan and associated budget includes an average rates increase of 12 percent, including 1.4 percent for the sludge levy. This is slightly below the forecast for the year in the 2024-34 Long-term Plan. In total, the Council proposes to collect $628 million in rates during the 2025/26 year to fund services across the city. The Council is also creating a disaster resilience fund by selling some ground leases. This fund is designed to enhance Wellington's ability to recover from future disasters by providing a dedicated financial resource. Thursday's adoption was the final stage in the process of amending the 2024-34 Long-term Plan and 2025/26 Annual Plan and their respective budgets. The adoption is a requirement to implement rates for the 2025/26 year. The Council plans to invest close to $3.4 billion of capital expenditure in improving Pōneke over the next 10 years and nearly $9 billion towards running city services. The 2024-34 Long-term Plan was amended to reflect an October 2024 Council decision not to sell its shares in Wellington International Airport Limited. The amendment sought an alternative approach to addressing the key financial risks of underinsurance and lack of investment diversification. To manage the risks, the Council is increasing its borrowing capacity by reducing capital spending and creating a disaster resilience fund for use in emergency situations. Following the adoption of the Annual Plan, changes to fees and user charges have also been implemented. The Council approved the introduction of a $1-an-hour fee for the use of central city motorcycle bays, with a daily cap of $6, with the charge implemented on weekdays between 8am and exact date for implementation is yet to be confirmed. Most fees and user charges will increase, effective 1 July. There are several variables that impact on how fees and charges are set. These vary from activity to activity, and can relate to inflation, rising costs, market rates, policy alignment or the provision of new services.

Precautionary Evacuation Advised For Spring Creek Tomorrow Morning
Precautionary Evacuation Advised For Spring Creek Tomorrow Morning

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time2 days ago

  • Climate
  • Scoop

Precautionary Evacuation Advised For Spring Creek Tomorrow Morning

An Orange Heavy Rain Warning was issued by MetService New Zealand earlier today for Marlborough, running from 9am Thursday 26 June to 6pm Friday 27 June. The region is expecting significant rainfall especially about the ranges. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h or more, expected from Thursday late afternoon. There is still uncertainty about the duration of this event and a moderate chance of it being upgraded to a Red Warning. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are likely. Marlborough Emergency Management Controller Richard MacNamara said it was a dynamic event. 'All of Marlborough's emergency and lifelines agencies are up to speed and our response teams are ready to go.' 'While the rain forecast remains somewhat uncertain, the weather system does have the potential to stall and deliver additional rainfall on Friday.' 'With the Wairau River stop bank at Spring Creek in a compromised state*, we are taking the precaution of advising residents of Spring Creek township to plan to evacuate their homes from 6am Friday, tomorrow morning. They can leave this evening if they wish but the key time when the river may be running high is from early tomorrow morning.' 'Spring Creek residents are asked to stay with family or friends - have a grab bag ready and take pets and prescription medications with them.' The affected streets in Spring Creek are Dodson, Hathaway and March streets, and part of Ferry Road. Further updates will be provided, primarily through Marlborough District Council's Facebook page and the Antenno alerting app. Keep an eye on MetService for watch and warning updates at NZ Transport Agency are urging drivers to be ready for bad weather driving conditions on the region's roads. Read the latest update at: Remember, it is always important to be prepared. For further information on emergency preparedness go to: *Spring Creek stop bank at Peninsula Road - background information During the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, the stopbank experienced lateral spread, which was masked by road seal on Peninsula Road. The July 2021 Wairau flood further weakened its resilience and emphasised the need for a capital upgrade to maintain the current level of service, providing one in a 100-year flood protection. In January 2023, the Peninsula Road Stopbank project was reprioritised, and preliminary investigation works began. Funding was secured through the Long-term Plan process, with geotechnical investigations starting in May 2024, followed by initial design work. A $8.7M construction programme was agreed with the community in May last year, which includes $3.6M funding from Central Government. The project involves significant groundwork, which will commence in November 2025. During this period, rock and materials will be stockpiled near the site, temporary infrastructure like haul roads will be built, and other preparations made. This will help us maximise the construction window in November 2026. The Council has worked with the community to secure co-investment from central government for this project successfully. As the final design and construction approach near completion, Council plans to present a comprehensive update from its design team and contractor in early August 2025. The community's welfare and safety remain paramount during this period and are a constant consideration during flood events and planning.

New Library For Cannons Creek Gets Go-Ahead
New Library For Cannons Creek Gets Go-Ahead

Scoop

time05-06-2025

  • General
  • Scoop

New Library For Cannons Creek Gets Go-Ahead

Press Release – Porirua City Council The new building, to be placed on Bedford Reserve, near Cannons Creek Pool, will cost $4 million. Funding comes from already existing budgets within Councils 2024-34 Long-term Plan. A new library to be built in Cannons Creek in Porirua in the next two years is being hailed by the Mayor and city councillors as a facility current and future generations will be proud to call their own. The new building, to be placed on Bedford Reserve, near Cannons Creek Pool, will cost $4 million. Funding comes from already existing budgets within Council's 2024-34 Long-term Plan. A report to Council's Te Puna Kōrero meeting on Thursday outlined safety concerns about the current library, which is located alongside other shops, including instances where staff have had to secure the building due to disorder happening outside. The Cannons Creek Library, established in 1985 after taking over a former draper's shop, is 'difficult to secure safely', the report says. Despite this, it is a vibrant community space that has school visits and has become a thriving after-school spot, has a public computer hub and is a drop-in place for people to connect and relax. It also has a NZ Post box. The report also notes the ageing 1960s building has a leaky roof, limited natural light and heating, inadequate staff areas and not enough seating or study space. The building next door is potentially earthquake-prone and a seismic assessment of the library building is due in September this year. Mayor Anita Baker said a new library was critical for the suburb and will create a better environment for library staff and visitors. 'We've had unsafe actions out on the street that have come into the library itself,' she said. 'This is overdue for our community and something our people have wanted for a long time.' Cr Geoff Hayward said this was not just about upgrading a building, but 'preparing a waka for the journey ahead'. 'This is a gift, a vessel of learning, open to all,' he said. 'This community that has been waiting patiently for a facility that reflects its wairua, its mana and future. A new library is saying 'Cannons Creek matters'.' The library will be built with modular technology, meaning it will constructed in a factory and transported to the site, and can be added to or enlarged in the future if required. It will also have new computers for the public to use. Originally, $20 million was set aside for a community hub in Cannons Creek in the 2018-38 Long-term Plan, but agreeing to the $4 million proposal and bringing the project forward was supported by Mayor Baker and councillors. The community will be consulted during the design stage of the project.

New Library For Cannons Creek Gets Go-Ahead
New Library For Cannons Creek Gets Go-Ahead

Scoop

time05-06-2025

  • General
  • Scoop

New Library For Cannons Creek Gets Go-Ahead

A new library to be built in Cannons Creek in Porirua in the next two years is being hailed by the Mayor and city councillors as a facility current and future generations will be proud to call their own. The new building, to be placed on Bedford Reserve, near Cannons Creek Pool, will cost $4 million. Funding comes from already existing budgets within Council's 2024-34 Long-term Plan. A report to Council's Te Puna Kōrero meeting on Thursday outlined safety concerns about the current library, which is located alongside other shops, including instances where staff have had to secure the building due to disorder happening outside. The Cannons Creek Library, established in 1985 after taking over a former draper's shop, is "difficult to secure safely", the report says. Despite this, it is a vibrant community space that has school visits and has become a thriving after-school spot, has a public computer hub and is a drop-in place for people to connect and relax. It also has a NZ Post box. The report also notes the ageing 1960s building has a leaky roof, limited natural light and heating, inadequate staff areas and not enough seating or study space. The building next door is potentially earthquake-prone and a seismic assessment of the library building is due in September this year. Mayor Anita Baker said a new library was critical for the suburb and will create a better environment for library staff and visitors. "We've had unsafe actions out on the street that have come into the library itself," she said. "This is overdue for our community and something our people have wanted for a long time." Cr Geoff Hayward said this was not just about upgrading a building, but "preparing a waka for the journey ahead". "This is a gift, a vessel of learning, open to all," he said. "This community that has been waiting patiently for a facility that reflects its wairua, its mana and future. A new library is saying 'Cannons Creek matters'." The library will be built with modular technology, meaning it will constructed in a factory and transported to the site, and can be added to or enlarged in the future if required. It will also have new computers for the public to use. Originally, $20 million was set aside for a community hub in Cannons Creek in the 2018-38 Long-term Plan, but agreeing to the $4 million proposal and bringing the project forward was supported by Mayor Baker and councillors. The community will be consulted during the design stage of the project.

Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year
Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year

Scoop

time30-05-2025

  • Business
  • Scoop

Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year

Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whet, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast. The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May. Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities. To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council's debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges. 'We've stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,' Mayor Holborow says. 'Everything we're doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead. 'This is why we're continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services. 'It's why we're reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly. 'We're also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises. 'We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.' Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council's rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds. 'We'll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces. 'These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it's important we make sure we continue to invest in what we've got.' The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at in the coming days. Fees and charges adopted At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year. Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government. There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include: Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor. Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government. Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs. Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons. Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs. Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced. Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points. Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term. The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at

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