Welcome to the Wellington City Council’s 2008/09 draft annual plan, which sets
out our work programme for 2008/09 and explains any differences –
new projects, and changes to existing projects – since last year’s plan.
We are forecasting total operating expenditure of $328 million, requiring a 4.8%
increase in the total rates take. This is below the 7.1% increase we had previously
forecast. We have done this by deferring some capital expenditure and by
making operational efficiencies. Reducing the rates increase further would
require cuts to the services we provide.
While some new initiatives are proposed in this plan, to a large extent the
increase in total rates reflects increasing cost pressures we face in delivering
key services such as maintaining the transport network and looking after the
city’s environment. These cost pressures are due to higher oil prices and rising
construction and energy costs.
This plan is a consultation document – we look forward to hearing your views
on our programme and on proposed new projects and budget changes.
Finally, in the coming year we will be reviewing our entire work programme
as we develop our next long-term plan, which will cover the period from
2009 to 2019.
As part of this we will be seeking your views on our work, the services – and
the service levels - we provide and on issues the city will face over the next
decade. This includes the balance between services and affordability. This is
a key challenge, one that needs your input, to ensure that together we make
Wellington even better.
GARRY POOLE