Waipā says hello to 14.8% rates increase, goodbye Cambridge Water Tower
Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Cambridge water tower is set to be bulldozed, almost.
Waipa District councillors have agreed to keep some wiggle room until the resource consent for the demolition is sought.
Ratepayers were presented with two options as part of Enhanced Annual Plan (EAP) survey - demolish the 120-year-old heritage building for $800,000 or restore it for a whopping $6 million.
A majority - 62% of 223 submitters wanted it gone - while 38% favoured restoring it.
Following the consultation, Waipa District Council moved to demolish it in Tuesday’s council meeting.
But “with a view to retain an open mind up until the point where resource consent is retained for that,” strategy manager Melissa Russo said.
Meanwhile, Waipa ratepayers will see an average rates increase of 14.8% for the 2024/25 financial year.
The forecast capital expenditure for the year has also increased by $5.5m compared to the draft annual plan, largely in water services.
The council also confirmed a one year grant of $30,000 each to Destination Cambridge and Destination Te Awamutu - given they maintain an online presence.
Other additional funding grants included - $7500 to Cambridge Community Board for ANZAC day commemorations, $5500 to Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board and $3000 to Pirongia Ward Committee for their discretionary funds, and increased funding for the Cambridge Town Hall from $400,000 to $502,999.
In March, council decided to hit pause on its Long Term Plan in favour of a 12-month budget due to financial challenges including the reinclusion of three waters costs and the resulting uncertainty around funding.
Mayor Susan O’Regan, at the time, said the council was in an unenviable position and it too had been affected by high inflation and interest costs.
As a growth council, it was required to pay for the infrastructure costs of three waters until an alternative delivery model was decided, she had added.
“While growth does ultimately pay for growth, there can be a time lag between us providing the infrastructure and developers being able to pay.
“At the moment growth infrastructure costs make up more than half our debt, and we are starting to inch towards our borrowing limit.”
It was estimated the closing debt at the end of the 2024/25 financial year would be $398.5 million - an increase of $101.7 million.
The consultation for the EAP took place between April 5 and 26.
During that time, 292 submissions were received and 31 people presented at the hearing.