Projects planned include:
Building the new Local Government Offices
The existing Council offices are completely inadequate for Council’s needs. The Council has resolved to progress with the construction of new offices as a priority, funded by the sale of three Beach Road properties and a loan. Repayments of the loan will be largely met by annual capital distributions from Marlborough Regional Forestry, reducing the impact on rates in 2008/2009 to around $10,000. This equates to $2.41 in rates for 2008/2009 for an average residential home with a capital value of $395,000 – that’s less than the price of a cup of coffee!
Then from 2010 onwards – once the full annual loan servicing costs are incurred – the cost for an average home could be up to $18.67. However, Council intends to lease its existing offices and the revenues from the lease would again reduce the impact from rates for all future years.
Building the new Museum
The Kaikoura Historical Society has confirmed that it wishes to join with the Council office building on Scarborough Street, and Council will now work closely with the Society to progress final designs and costings. The Museum will have access to grant funding for its share of the building, with any shortfall met by development contribution revenues. Preliminary estimates place the project at over $870,000 plus fitout. Construction of both the Museum and the Council office are hoped to be completed by the end of the 2008/2009 financial year.
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Building the new Pool, Gym and Sports Hall
Council has now resolved not to defer the sports aspect of the proposed community facility. Instead, in 2008/2009 Council will consult on the preferred location for these facilities. Once this has been agreed, the designs and costings can be prepared and working parties established to commence fundraising for each major component.
While the proposal to defer the community facility has now been rejected, Council does acknowledge that it is virtually impossible to construct the entire facility within the time frame originally stated in its Long Term Council Community Plan, which would have seen the facility completed by 2010. It also acknowledges that the future of the complex remains dependant upon sourcing sufficient external funds (such as community grants and fund raising), so as to reduce reliance on term borrowing.
However, by resolving not to defer the sports aspect of the community facility, Council is displaying that the facility remains a high priority and all efforts will be focussed on building a pool, sports and leisure complex that meets the community’s needs and desires.
New Water Reservoirs for Kaikoura and Kincaid
The new water supply for the Kaikoura Township is proving to be of an exceptional quality and reliable quantity. During 2008/2009 an additional water reservoir will be constructed at the peninsula, to increase storage capacity to 15 hours (from the present 4 hours).
Likewise, the Kincaid water supply will benefit from an additional storage reservoirs, plus an upgraded treatment system.
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New Sewerage pump station and mainline
The significant sewerage upgrades continue in 2008/2009, with the installation of a 2nd aerator lagoon at the oxidation ponds, and a new pump station and mainline at Churchill Street/Fords to cater for developments in that area. Funding from the Ministry of Tourism has made this project possible.
Another public toilet for a coastal reserve
While investigations continue into an appropriate site, Council considers the provision of public toilets on coastal reserves to be a high priority and has budgeted over $40k for more toilets to be developed once a location is agreed upon.
Depending on location and therefore the specific facility required, it is entirely possible that this budget could provide for two toilets.
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The West End gets a new footpath
The existing footpath in the West End will be resurfaced, designed to enhance pedestrian flow and the aesthetic value of the town centre. $200,000 had been budgeted for in 2007/2008, and the Draft Annual Plan provided for this to be increased to $300,000 in 2008/2009.
However, tenders have since been received for the project and are $100k higher than had been anticipated. Council has resolved to progress with the upgrade by increasing the loan to $400k in total.
Better parking, verges and walk tracks on the Esplanade
Beautification and enhancements recommended in the Kaikoura Coastal Management Strategy are ongoing, and in 2008/2009 the emphasis will be on providing casual beach access and walkways, including improved parking areas and verges, on the Esplanade beach frontage.
With a budget of $250,000, some funding may be able from Land Transport NZ (LTNZ), with the remainder funded from reserve contributions.
Churchill Street to South Bay Walkway
Council has recently received confirmation from LTNZ that it is eligible for $1 million funding assistance over the next ten years for walkway and cycleway projects, and proposes to spend $500k in 2008/2009 to develop a walkway from Churchill St to South Bay. LTNZ is funding 56% of this, leaving Council $220k to find. Council has resolved to raise a loan and is utilising the footpath renewal budget to pay the annual loan servicing costs.
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