The Council adopted its Annual Plan for 2008/09 at its meeting on 30 June 2008.  The overall rates increase for next year is 6.6%. A number of changes to the Plan were agreed to as a result of submissions.  The major changes agreed to were:

• Wilding Tree Clearance
Council decided to allocate $30,000 to the roading budget to begin work on wilding tree clearance on road sides, in response to requests from submitters for this work. 

• Coastal Erosion Work – Oamaru Harbour
A number of submissions expressed concern that action was needed to address erosion near the Oamaru harbour.  Council agreed to loan fund $30,000 next year to fund erosion protection design work and related consents at the north side of the Oamaru harbour.

• Skateparks
Four submissions were received requesting that Council consider developing skateparks outside Oamaru.  The Council agreed to provide an additional $10,000 from Resource Management Act Reserve Contributions to develop skateboard facilities across the District.  This funding will have no impact on rates. The Council will consider skateboard facilities later this year when it reviews a Draft Playground Strategy for the District.

• Hampden Transfer Station
Some submissions were received on the future of the Hampden Transfer Station.  Following a review of the District’s waste services, Council had previously decided to close the Hampden Transfer Station.  Council agreed at its meeting on 10 June that the station will remain open until the new Waste Management Strategy has been adopted.  The Waste Management Strategy will address the long term future of this transfer station.  The cost of the stations operation will be met from the 2008/09 waste management budget.

• Water Rate changes
An error in the Ohau water rate was corrected and the Duntroon water rate was reduced. 

• Fees and charges
Solid waste charges were revised, with residual waste and bag charges increasing and green waste charges reducing from 1 July 2008.  Some food premises charges and cemetery fees were also revised for 2008/09. 

• Funding of Council Services
A number of submissions raised issues regarding how Council services are funded.  These submissions have been referred to be considered as part of the review of Council’s Revenue and Financing Policy.  The Council will be consulting on changes to this policy in its 2009 – 2019 Waitaki Community Plan during March and April 2009.

• Sustainability, Climate Change, Peak Oil
Some submissions raised issues relating to sustainability, climate change and peak oil and wanted to see Council address these issues in its planning.  This is an area where Council will be undertaking further consultation with the community to help establish what role the public think Council should take on issues such as energy efficiency, sustainable living and sustainable development.  Council also intends to have further discussions with the Hampden Energy Group and other relevant organisations on peak oil and how this can be factored into Council planning. Council also agreed to allocate $1,000 to join a sustainable living programme.

• Community Group Grants
A number of submitters indicated they did not support a proposal in the Draft Annual Plan to reduce funding available for Community Group Grants from $50,000 to $30,000.  During the 2007/08 financial year some funding for community group grants was not allocated and this may mean funding in addition to the $30,000 in the Annual Plan will be available for community group grants in 2008/09. 

• Other changes
The parks and recreation budget was also increased by $19,000 to reflect contract costs, and a further $25,000 was allocated to make the Museum archivist position full-time.  A number of other minor changes were agreed to at the meeting. 

Council wishes to thank submitters to the Annual Plan and members of the public who took part in the consultation process through attending Annual Plan meetings.  Submitters to the Annual Plan will be contacted by August to advise them of the Council’s response to the matters raised in their submission.