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Issue #70 - April 2013

Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and storms can happen at any time, any where. All disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and take lives. Get ready now so you can get through! Many disasters will affect essential services and possibly disrupt your ability to travel or communicate with anyone. You may be confined to your home, or the complete opposite, forced to evacuate. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, emergency services will not be able to help everyone as quickly as needed. It is situations like these where it is so important

to have an emergency plan, that way you can look after yourself and your loved ones for at least three days or more in the event of a disaster. Involve the whole family in creating and agreeing on a plan that works for

everyone. This will help to alleviate fears about a potential disaster and allow household members to respond quickly and safely when a disaster happens.A household emergency plan will define: • What you will each do in the event of a disaster. • How and where you will meet up. • Where emergency survival items are stored and

who is responsible for maintaining/monitoring supplies.

• What you have in your getaway kit and the location of the kit.

• What you will do for pets, domestic animals or livestock.

• The local radio station to tune into for civil defence information during an event. In most emergencies you should be able to stay in your home. Plan to be able to look after yourself and your household for at least three days or more.

Assemble and maintain your emergency survival items for your home as well as a portable getaway kit in case you have to leave in a hurry.

Food and Water for at least three days • Non-perishable food (canned or dried). • Food, formula and drinks for babies

and small children.

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News and information from the Buller District Council - Te takiwä kaunihera o Kawatiri

Emergency preparedness • Water – at least three litres per person per day

– for drinking. • Water for washing and cooking. • A primus or gas barbeque to cook on. • A can opener. Check and replace food and water every twelve months.An Emergency Survival Kit needs to have: • Torch with spare batteries or a

self-charging torch. • Radio with spare batteries. • Wind and waterproof

clothing, sun hats and strong outdoor shoes.

• First aid kit and essential medicines.

• Blankets or sleeping bags. • Pet supplies • Emergency toilet – toilet

paper and large rubbish bags. • Face and dust masks. • Check all batteries every three

months.In the event of a disaster your best method of being kept informed is through the radio, so it is imperative that you have a battery operated radio. The following radio networks work collaboratively with Civil Defence emergency management authorities to broadcast important information and advice in an emergency: • National Radio • Newstalk ZB • Classic Hits • Radio Live • Coast FMIn an emergency find and tune in to your local station as they will broadcast official Civil Defence information that is appropriate for your community and situation. Record the frequencies for your local stations in your Emergency Plan, these can be found on the Civil Defence page of our Council website www.bullerdc.govt.nz/civil-defence. For more information on how you can prepare yourself, your household, workplace or community in the event of a disaster visit www.getthru.govt.nz

Message from Mayor 2 & Chief Executive

What’s new @ Buller 3 Libraries

Solid Energy Centre 3

NBS Theatre 3

Notes and Notices 4

Direct debit your rates 4

Draft Annual Plan 4 2013-2014

Dog resistration coming up! 4

Rural town water supplies 4

Annual Report SummaryFor year ended 30 June 2010

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Message from Mayor & Chief Executive - Annual Plan 2013/2014Laying the Foundations for the Future

In our Long Term Plan (LTP) for 2012-2022, we have outlined the projects we were going to deliver over the next ten years and, most importantly, how we were going to pay for them.In economic terms it has been a difficult year on the West Coast. Buller District relinquished its hold on the top spot for regional economic growth. However, Buller has managed to stay in the top ten, claiming 9th place in 2012 and is still the strongest performer on the West Coast. Buller employs 5,100 FTEs and generates $400 million in GDP across 1,200 businesses. Over the five year period, Buller has had the strongest employment growth of all districts. Over a five year period, GDP growth has been relatively solid, with the 12th fastest rate of growth.Despite the recent short-term economic setbacks in the mining industry, we are confident that mining will continue to grow and continue to underpin industry and employment within the District. The Annual Plan for 2013/14 will continue delivering the growth strategy set by the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan. This 2013/14 draft Annual Plan represents year two of the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan.Our predicted financial performance remains strong with operating revenue increasing as a result of a larger than anticipated drinking water subsidy for the Westport Water Upgrade. Increases in operating expenditure are partially driven by inflation and delays in the commencement of the proposed Solid Waste contract. This has resulted in higher than anticipated costs associated with refuse, recycling and operation of the transfer station. Not withstanding those individual cost increases, the overall cost of operating the Council has only increased by a modest amount, which is good news for ratepayers.We remain committed to addressing the infrastructure deficits built up by under-investment in earlier years. This will increase debt in the short term but our net debt levels will continue to reduce over the next 10 years. Prudent use of debt remains an important tool for Council. If used for community assets that have a long life, debt spreads the costs over those generations that benefit, in a manner that is fair and affordable. The key capital spends focus area for the next two years is the Westport and other smaller drinking water supply upgrades. In order to be successful and move ahead, we really do need

to invest in the modern safe core infrastructure our district needs and deserves.Initially we had planned to phase in the Westport water upgrade over the ten years of the Long Term Plan. But during 2012 and 2013, staff and Councillors held public meetings with ratepayers. Ratepayers told us that clean safe drinking water is their number one priority. Feedback received from the Westport Concept Plan confirmed that before we did anything else we had to “fix the water first”.We have listened and now we want to act. We are now proposing to complete the upgrade of the Westport Water Supply over the next two financial years at a cost of $9 million. Initially the experts offered three forms of upgrade. We could have a complete upgrade of everything, or we could leave out some nice but perhaps not essential components and have a partial upgrade, or we could just do the bare basics. In the 2013/2014 Annual Plan, Council has proposed that we opt for the middle course of a partial upgrade as the one which offers the best value for money. This upgrade not only delivers clean safe drinking water but also improves the reliability of the supply by upgrading the trunk main. Each of these options comes at different costs and as a consequence different target rates. Full details of the different upgrades, the capital costs, and the size of the rates bill that follows are set out on in the draft Annual Plan.We are keen to hear your views on the proposed Westport water upgrade scenarios. If you think that we should have selected one of the other options please let us know.We have already completed the Punakaiki and Reefton drinking water upgrades. The next in line are the Ngakawau-Hector and Waimangaroa upgrades which will be substantially completed in 2013/2014. In this plan, we also propose consideration of the Little Wanganui, Inangahua Junction and South Granity drinking water upgrades. We will also undertake an investigation to determine if an upgrade of the Karamea water supply is feasible.Council is progressing the move to a comprehensive modern rubbish and recycling service. Expressions of interest have been sought from independent contractors for the proposed solid waste contract and Council will shortly be entering into a tendering process with the preferred providers. This will expand the service collection area for refuse and recycling

throughout the District and the approach will lead to cost savings in Solid Waste. Final cost and expected supplementary user charges will become available during the consultation period for the draft Plan and those figures will be taken into account before any final decision is made.Originally we planned to have the new Solid Waste service in place by 1 July 2013, but the new target date is 1 January 2014. Unfortunately the delay in the commencement of the Solid Waste contract has resulted in increased costs as the existing service and cost structure has to be maintained until the end of 2013. The cost of rates is an issue that will never go away. A key project for 2013/2014 financial year is the rating review. Background information should be available to the Council and the public prior to October 2013, but the substantive review will be undertaken by the incoming Council after October 2013. At this stage we know that the average annual rates remains close to the median annual average rates reported by the Department of Internal Affairs in 2012. There does not seem to be so much a problem as to the amount of rates that we collect in total, but more of a problem in how we calculate individual rates and how much individual ratepayers should pay as a fair share. The large number of fixed amount target rates, and a UAGC set at the maximum level, has combined to produce geographic distortions. We also have the inheritance of 44 differentials on the general rate which further contorts the rating impact.The review will address the rationale for how the rates burden has been allocated, with the intention being to deliver a more equitable, simple, and transparent rating system. We now need your input on the proposals in this draft Plan in order that we can make the best choices for our district. We want to emphasise that no decisions will be made until after we hear from you. This document is only a draft Plan. Consultation remains open until Monday 6 May 2013, so please have your say. Any amendments will be incorporated when Council adopts the Final Plan in June 2013.

Pat McManus Paul Wylie Mayor Chief Executive

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What’s new @ Buller LibrariesW I N D O W S T O R E A D I N G . . .

NEW BOOK AT THE LIBRARYDo you own a 1/4 acre residential property and have thought about subdividing it?

Are you a property developer and want to take the next step up with residential subdivisions?Or do you simply just want to know the steps to perform a residential subdivision? A new book available at Buller District Library appears to be a helpful complete guide on 1/4 acre residential property subdivisions in New Zealand. It is based on the experiences of the author, Toa Greening, when sub-dividing a quarter acre section. It will show how property owners could gain through property subdivision. More importantly it will teach how to

successfully subdivide property yourself with step by step advice for avoiding some common pitfalls. By the end of this book readers will learn the various aspects of property investments, purchasing their first home, rental property, selling properties and residential subdivisions. Readers will also learn how to avoid property development mistakes. Finally, this book is a brief snapshot of those property development experiences the author made between 1995 and 2010, including some personal opinions as well as never seen before analysis on the New Zealand property booms of the last two decades.

For more information ring NBS Theatre 789 4219 or see our website www.nbstheatre.co.nz See ya at the theatre.

April14th April – Kings of the Gym – Live theatre/comedy21st April - Kath Bee and her band presents “Grandparents Rock” - live music for children of all ages! and balloon bees23rd-27th April – Westport Performing Arts Competitions

WHATS IN IT FOR ME?

► Full Gym Access ► FREE access to 26 Fitness Classes* ► 2 FREE Personal Training Sessions ► FREE Programme ► Nutritional Advice ► Highly skilled staff, ongoing support

from 15th March until 30th April 2013 * Excluding Boot Camp and Aqua Aerobics

Coming up at the NBS TheatreMay4-5th - Best of the West Awards - 25th Year11th – Haggis Sandwich – Celtic flavoured music27th – Westport Early Learning Centre presents NIGEL LATTA

This book is only one example of the many titles we have for residential development, home builders, renovators or even landscape designers. Ratepayers or permanent residents in the Buller district qualify for free membership at Buller district libraries in Westport and Reefton. Contact us on 03 788-8030 to find out more or check www.bullerdc.govt.nz/library

The Buller District library is now officially on Facebook! Like us to follow our news, events, celebrations and more. We’ll be

posting lots of interesting stuff, photos, and answering any questions you might have!

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Notes and NoticesYou are warmly invited to attend the Council meetings listed below.

CouNCIL24 April 2013, Starting at 2pm Solid Energy Centre, Westport

22 May 2013, Starting at 2pm Solid Energy Centre, Westport

26 June 2013, Starting at 2pm Council Chambers, Palmerston Street

If you have any enquiries regarding the above Council meetings, or would like to indicate your interest in speaking during the public forum, please contact Linda Pablecheque 788 9642.

If you have any enquiries regarding the above meeting, or would like to indicate your interest in speaking at the public forum, please contact Mary Wilson at mary@bdc.govt.nz or 788 9618.

Rural town water supplies – public noticeThe Buller District Council wishes to advise and/or remind all consumers on the rural town water supplies at Little Wanganui Subdivision, Mokihinui, Ngakawau/Hector, South Granity and Waimangaroa, to boil all drinking water and water used for food preparation for at least three minutes.These water supplies are untreated and originate from bush catchments where there is always a potential for the water to be contaminated from a variety of animal and bird life.

WESTPoRT address Brougham Street PO Box 21 Westport 7866 ph 03 788 9111 fax 03 788 8041 free phone 0800 807 239

REEFToN address 66 Broadway PO Box 75 Reefton 7851 ph 03 732 8821 fax 03 732 8822 free phone 0800 808 821

Solid Energy Centre address Corner Pakington and Domett Streets Westport ph 789 8316

www.solidenergycentre.co.nz

NBS Theatre address 105 Palmerston Street Westport ph 789 4219

www.nbstheatre.co.nz

Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library address Palmerston Street Westport ph 788 8030 fax 788 8147

24 Hour Noise Control Services ph 788 9115

24 Hour Animal Control Services ph 788 9111

After hours operations emergencies Westport ph 788 9119 Reefton ph 732 8092- cemeteries - roading - sewerage - rural fire - stormwater - water - refuse - council property

Buller District Council email info@bdc.govt.nz website www.bullerdc.govt.nz

The Buller Community Newsletter is produced by Buller Printing for Buller District Council. For circulation enquiries, please contact Buller Printing on ph 789 8858. For editorial enquiries, please contact Buller District Council on 788 9111.

Direct debit your rates

Paying your rates in quarterly instalments is often a strain on the finances as bills are always coming in. You have the option to pay your rates in instalments of weekly, fortnightly, or monthly to spread the cost and ease the financial pressure. You can also choose to have your rates direct debited quarterly or annually. All you need to do is complete a Rates direct debit application form which can be collected from Council offices in Westport or Reefton or from our website www.bullerdc.govt.nz/rates.When you sign up to the direct debit system of payment, your rates will automatically adjust at the beginning of the new financial year. So for example, if your rates increase by $10 per week or decrease by $10 per week for the year starting 1 July – 30 June, the new amount is what is

deducted from your account. This means you don’t have to worry about making sure the correct amount is being deducted.

Dog registration coming up!July is the time to get your pooch registered for the year. You can start pre-paying your dog registration now if you like. The price for registration hasn’t been confirmed yet but it is expected that the changes in the Animal Control area will be minimal. You will receive a letter from Council in June advising the cost to register your dog/dogs and the date which this needs to be paid by. If you have moved recently, please ensure that you have let the team at Council know. You can give us a call on 0800 807 239 to check that we have your correct address.