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Environmental Services

Comprises Building Control, Planning and Development, Civil Defence, Dog Control, Stock Ranging and Impounding and Environmental Health.

Building Control

Rationale for delivery of activity

The rationale for this group of activities is to safeguard people and property by monitoring, inspecting and controlling all building construction and modifications in accordance with the Building Act 2004.

Community Outcomes

            Otorohanga has housing that satisfies the needs of the community and those who may consider joining the community.

            All residents have equal access to services and facilities.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

            Encourage sustainable building / housing design.

            Implement the Disability Strategy 2001

            What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

            Council has a range of statutory responsibilities, which are defined in the Building Act 2004 and other statutory documents.

Target Levels of Service

            Applications are constantly checked to ensure consents are consistently processed within the set timeframes and in line with policy guidelines.

            Thorough inspection checks are made to ensure terms and conditions of consents are complied with.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring that:

            95% of the estimated 300 building consent applications received by the Council are processed within 15 working days.

            All premises are inspected at appropriate times during construction.


 

Building Control Assets

There are no assets for this activity.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

Due to possible increases in compliance costs, Council maintains a policy of “user-pays” to ensure those persons or parties responsible contribute an appropriate amount towards the costs incurred, in order to reduce the burden on other ratepayers in the District and therefore keeping further rate increases to a minimum.

 


 

Planning and Development

Rationale for delivery of activity

This activity exists as a result of the statutory requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991. Under this Act Council is required to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources and to enable people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well-being.

Community Outcomes

            Existing economic strengths in the community are promoted and make the town an attractive destination for the small to medium businesses. That the business community is vibrant and progressive and a cornerstone of the greater community.

            Employment and business opportunities are increased and enhanced, and people in Kawhia benefit from these.

            All bodies of water are returned to their best possible condition. They are recognised and enhanced as living ecosystems and as having cultural significance for tangata whenua (local residents / people [of the land]).

            ‘Ownership’ of, and hence a sense of responsibility with, environmental issues is fostered in the community.

            A good, clean water supply is maintained.

            The concept of sustainable environmental management is promoted.

            The harbour and surrounds be cleaned up, preserved and protected (similar to the Raglan harbour care project).

            Infrastructure is adequate to deal with environmental issues from any development

            Appropriate environmental guidelines and controls are in place for Kawhia and they are enforced.

            A town theme is developed, based upon Kawhia’s unique historical, environmental, and “Kiwi bach” culture, in order to maintain its unique individuality and culture.

            Our identity is preserved and fostered. This includes our Māori and Pakeha inheritance and recognition of all cultures and religions.

 

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

            Include side streets in the extension of the CBD.

            Fundamentally entwined with Resource Management requirements.

            Identify, mark and preserve sacred and historic sites.

            Keep rates down by encouraging development that will complement Kawhia.

            Develop affordable freehold sections for Kawhia to grow.

            Address sewage problems.

            Work towards undergrounding power lines.

            Review planning documents to ensure environmental controls are appropriate.

            Investigate supporting the existing culture through changes to the District Plan.

            Protect the unique characteristics of Otorohanga’s coastal and rural environment.

            Forward planning is undertaken to ensure population growth and economic activity are well managed and balanced with existing rural activities.

            That the requirements in the District Plan for relocatable dwellings be enforced.

            Monitor subdivision and use of rural and coastal land.

            Regulate, monitor and police vehicles on beaches and public reserves.

            Protect the unique characteristics of Otorohanga’s coastal and rural environment.

            Protect our biodiversity, including indigenous species and habitats.

            Kawhia remains affordable to the average New Zealander.

            There is an adequate range of health and well-being, youth and adult social services provided in Kawhia.

            The Māori character of Kawhia is recognised and enhanced.

            Wahi Tapu sites should be identified and protected. This includes historically significant sites for all cultures.

            Our children are able to experience the culture of rural and coastal life fully.

            That lifestyle blocks, particularly surrounding the urban areas, are managed to ensure that they do not conflict or inhibit existing rural activities.

            That land-use is sustainable.

            That Kawhia and Aotea Harbours are acknowledged to be unique environments.

            That rural activities take precedence in the rural area.

            That our estuaries, harbours, waterways and wetlands are protected

            Develop environmental education programmes that highlight the importance of waterways, both environmentally and culturally.

            Development of a harbour management plan.

            Rural risks need to be considered when land is being subdivided.

            Biosecurity controls need to be enforced.

            Meet regularly with marae committees.

            Work with the Department of Conservation.

            Monitor water quality.

            Manage our water catchments.

            Maintain water standards at a high standard.

            Minimise stream degradation and erosion.

            Encourage sustainable riparian management.

What is the extent of Council’s Responsibility?

Council has a wide range of statutory responsibilities under the Resource Management Act 1991 and other enactments.

Target Levels of Service

            That community outcomes identified are actioned and achieved.

            95% of non-notified land use and subdivision consents are issued within 15 working days.

How do we measure progress?

            Monitor the actions and outputs in achieving community outcomes.

            To assess the effect of activities on the environment, Council requires resource consents to be obtained for various land-use and subdivision activities. Resource consents are processed in the targeted timeframe in accordance with provisions of the District Plan.

Planning and Development Assets

There are no assets for this activity.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

            Legislative change.

 



 

 

 Civil Defence

Rationale for delivery of activity

The rationale for this activity is to fulfil Council’s legal obligation under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and to fulfil the Community’s expectation that this service will be provided.

Community Outcomes

            That rural communities are aware of civil defence procedures.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

            Ensure that local communities can cope with Civil Defence emergencies in the first instance.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

            Council works with Environment Waikato, and the Hamilton, Waikato, Waipa, and Waitomo Councils to form the Waikato Valley Emergency Operating Area.

Target Levels of Service

            Update the local civil defence emergency management plan by
1 June 2006.

            Staff to be prepared for an emergency.

How do we measure progress?

            The Council has appropriate documentation in place to ensure correct procedures are followed in an emergency.

            Civil Defence is ready to respond to any natural or manmade emergency.

            Staff to have undertaken New Zealand Co-ordinated Incident Management System level 2 training.

Civil Defence Assets

            Trailer with associated equipment and shared RT system.

 

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

Loss of control from regionalisation.

 


 

Dog Control

Rationale for delivery of activity

The rationale for this activity is to service the Community’s expectation for health, order and safety and to meet the Council’s statutory obligations under the Dog Control Act 1996.

Community Outcomes

            Otorohanga is a safe environment to live and play.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

            Enforce dog control and provide a dog exercise area.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

Services include:

            The registration of dogs.

            The provision of a dog impounding service.

            The investigation of dog complaints.

            The education of dog owner’s and the general public.

            The performance of enforcement activities.


 

Target Levels of Service

            Promote the control of dogs in public places and prevent them from menacing people or wildlife.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring that:

            Complaints about dogs are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.

            100% of known and locatable dogs are registered.

Dog Control Assets

            Dog Pound at Otorohanga.

 

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement

No additional Asset capacity has been identified. Asset maintenance will be undertaken by Council staff or contractors as required.

Risks

Legislative change.

 


 

Stock Ranging and Impounding

Rationale for delivery of activity

The law relating to the establishment and management of public pounds, trespassing and wandering stock, and the impounding of stock provided under the provisions of the Impounding Act 1955.

Community Outcomes

            This activity does not contribute directly to community outcomes as currently identified.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

Nil.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

            Council’s policy in administering the Act is to respond to complaints received.

Target Levels of Service

            To ensure wandering stock do not endanger traffic.

How do we measure progress?

            By ensuring that complaints are responded to within 24 hours.

Stock Ranging and Impounding Assets

            Stock pound at Otorohanga.

 

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement

No additional Asset capacity has been identified. Asset maintenance will be undertaken by Council staff or contractors as required.

Risks

Legislation changes.

 


 


 

Environmental Health

Rationale for delivery of activity

The rationale for this group of activities is to meet Council’s statutory requirements of the Health Act 1956, Local Government Act 2002 and Resource Management Act 1991.

Community Outcomes

            All bodies of water are returned to their best possible condition. They are recognised and enhanced as living ecosystems and as having cultural significance for tangata whenua (local residents / people [of the land]).

            A good, clean water supply is maintained.

            Infrastructure is adequate to deal with environmental issues from any development.

            The rural environment is not a dumping ground.

            Fish stocks in the harbour are replaced.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

            To protect and promote the health and well being of the present and future population of the District.  These activities are largely an in-house function due to the statutory requirements to be complied with.  There are however, times when some elements are completed by external contractors and in partnership with other service providers such as Health Waikato and Environment Waikato.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

            Ensure that Kawhia’s septic tank systems are consistent with Environment Waikato policy.

            Development of a harbour management plan.

            Maintain a healthy harbour for eco-tourism and economic gain.

            Address sewerage problems.

            Discourage roadside dumping.

            Monitor water quality.

            Have more policing/ control of noxious weeds.

            Develop environmental education programmes that highlight the importance of waterways, both environmentally and culturally.

Target Levels of Service

            Environmental, public health and safety standards are complied with.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring that:

            All cases of communicable disease notified within 24 hours, with the results of the investigation, together with the action taken, reported to the Medical Officer of Health within 7 working days.

            Council’s drinking water supplies are monitored for microbiological determinants, in compliance with the criteria of the 1984 NZ Drinking Water Standards.

            All new on site disposal systems meet the criteria of the Regional Council’s rules, resulting in no degradation of the environment, or risk to public health.

            A liquor licence is held in respect of all premises at which liquor is sold or supplied, and every premise licensed for the sale or supply of liquor is managed by an appropriately qualified person.

            All premises in which food is sold or processed before sale complies with relevant food safety standards.

            Trade Waste bylaw requirements are implemented and monitored.

Environmental Health Assets

            Laboratory.

 

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

Legislative changes.


 

Statement of Cost of Service

 

2007/08

2008/09

2008/09

 

 

Annual Plan

LTCCP

Annual Plan

Variance

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME & INTERNAL RECOVERIES

 

 

 

 

Funding Assistance

1,400

2,124

2,000

(124)

User Fees and Charges

438,344

404,889

663,746

258,857

Internal Recoveries

67,500

62,450

219,600

157,150

TOTAL INCOME & INTERNAL REC

      507,244

      469,463

885,346

415,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENDITURE

 

 

 

 

Environmental Services Manager

-

-

168,812

168,812

Planning & Development

437,398

333,117

394,313

61,196

Policy Manager

-

-

442,255

442,255

Building Control

374,131

377,088

407,590

30,502

Civil Defence

40,400

38,916

44,400

5,484

Environmental Health

145,125

145,565

149,267

3,702

Dog Control

94,500

90,323

114,200

23,877

Ranging & Impounding

6,625

6,818

6,475

(343)

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

1,098,179

991,828

1,727,312

735,485

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING SURPLUS (DEFICIT)

(590,935)

 (522,366)

(841,966)

(319,602)

 

 

 

 

 

FUNDED BY

 

 

 

 

Otorohanga District

 

 

 

 

Rates and General Funding

592,585

524,654

640,886

116,232

Special Funds

-

-

200,000

200,000

Movement in Account Balances

(1,650)

(2,289)

1,080

3,369

 

590,935

522,366

841,966

319,602

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FUNDING

590,935

522,366

841,966

319,602

Total Expenditure includes Depreciation of:

225

225

225

-

 



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