Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Artist's impression of the Encounter sculpture which will be located at the Southern Entranceway to Wanganui. Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Wanganui District Council 101 Guyton Street PO Box 637 Wanganui 4540 Phone (06) 349 0001 Fax (06) 349 0000 Email [email protected] www.wanganui.govt.nz Page 2 of 167 www.wanganui.govt.nz Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Contents Introduction Page Message from the Mayor 4 Message from the Chief Executive 5 Executive summary 6 Key projects and how they link to the Community Outcomes 35 Wanganui’s future – Family-friendly Wanganui 42 Council’s planning framework 45 Amendment to Council’s Long-Term Council Community Plan (10-Year Plan) 46 Groups of activities Overview 48 Property and facilities 50 Community and culture 68 Strategy and development 84 Infrastructure 92 Corporate and governance 114 Customer services 123 Financial information Financial information 131 Assumptions 132 Prospective cost of service statement 136 Funding impact statement 137 Rates information 146 Financial statements Prospective statement of comprehensive income 147 Prospective statement of financial position 148 Prospective statement of cash flows 149 Prospective statement of changes in equity 150 Statement of accounting policies 151 Fees and charges 159 Contact us 166 Glossary 167 Page 3 of 167 www.wanganui.govt.nz Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Message from the Mayor Dear Wanganui resident Last year when I wrote to you – seeking your view on our Ten Year Plan for the city and district – I noted the difficulty that the economic recession presented. A year later and that recession may be over, but economic growth is both slow and patchy. And for many Wanganui families and businesses, finances are both tight and tough. For that reason, this Annual Plan for the 2010/11 year is about balance. We are seeking to meet the needs of our infrastructure and community, against the need for ongoing rates restraint. At the same time we are aware that Wanganui needs to grow and must attract new residents and families, businesses and visitors. To that end, your council is still producing some of the lowest rates increases in the country, but engaging in projects and ventures that maximise the city’s appeal. Our average rates increase this coming year will be 4.7% - at a time when central government has significantly reduced roading funding; our investments in Wanganui Gas and forestry are producing negative returns; and new investment in water supply and combating anti-social activity is required. On the brighter side, we will complete the new Visitor Information Centre in the spring; complete an attractive Southern Entranceway to the city; put ‘soft’ water on tap to most Wanganui homes and businesses; and engage in a nationwide promotional campaign. We live in a great city offering a fantastic quality of life. I am very upbeat about our future – our finances, facilities, infrastructure and national image are on the improve. And we are more than coping with the crises thrown our way. Good on you, Wanganui! Michael Laws Mayor Page 4 of 167 www.wanganui.govt.nz Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Message from the Chief Executive In accordance with s95 of the Local Government Act 2002, the purpose of the Annual Plan is to: Contain the annual budget and funding impact statement for the year; Identify any variation from the financial statements and funding impact statement included in the local authority’s long-term council community plan; Support the long-term council community plan in providing integrated decision-making and co- ordination of the resources; Contribute to the accountability of the local authority to the community; Extend opportunities for participation by the public in decision-making processes relating to the costs and funding of activities of the council. This Annual Plan reflects the challenging circumstances being faced by council and our community. As always, we have prepared a plan that attempts to balance the community’s needs and aspirations with its ability to pay. However, we are also aware of the need to plan for the future. This is particularly true in the area of our infrastructure – the pipes, roads and water supplies that provide essential services for our community’s wellbeing. While the plan signals the completion of some of our major capital projects, there are still areas that need further work. Our stormwater network has variable levels of protection against storm events, with significant risk of flooding in some areas. In 2010/11 we intend to develop a stormwater strategy which will evaluate the major catchments, including Otamatea, Springvale, Mosston and Balgownie. The security of our water supply was highlighted by the failure of No. 3 Bore at Kai Iwi in 2009. Since then we have been working on the soft water project and finding new water sources. The focus now is to maximise the performance of the water supply to ensure consistency of volume and quality in the long term. We have had to reprioritise our roading budget following the Government’s decision to reduce New Zealand Transport Agency subsidies. As a result, we have had to exclude or defer some planned projects from our roading programme and this places the roading network at greater risk. We are lobbying Government for the reinstatement of the subsidies but indications are that this is unlikely to happen. An Industrial Transport Strategy is planned for 2010/11 to look at the particular issues for the Heads Road area and additional infrastructural needs of this zone. We are also continuing to focus on council’s family-friendly strategy by providing services and facilities that improve Wanganui as a place to live and visit. Community safety is a key aspect of that and in this plan we have identified a range of initiatives, from a variety of council activities, that contribute to making Wanganui a safer place. These have been grouped together under the heading “Anti-social behaviour” to flag council’s overall commitment to combating such behaviour. Looking to the future, we will concentrate on the effective delivery of our core services. We are also exploring whether we can share services with other local authorities in the region, and the possibility of establishing a unitary authority. The coming year presents many challenges for the council. Thank you for having your say on our Annual Plan for 2010/11. Kevin Ross Chief Executive Page 5 of 167 www.wanganui.govt.nz Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Executive summary The Annual Plan 2010/11 outlines the council’s financial and policy planning for the coming year. This plan is Year 2 of the council’s 10-Year Plan 2009-2019. This plan has been affected by major additional costs that had not been budgeted in the 10-Year Plan. These include: The withdrawal of $5M of Government roading subsidy. A significant deterioration in the local economy. The failure of No.3 Bore, resulting in additional costs to find new water sources. The $3M cash injection into Wanganui Gas which would have affected Council debt is no longer required. More information about this development is contained on page 12. The significant global recession, our community’s ability to pay, and the unexpected financial changes have given council little room to move. This budget is designed to meet council’s statutory requirements and also deliver services and facilities that provide for our community’s needs. At the same time, we are committed to improving the quality of life of Wanganui residents. Projects and services that reflect our family-friendly policy, and promote Wanganui nationally, are features of the Annual Plan 2010/11. Council is delivering an average rates increase of 4.7%, with variations between the residential, farming and commercial sectors. MAJOR PROJECTS FOR 2010/11 Riverfront redevelopment The council’s aim is to redevelop the riverfront area to make it the living, beating heart of Wanganui. What’s happened so far The $120M wastewater project has removed sewage from the river and generally regained it as a major recreational resource. Since 2005 the council has made a number of decisions that have put a positive focus on the riverfront area, including the new boardwalk and subsidising the re-siting of an integrated UCOL campus. In 2009 council made the key decision to construct and locate a new Visitor Centre on the riverfront and create a new frontispiece for Wanganui. The Visitor Centre is due to open in spring 2010. What happens next Our focus is upon creating a Riverfront Precinct which will convert the area into an entertainment and tourism hub which embraces the Whanganui River. We want to create a pedestrian friendly area, which incorporates heritage values, river views, public access, and a safe place for families to enjoy. Our budget includes $150,000 this year to develop initial designs and begin public consultation. There will be extensive communication to ensure that the redevelopment will benefit the council, business and the wider community. Southern Entranceway We want to have the best entrance to a city anywhere in New Zealand and draw travellers into the city. What’s happened so far In 2008 council initiated a project with Transit New Zealand and other interested parties to provide an attractive and functional entranceway from Marybank to Liffiton Street on State Highway 3. Page 6 of 167 www.wanganui.govt.nz Wanganui District Council Annual Plan 2010/11 Executive summary Work includes roading improvements and installation of a roundabout at the dangerous Wikitoria Road/State Highway 3 corner, plus landscaping and beautification. Council has chosen a sculpture ‘Encounter’, designed by architect Mark Southcombe, to be installed at the southern entrance.