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Michael’s Column – Stratford Press
31 March 2010
Rates Rebate
A reminder to those who have not yet applied for the Government’s rates rebate to do so now. If you think you may qualify, please contact the Council’s service centre.
Rates Remissions
Council recently considered its first ever application for a rates remission under the Heritage buildings category. This provides an opportunity for owners of recognised heritage buildings to receive some rates relief if the building status impacts its use. Applications cannot be backdated, so if interested, contact Council now.
Bridging the Gap Day
This day is jointly being organised by the Youth Council and the Positive Aging Group. It is on Thursday 27th May at the War Memorial Centre. Bridging the gap focuses on the community wellbeing for the people of Stratford and will involve a variety of interactive displays and demonstrations.
Indigenous Forests
Council is rethinking the way that its District Plan deals with indigenous forest and biodiversity.
45% of the Stratford District is covered in indigenous forest and of this 70% is fully protected by being either Department of Conservation land or under protection covenants. 93% of the total forest area is in the eastern hill country part of the District.
Council has released a discussion document which asks a number of questions about how our remaining forest is used and suggests possible answers to the monitoring and assessment problems. The main difficulty is in weighing up the need to protect significant forest and wild life against the need for landowners to be able to profitably manage their land. It is important that landowners have their say in the review to make sure that the approach taken works for them.
If interested, please obtain a copy of the discussion paper.
Draft Annual Plan
The draft annual plan is still open for submissions. The major issue you may wish to comment upon is the amount of seal extension you support. A reminder that 2km equates to a 2.32% rates increase; 3km is a 2.96% increase; 4km is a 3.61% increase; and 5km is a 4.25% increase. Those differences alter the dollar increase from $47 for the year for 2km to $62 for 5km based on a $216,000 value house in Stratford; and from $262 to $615 for a $5.1million valued farm.
TSB Pool Closure
The TSB Pool Complex will be closed for the annual maintenance shutdown from Saturday 1st May and reopen on Monday 24th May. This year the shutdown includes the roof cladding being replaced.
Unsafe Vehicles
A reminder that after Easter Council will be issuing tickets for unregistered or non-WOF vehicles found during normal parking inspections.
Radio Update
You can catch the Stratford District Council update every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:05am on the 1557AM Coast Breakfast Programme.
Remember you can contact us if you have any issues or feedback – we want to hear from you. You can phone us on 06 7656099 or email me at ceo@stratford.govt.nz
Michael
