Friday 11 June 2010

Grant approved for West Otago Health

Clutha District Council has agreed to grant $1 million to the West Otago Health Trust for the proposed new health facilities at Tapanui.

Council will fund this grant by raising a loan which will be repaid through a uniform charge of about $88 per year for ratepayers in the West Otago Health service area.

The grant will be subject to all other funding needed to meet the full construction costs for the proposed facility being contractually confirmed; all other sources of funding being either interest free loans or grants; and the purchase of the building and fitting of the proposed facility being kept in line with Council’s procurement policies.

This decision was made as Council finalises its Annual Plan 2010/11, and follow extensive consultation and feedback from the public. A survey was mailed to the owners of the 887 properties in the affected area, with a total of 328 surveys (37%) returned.

Eighty-three percent of survey respondents felt the proposed new health facilities were important for the local community, and 62% supported an increase in rates of about $88 per dwelling per year for 25 years to help pay for the proposed facilities.

Councillors were generally supportive of the proposed facilities and felt there were enough conditions attached to the Council grant to allow it to proceed with confidence.

Council, which also yesterday confirmed the West Otago Health service area, will begin rating those ratepayers in the area for its contribution from 1 July 2011.

ENDS