Funding for ice rink key item for Annual Plan consultation
Funding support towards a roof for Alexandra’s ice rink is the focus of this year’s Central Otago District Council Annual Plan 2023/24 consultation.
It’s that time of year when councils throughout the country check in with their communities to let them know about the work programmes and budgets for the year ahead. Where councils propose to introduce anything new from what was consulted on in their Long-term Plans, they seek feedback via a formal submission process.
This year the only new item CODC is proposing in its plan relates to a request for a $400,000 grant from Iceinline Central Incorporated towards its project to construct a roof over its ice rink at Molyneux Park, in order to maximise rink use and extend its season. If a grant goes ahead, the cost will apply to Vincent ratepayers only.
CODC will open for feedback for a month from Monday 3 April.
Vincent Community Board (VCB) Chair Tamah Alley said she was keen to hear from Vincent ward ratepayers in big numbers.
"The Board recognises that finances are tight for many of our residents right now. We would love for everyone to give a resounding ‘Yes - we want this roof’ or ‘No, we just can't afford it’ so we can make the best decision for our community. We also need to consider that building costs are unlikely to get any cheaper in future years."
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan is encouraging everyone to check out the consultation document, which includes an overview of how key projects are tracking, what’s on the work programme for the next 12 months, and an explanation of the challenges council and its community are facing.
“While the Iceinline roof proposal is the sole item for which feedback is specifically being sought on, we have included an overview of what our community can expect in the year ahead, including what to expect when your next rates bill arrives and what’s driving our proposed district rates rise of 10%. We welcome people to take the consultation document content as a conversation starter and we’ve included mine and my fellow councillors’ details at the back if there are things our community want to discuss further with us.”
The public will have until 5pm on Monday 1 May to make submissions. The Annual Plan consultation document and supporting information will be available online at https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz and in hard copy at service centres.
