Ratepayers' Quarterly Update

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Ratepayers' Quarterly Update January 2012

From Harry

Happy New Year from everyone at New Plymouth District Council! The sun is beaming through my window as I write this – I certainly hope the weather is still cooperating by the time you read it!

2012 promises to be another big year for New Plymouth District. As always the first few months are packed with some great events, not least the TSB Bank Festival of Lights which is just wrapping up. This is one of many examples where our district really stands out from the rest of the country and your Council is privileged to pull it together each year. Long may it continue!

Hot on the heels of the lights is a Bowl performance from Creedence Clearwater Revisited while a few days later the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour comes to town.

Another reason why 2012 is a big year is the preparation of the 2012-2022 Long-Term Plan. Some readers will be aware that all councils have to prepare 10-year plans and update them every three years. The idea is to get councils thinking strategically about the future of their communities, to ensure we have a ‘big picture’ in mind when making our decisions. Our last LTP was 2009-19 so it’s time for an update.

Staff and Councillors are working together to prepare a draft plan for public consultation during April. We’ll send a summary of the draft plan to all homes in the district, as an insert in the North Taranaki Midweek. Please watch out for it and take the time to have your say.

Council services and facilities play a key role in all of our lives – why not get involved and help shape the future of our community?

Finally, 2012 will see further progress on two major projects – the pipeline to transfer sewage from Waitara to the New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the upgrade of the treatment plant itself. This work was previously put on hold for some years so I’m delighted we are now pressing ahead with it, having started in the first year of this Council’s term. We intend to complete this project by the end of 2013.

Our aim is always to provide maximum services at minimum cost and it’s great that we are doing these major projects while keeping rates among the lowest in New Zealand.

Mayor Harry Duynhoven

Make the most of summer!

Summer is here and it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the best New Plymouth District has to offer.

The fantastic TSB Bank Festival of Lights might be drawing to a close but there’s heaps more to see and do before the nights start drawing in.

Have you been for a swim yet? As well as the flagship Todd Energy Aquatic Centre in New Plymouth you and the family can also enjoy a dip at the Council’s outdoor pools in Waitara, Inglewood, Okato and Fitzroy Beach.

Fancy exploring the district and taking in some great scenery? Take part in this year’s Guided Walks programme. There are walks to suit all fitness levels spanning the length and breadth of our district.

Still hungry for more live music following the festival of lights? Get along to the TSB Bowl of Brooklands on 1 February to see Creedence Clearwater Revisited perform hits like Proud Mary, Suzie Q and Who’ll Stop the Rain? And if that’s still not enough go to the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour on 4 February and listen to Australian roots act John Butler Trio, American soul singer Aloe Blacc and our own Tiki Taane and Annabel Fay at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands.

Visit our Events section for more information on these great activites.

TSB Bank Festival of Lights shines brightly, again!

The country’s premier free lights festival shone brightly once more with sparkling light displays, fantastic daytime activities and awesome evening performances from a host of talented musicians.

Manager Events Melissa Devine-Collins says: “We just love putting on this event each summer. It’s a real highlight of our year and something we always look forward to!”

Something for everyone in Council communications

For some it has to be online, while others prefer to steer clear of computers and get their information in print. There are many who prefer the face to face approach and it seems there will always be demand for an efficient call centre.

As an organisation serving a district of around 70,000 people it’s vital that NPDC uses a range of ways to stay in touch with the community.

“Gone are the days when you had to call or visit your local council offices to get the information you needed or pay a bill,” says Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow. “People expect much more these days so we’re using multiple communications channels to offer something for everyone.”

Did you know you can pay your rates online, interact with us via social media or watch a Council meeting online? You can also download smartphone apps for the TSB Bank Festival of Lights and tours of some of the district’s parks.

“We offer all these options and more,” says Barbara. “But we also understand that this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – so we make sure we have high-quality service centres in our district libraries and the Civic Centre, as well as a 24/7 call centre that answers more than 90 per cent of inquiries without having to pass callers onto another staff member.”

Rates rebates reminder

The Rates Rebates Scheme provides rates subsidies for low-income homeowners. Rebate applications can be made at any time of the year. To see if you’re eligible call us on 06-759 6060 or visit ratesrebates.govt.nz

Rates by email

Save the trees and have your rates notice sent by email! Register at newplymouthnz.com/rates or call us on 06-759 6060.

We’re everywhere!

• Call us on 06-759 6060.
• Visit us at the Civic Centre or your local service centre.
• Read about us in our weekly Midweek page.
• Check out our award-winning website: newplymouthnz.com.
• Watch our videos at youtube.com/NPDC1.
• Talk with us at facebook.com/newplymouthdistrictcouncil or twitter.com/npdcouncil