27/04/2006

Rates to rise

Since my last column, Otorohanga Disctrict Council has been busy undertaking a number of reviews. These include a recent representation review to evaluate the district's rural ward and community board boundaries and appropriateness of the number of elected members.
This process has been widely publicised and I thank everyone who assisted council in its deliberations.
Along with Environment Waikato, Waitomo District Council and local interest groups, council is continuing to collaborate on a West Coast harbour management plan for Kawhia and Aotea Harbours to ensure the ongoing sustainability of these areas of significance.
A formal review of the Otorohanga District Plan begins in July and I encourage anyone with an interest in the district to participate in the workshops where possible to ensure the rules, policies and objectives that council implements through the plan on your behalf, continue to reflect the expectations of all residents and ratepayers.
Also out for consultation shortly is Otorohanga district's first Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) where the outcomes identified through public debate are matched to council's work programmes, estimates and future rating impact.
The proposed district-wide rate increase for the coming 2006/07 financial year is 8.3 per cent. Activities which are largely responsible for this increase include:
 Roading (3.9 per cent)-maintaining the district's roading infrastructure to the high standard it has been brought tip to over past years.
 Planning (1.4 per cent) - a combination of increased budget for resources and a new budget allowance for defence of resource consent decisions to the environment court through the RMA.
 Rural rates (1.8 per cent) - a result of rural reserves ending.
 Democratic process and miscellaneous (1.2 per cent).
Council's forecast rate increases range between 0.9 per cent and 5.7 per cent during the next 10 years, and public debt is forecast to peak in 2008 at about $14.158m and reduce to less than $1.5m by 2016.
These forecasts are based on current assumptions and do not include projects which may arise but are not yet forecast.
These figures do, however, include inflation, a requirement under the Local Government Act 2004 and the first time our accounts reflect inflation beyond the forthcoming year.
All in all, the Otorohanga District Council is in extremely good heart.
Many worthwhile projects are budgeted to commence, ongoing development and progress continues strongly right
across the district, and our maintenance programmes particularly roading are a priority.
Councillors, community board members, senior management and staff continue to work very hard together to ensure the district is managed prudently, efficiently and appropriately, and I thank' them for their commitment.
We are well served and it shows.

Consent row over bike track

Otorohanga District Council's hearing committee has 15 working days to decide the fate of the local motorcycle club's new track.
Meanwhile, Waitorno Valley Rd residents' peaceful rural living is in jeopardy.
Council held a second hearing regarding the operation of a motorcycle track on Waitomo Valley Rd last week.
Friday's hearing saw residents Ross and Vivian Roberts and North King Country Motorcycle Club members make submissions about the track, which was completed in September.
Mr and Mrs Roberts argued the location will ruin the ambience of the area, create more traffic and cause problems with waste disposal and traffic flow.
"Ambience is a big issue for us," said Mr Roberts. "it's a quiet area, with little traffic and I've lived
there all my life." in fact, the Roberts' family has 'lived on the block for 103 years.
"The location is unsuitable, with all the surrounding cliff faces in the area -- the sound will reverberate. Not only that but the soils aren't suitable, and it is right on a flood plain which floods every second year." said Mr Roberts.
Club member Jim Mclndoe told the hearing committee they had been visited by an Environment Waikato officer, who could see no problem with the establishment of the track.
"He even commended us on a job well done," said Mr Mclndoe.
The club has hosted the Waikato Championships and four club days at the track since September, despite not having received resource consent.
In May, the club applied for 10-12 days of use per year, out the application was withdrawn, and a new figure of 35 days including twilight meets, plus the Waikato champs held in October have been included in the latest application.
We need to operate the track a minimum of 28 days per year to be survive financially," said Mr McIndoe
"Basically, the track would be used twice per month maximum, weather permitting."
He said the benefits of the track include encouraging a family sport and good economic potential for
the town.
"When we have two-day events, people will stay in town, spending money on food and petrol."
Mr McIndoe said three sound checks have been carried out from different properties.
But living only 1200m from the track, Mr Roberts is concerned by the lack of testing.
"They have only done sound checks from houses by the track, but what about other residents on the road who have to put up with the traffic? It will affect everybody."
A sound check was carried out last year, which the Roberts' disputed.
"The second, and more accurate report was later done proving to be above the requirement of more than 55 decibels, but it wasn't given to the hearing committee on Friday," said Mrs Roberts.
Neighbour Brian Pitts-Brown does not entirely agree with the Roberts' view that the track is unsuitable.
Mr Pitts-Brown is also a Waitomo Valley Rd resident, and his son Blair's property is closest to the
track, 600m away.
"We don't oppose, or approve of the plan," said Mr Pitts-Brown.
"We know it is an extremely popular, family sport - and family activity should always be encouraged.
"And, the sound from the track isn't that bad. It has the same effect as a lawnmower running about 100m away - Blair and Lou don't oppose it, but they don't support it either."
He said he felt the greater good needed to be looked at.
"The economic benefits are considerable, and a more suitable location would be hard to find.
"And as for the events being a hassle - any event such as rugby, sport days, or even the Te Kuiti Muster are an inconvenience to some degree - so I think we need to look beyond our own views for the benefit of the community.
"Let commonsense prevail."
Mr McIndoe told the committee they had 110 submissions of support, and a letter from Transit NZ supporting their initial application.
However, Transit's environmental planner Jaime McLellan was invited to the hearing, presenting evidence on the potential effects of the track on the state highway system.
Mr McLellan's report stated Transit had granted the club's initial application asking for nine days of use per year, plus a further two meetings to be held for club purposes only.
"The new application varies greatly from the previous withdrawn application," said Mr McLellan.
"Their initial application also said the track would be in use between September-February - the summer months. Now Mr McIndoe is stating that it will be used all year round," said Mr Roberts.
"Obviously, Transit know nothing about this second application, and what about practices on the track?
"The application makes it look as though a group of locals will be blatting around on their motorcycles, yet international events on the track are also being proposed.
"As far as I'm concerned, recreation will be the by-product of a business out there.
"There are a large number of discrepancies and inconsistencies in the club's application. I think they have made a shoddy application, that doesn't tell us anything.
"It's completely unrealistic."
The Roberts' also expressed concerns that others in their community did not understand the effect the motorcycle track would have on their lives and property values.
"Viv and I have been opposed to this track from day one, because it is an unsuitable place. We don't have anything against motorcycle tracks in suitable locations," said Mr Roberts.
"Council appears happy to destroy our ambience, when they have a requirement to protect it."
The hearing was chaired by Hugh Earwaker, and heard by councillors Deborah Pilkington and Doreen de Haan.
The Roberts' have right of appeal, upon hearing the decision.