Annual Plan 2011-2012 Thames-Coromandel District Council Annual Plan 2011/2012
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Thames-Coromandel District Council Annual Plan 2011-2012 Thames-Coromandel District Council Annual Plan 2011/2012 Adopted by the Council on 29 June 2011 Thames-Coromandel District Council 515 Mackay Street, Thames 3500 Private Bag, THAMES 3540 Foreword This 2011/2012 Annual Plan has been developed to: • Provide the reader with an outline of the Council's work programme and annual budget for the 2011/2012 financial year, effective as of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. • Identify any changes from what is described in the adopted 2009-2019 Ten Year Plan for that year (2011/2012). The Council is required to develop an Annual Plan under the Local Government Act 2002 (that requirement is to adopt and consult on an Annual Plan). This plan has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the Act. If you require further information on material in this Annual Plan please contact the Thames-Coromandel District Council on 07 868 0200 or email [email protected] Table of Contents Message from the Mayor and Chief Executive 1 Planning for the Future 3 Economic Development 3 Hauraki Treaty Settlements 3 Financial Overview 3 Conclusion 3 Introduction 5 What is the Annual Plan? 5 Overview 7 About Us 7 Our District 9 Things to Think About 9 Our Business - Activities and Services 15 Introduction 15 Community Leadership 17 District Leadership 17 Local Advocacy 19 Financial Summary 21 Planning for the Future 23 Strategic Planning 23 Landuse Planning 25 Hazard Management 27 Financial Summary 29 Strong Communities 31 Emergency Management 31 Economic Development 33 Community Health and Safety 35 Building Control 37 Social Development 39 District Transportation 41 Local Transportation 43 Cemeteries 45 Airfields 47 Halls 49 Swimming Pools 51 Libraries 53 Harbour Facilities 55 Parks and Reserves 57 Financial Summary 59 Safeguarding the Environment 65 Natural and Cultural Heritage 65 Public Conveniences 67 Landuse Management 68 Water Services 70 Wastewater 72 Stormwater 74 Solid Waste 76 Land Drainage 78 Land Information Memoranda 79 Financial Summary 81 Financial Implications and Forecasts 87 How to Read the Financials 88 Financial Statements 90 Notes to Prospective Financial Statements 103 Prospective Statement of Comprehensive Income 103 Prospective Statement of Changes in Equity 105 Prospective Statement of Financial Position 106 Prospective Statement of Cash Flows 107 Funding Impact Statement 109 Allocation of Rates to Activities 2011/2012 127 Analysis of Targeted Rates for Works and Services 2011/2012 128 Schedule of Fees and Charges 129 Schedule of Grants and Contracts for Community Services 155 Glossary 156 Message from the Mayor and Chief Executive Welcome to the 2011/2012 Annual Plan; the first to be produced by the newly elected Council. In this plan, we set out what we propose to deliver to our communities in the 2011/2012 financial year. Since the elections, your new Council has been busy reviewing the strategic issues facing the District and identifying the priorities that it has for the next three years and beyond. The Council is entering an exciting period with a number of important and yet challenging issues, such as treaty settlements, development of the aquaculture industry and the review of the District Plan. It is vital that the Council adopt a strong leadership position on each of these issues. They are all vital for the long- term prosperity of this District. Financial Overview Over the last three years the economic recession has had a significant effect on the local economy. While there are early signs of recovery, it is clear the recession will continue to be felt for some time. The Council has recognised these effects and has adopted a conservative approach to its upcoming work programme. The Council has sought to reduce expenditure where prudent, and realise efficiency gains in the way we complete our business so as to reduce rating pressures. The Council's rating requirement in 2011/2012 is $59 million (excluding GST). This represents a District-wide average rates reduction of 1%. (Note the average rate decrease excludes changes to the GST rate imposed by central government last year to allow an accurate comparison with the 2010/2011 financial year). The reduction has been made possible due to savings made across the business, including in our utilities area, a reduction in staff numbers through natural attrition and improved internal processes. The Council is forecasting capital expenditure of $33 million (excluding GST) during the year. The Council's total debt (internal and external) is forecast to increase to $126 million (excluding GST) by the end of the year. Economic Development: A focus on aquaculture and tourism The effects of the economic recession highlight the need for the District to take full advantage of our economic development opportunities. In this regard, it is noted that the Aquaculture industry has exciting growth prospects for the Coromandel. The Government has identified Aquaculture as a key growth industry and are looking to support it to become a $1 billion industry by 2025. As an export-focused industry, it has the potential to make a significant contribution to the national and local economies. Coromandel mussel production is expected to increase from the current 22,000 tonnes per annum to approximately 60,000 tonnes in the next few years. Thames-Coromandel District Council 2011/2012 Annual Plan 1 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE There are also opportunities for diversification into fin-fish farming with the Government proposing, via the Aquaculture Reform Bill, changes to the Regional Coastal Plan to allow for the development of fin-fish farming within Wilsons Bay. Consideration is also being given to the creation of a new fin-fish zone of 300 hectares in deeper water off the Coromandel Peninsula. If the Aquaculture industry is to realise its full potential, it is important that the infrastructure, industrial land and workforce that it needs are available. Through the Hauraki Coromandel Economic Development Group, the Council is actively working with the industry to explore the options for developing wharfing infrastructure. An initial wharfing infrastructure options report has been produced and will go through a broader consultation process prior to decisions being made on a preferred option. This work will continue to be a priority for the Council in the 2011/2012 year and as such, the Council has allocated $1.1 millions towards the development of a preferred wharfing infrastructure option. The Council will also be signalling its long-term proposals in further detail in the 2012- 2022 Ten Year Plan. The Council is also continuing to work with the Hauraki District Council to progress development of the Hauraki Rail Trail from Kaiaua to Thames, Paeroa and Waihi. This project has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits to our District. The Government have also agreed to contribute up to $4 million to its construction. To enable the initial stages of the Cycleway to be progressed, the Council has decided to contribute $450,000 towards the development of the leg between Thames and Paeroa, as well as continue to develop associated Council infrastructure to support the Cycleway. As part of the Ten Year Plan, the Council will also recognise the ongoing operational costs that need to be funded. The Council is also planning to continue to support the work of Tourism Coromandel, which plays an important role in marketing the Coromandel as a destination. In addition to this work, Tourism Coromandel will also be working in the next few months to ensure that the District benefits from the Rugby World Cup later this year. Hauraki Treaty Settlements: An important milestone for this district The Crown signed a Framework Agreement with Hauraki Iwi on 1 October 2010. The framework agreement sets out the broad parameters for a settlement of all Hauraki Treaty of Waitangi claims. Not only will the settlement resolve historic breaches of the Treaty, it will also provide a sound economic base from which Hauraki Iwi can move forward and advance the development of their people. They will also become a significant landowner and contributor to the economic well-being of the District. As part of the Framework Agreement, the Crown has agreed to explore with Iwi and the relevant local authorities the development of a co-governance regime over the Waihou and Piako Rivers. The Council is now actively involved with the Office of Treaty Settlements, Environment Waikato, Hauraki District Council and Matamata-Piako District Council in the negotiation process associated with co-governance proposals. The Council is pleased that the Crown has sought to involve it at an early stage of the negotiation process so that it can ensure that whatever model is agreed upon, can be made to work and be of benefit to the District as a whole. To manage the work associated with the negotiation process and whatever may be finally agreed between Iwi and the Crown, the Council has looked to reallocate existing resources to this process. In doing so it is hoped that we additional financial costs for ratepayers can be minimised during the 2011/2012 financial year. This reallocation may however, affect our ability to meet some other programmed works. The Council will look to signal in the 2012-2022 Ten Year Plan a number of the long-term implications of the settlement. Planning for the Future: District Plan review In December 2009, the previous Council adopted the Coromandel Peninsula Blueprint District framework. The completion of this work provides a sound framework within which the Council can advance projects like the review of the District Plan. A comprehensive review of the District Plan is a high priority for the Council. While there have been a number of positive changes made to the District Plan since its last full review in the mid-1990s, it is important that the plan is updated to reflect current thinking on how the District should develop in the future.