Thursday 23 April 2009

Recycling, Recreation Centre among draft Long Term Plan proposals

Phasing in a kerbside recycling scheme over the next four years, as well as a $1.1 million contribution to the proposed Clutha Recreation Centre are two of the major projects proposed in the Clutha District Council’s draft Long Term Plan 2009-19 adopted for public consultation today.

The Long Term Plan is put together every three years. It sets out the projects and services Council intends to deliver over a 10-year period and how these will be funded.

Included in Council’s draft Long Term Plan 2009-19 is a proposal to progressively introduce recycling services over the next four years, beginning with recycling drop-off centres in 2009/10, kerbside recycling in 2011/12, and the kerbside collection of organic (green waste) in 2012/13.

“These services would come at a cost,” said Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes. “But the proposal comes in response to community demand, new legislation, and a general desire to improve our environment.”

Another ‘big-ticket item’ included in the draft plan, is for Council to contribute $1.2 million from 2010/11 to a proposed multi-use sporting and recreation centre in Balclutha. Although it is still subject to final design, it is intended to incorporate four to six indoor netball courts that could be used for other sports such as indoor hockey, soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball and indoor cricket.

The plan outlines several other key issues for the public to consider and make comment on. These include:

• Sustainability of swimming pools in the district.
• Main street improvements.
• Upgrades to drinking water supplies (with substantial government assistance).
• Upgrades to several town sewage treatment and disposal systems.
• Harmonisation (helping smaller communities with infrastructure costs).
• Changes to the rating system.

Further details of these proposals are outlined in the draft plan, which projects an overall rates increase of 7% on 2008/09. However, individual rate increases/decreases will depend on which rating area people reside. Some rural properties, for example, will experience large rates decreases next year.

“The next few years look like they are going to be challenging,” Mayor Hayes said. “However, now is not the time to be hesitant and by putting these projects forward and by continuing to maintain our other infrastructure to existing and better standards shows confidence that the Clutha District and the businesses and people within it have a good future.”

Mayor Hayes said all district residents and ratepayers should look out for a summary newsletter of the draft Long Term Plan, which would be delivered to their letterboxes within the next fortnight.

Full versions of the draft Long Term Plan are also available from Council offices and/or Service Centres, and on the Council website by clicking here.

Submissions to the plan close on Friday 22 May.