11/04/2006

ODC drops plans for new Kawhia sewerage

Otorohanga District Council has abandoned plans for a new sewerage system at Kawhia.
The decision was made after it was discovered funds in the Ministry of Health's Sanitary Water Subsidy Scheme (SWSS) had already been allocated.
The scheme offered councils a subsidy of up to 90 per cent in order to establish sewerage systems in their area.
Public consultation was carried out and a preliminary questionnaire circulated to Kawhia residents earlier this year.
Feedback from the questionnaire indicated that 70 per cent of respondents favoured further investigations into the proposed sewerage system.
However, since discovering the subsidy was no longer available, council distributed newsletters to residents advising them current investigations will not proceed.
They intend to revisit the issue if more funding is made available.

Increase put on hold for Oto's rental units

Every cent counts.
Therefore occupants of Otorohanga's "Housing for the Elderly' units should be thrilled Otorohanga Community Board has decided not to increase their rent for the first time in seven years.
The decision was made at an Otorohanga Community Board meeting on March 29 following a report from customer services team leader Colin Tutty.
"Rentals for units at Windsor Court and Elizabeth Place were reviewed in April 2005 at which time it was resolved that the rental charged for the units be increased by approximately five per cent," said Mr Tutty.
However with plans to refurbish and upgrade the units in the 2006 / 07 year the board agreed that, for now, rent should remain at $52.50 per week for a single unit and $75.50 per week for a double unit.
"It is the first time in seven years that they haven't suggested any increases," said Mr Tutty.
Board member Tim Jones suggested council review the rent once the Housing NZ upgrade is completed.
The upgrade is expected to cost $660,000, based on Housing NZ's guidelines of $30,000 per unit.
Council has also budgeted $5000 in 2006/07 to refurbish the units.