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Last chance for public feedback on Covid-19 relief package

Local News
PUBLISHED: 25 MAY 2020
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The New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is urging residents and businesses to have their say on its revised yearly budget which helps cushion some of the economic blow of Covid 19.

The public are urged to complete a 5 minute survey on the proposed annual plan and go in the draw to win a $500 SOS voucher to support local firms.

Mayor Neil Holdom says the draft yearly budget isn’t set in stone and public feedback is critical to decision making.
“Council is playing its part to support our community and work alongside Government to minimise the impacts for those suffering from Covid 19 economic hardship and we want to know has NPDC got the balance about right between slashing fees for business, toping up our community grant schemes for grassroots groups, having a preference for Taranaki contractors when bidding for our jobs and a subsidised warmer and greener home insulation scheme. It’s our job to support struggling businesses and residents while keeping rates affordable, offering great services and juggling competing priorities.”

NPDC says all ideas are welcome but the five parts of the proposed yearly budget it is keen for specific feedback on includes:

  • Keeping tradies in work making residents’ homes warmer and greener via our expanded Home Insulation scheme, $7.5 million.
  • Slashing fees for local businesses including restaurants, hairdressers, cafes and builders, $1.3 million.
  • Giving faster access to boosted community funding for grassroots groups, $450,000.
  • Topping up property owners to help enhance main street buildings, $50,000.
  • Continuing to ‘Buy local’ and giving Taranaki contractors and suppliers an advantage when bidding for NPDC jobs.

Over the next year NPDC is facing a $5.4 million dollar drop in revenue and is looking for ways to cut costs. Proposed rates increases have been halved to about 2.5% for the average home and the operating budget is approximately $175 million.
NPDC has already provided the following Covid 19 relief initiatives:

  • $8 million rates relief package
  • $165,000 of funding to Venture Taranaki to support small-medium businesses
  • $1.9 million loan to the airport to cover its costs until the end of July
  • $90,000 for commercial and community rent relief.

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Page last updated: 09:26pm Tue 26 October 2021

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