Stokes Valley Asks to be Exempt from Rate Rise

Stokes Valley locals called for Stokes Valley to be exempt from any rate rise at the Northern Ward Committee meeting held on April 26.

At the meeting, Mayor Terris’s comments included:

A welcome for Audry Misipeka to the Northern Ward Committee,
Comment that there were five women and only two men on the Committee and said that would please some people,
Comment on the call for submissions on the Draft Annual Plan, saying they had already had approx.1400 responses. Most had favoured economic development,
Comment that the Council may look, at some point in the future, to name a walk way after Kate Alkema.

Colin Parker spoke and wanted more trees planted around George St and Delaney Drive. He also wanted to know why the car sales area at the entrance of the valley was blocked off.

Steve Ritchie spoke saying the call for submissions on the Draft Annual Plan was simply a way of hiding a rate rise when the City Vision - Terris team was elected on the promise of no rate rise.

Draft Annual Plan Meeting

At the Draft Annual Plan meeting held the previous Wednesday, locals noted that none of the money raised by an increase in rates was going to be spent in the Stokes Valley which has also effectively had a rate increase as ratable property values in the area increased by 15% just after the City Council elections last year. "It was the biggest increase anywhere in the city," Steve Ritchie said.

There are other options being considered, ranging from having council services reduced and having one and a half percent increase through to a 7½% increase this year with at least a 1% rise in rates each year for the next 10 years.

The Council clearly favours the 7½%, as they believe the it will improve the city’s infrastructure, improve amenities and create jobs.

The options as presented are:

Plan one

A rate increase of 7½% which would include an allowance for inflation, a waste water fee and also fund the following projects:

Project	Estimated Cost
Hutt Park, General improvements and roundabout	1.4 million
Indoor stadium and conference centre	3 million
Petone foreshore upgrade	1 million
Jackson street development continued	0.3 million
Central library relocation and upgrade	3.1 million
Upgrading the Dowse art museum	1 million
East west valley connector (a road from Eastbourne to Hutt CBD and the motorway)	25 million
New Cemetery in Hutt City	$50,000

Plan Two

A rate increase of 3½% This option is considered business as usual. It allows the Council to maintain the services it currently provides.

Plan Three

A rate increase of 1½% This is labeled “ the reduced services” option. The increase covers funding of the waste water treatment plant. It would however mean a cut back in some services, like library and swimming pool opening hours, and an increase in some Council charges. An overview of the plan can be found at www.huttcity.govt.nz. Submissions can be made up until 17th May 2002.