Ruapehu opts for 6% revenue rise to fund improvements

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 581, 11 April 1995, Page 1

Ruapehu opts for 6% revenue rise to fund improvements

An increase in rates would be acceptable to ratepayers if the council was seen to be improving services, the Ruapehu District Council decided at their special meeting last Friday. Councillors accepted an overall increase in the rate take of just over six per cent on last year, in return for an almost complete 'wish list' for road works and community board projects. As usual, the actual change in rates bill will vary between ratepayer, depending on the services they use, their ward, and any changes in their land valuation. Some areas will see a larger increase in their rates and some will see a reduction. Not all of the increases are due to direct improvements in roads and water supplies. Some are needed to cover increased interest rates, and substantial increases in the cost of dumps brought about by changes in the government's legislation such as the Resource Management Act. The roading improvement programme has $488,000 set aside for works which include $147,000 worth of projects in the south with the rest being spent in the northern wards. Projects to be carried out in the south in the 1 995-96 year are: □ Seal extension past Ruatiti Domain ($43,500) □ Seal extension in Miharo Street, Rangataua ($36,500). □ Seal extension in Matapuna Road, Horopito ($33,670). □ Seal extension in Burns Street, Ohakune— acontinuation of work recently completed ($18,000). ^ □ Seal extension in T awhero Street, Ohakune ($ 1 5,500). Northern ward works include sealing of Onepu Road to the Owhango Domain ($47,000) and Poro Street at Raurimu ($4000). To be funded from separate ward rates are:

□ Seddon Street, Raetihi footpath cobblestones, stage two ($17,000). □ Moore Street, Ohakune, footpath from Clyde Street to Pensioner Flats ($15,000) □ Thames Street, Ohakune Junction, lighting ($3000). □ Martin Place, Ohakune, kerb and channel ($25,000). □ Ruanui Street, Waiouru, footpath ($3000). □ Service Lane cross-over and footpath, Waiouru, ($8000). One item, $25,000 for negotiation for access across a private bridge across the Makotuku Stream (owned by "a Mr L West"), was deleted from the Waimarino Community Board' s list. Among other capital works: □ Ohakune oxidation ponds upgrade ($295,000), for the construction of a wetlands system of treatment. □ Sewer upgrading for Ohakune is to cost $150,000, focussing on Miro Street, to "cater for considerable subdivisional development in the area", according to the annual plan notes. □ Raetihi 's oxidation ponds are to be upgraded at a cost Of $72,000 to provide power to the site and instal an electric aerator and an entry-controlled septage disposal facility. Also planned is $1 19,000 to be spent on the sewer system involving flow monitoring, smoke testing, property inspections, closed circuit TV inspection, consultant's fees reports and "the necessary upgrading work". □ An upgrade of the Pipiriki sewerage system will cost $9000, involving an additional pump, and Rangataua' s system will have a wetlands system established over three years with $3000 to be spent next year. Turn to Page 2

Rates rise to fund improvements

FROMPAGEl Stormwater systems come under attention, with National Park's to be investigated for overhaul — the investigation and design to cost $6000. Shannon Street, Ohakune is to have $22,000 spent on it with the shifting of the open drain away from the road. Work to divert flood water from Miro Street/ Goldfinch Street, Ohakune will cost $8000. Investigating a stormwater installation to cope with Raetihi flooding will cost $34,000. At present most Raetihi houses discharge their stormwater into the sewerage system, causing problems. $2000 is to be spent to alleviate flooding at the Raetihi fire station. Ohakune' s water treatment plant gets $24,000 to a "raw water turbidimeter and automatic coagulant dosing system" to reduce operating costs and improve filtration. Also, $20,000 is earmarked for hiring a consulting engineer to determine the appropriate upgrading of the reticulation system to cope with subdivision development; $10,700 to replace the rider main from Miro Street to the Big Carrot; $19,700 to instal a watermain in Rimu Street and $1500 to instal raised pavement fire hydrant markers. Other capital works: Tangiwai Memorial carpark and entrance is tobe resealed (cost: $25,000; Pipiriki township development - Stage Three, toilets and information centre ($20,000); Ruatiti Domain upgrade ($3000); Raetihi toilets ramp ($4000; Waiouru toilet carpark sealing ($9000). There is an allowance of $ 1 .8 million for reconstructing and sealing part of Pipiriki Road in preparation for increased logging traffic there. Maj or rehabilitation of 8 . 5km of the road will cost $961,000, seal extension of 6km will cost $498,000 and reconstruction of existing sealed road will cost $345,000. This work "forms part of the Transit New Zealand-subsidised programme" according to the annual plan notes.. See other stories inside.