Roads A Priority In New Council Plan

By John Freer

Thames Coromandel District Councillors have approved the annual plan and the rates for the coming 12 months.

Average rates increase across the region by 11.6 percent – this will fund $50.5 million of capital works – included in this being $14.6 million of storm recovery projects.

Mayor Len Salt said it was not an easy plan to get across the line, his deputy Cr Terry Walker said it had been difficult, but he described the plan as being robust.

There is a change in focus with district councillors, who for some like the mayor, were signing off their first annual plan. And it was a plan which they would not have considered when elected to office late last year.

The storms and subsequent impacts have resulted in a significant investment in roading. Under the long-term plan, roading for the coming period was targeted for 20 percent of the total spend – in the annual plan this has been more than doubled to 45 percent of the planned $50.5 million.

On the other hand, water expenditure has been halved while wastewater is reduced from 21 percent to six percent. Storm water expenditure drops from 11 percent to six percent.

Community facilities spending has been halved from 10 percent to five percent, while economic development has been included at 14 percent.

Open the link below to hear an interview from Cr Walker.