What is the 10-year plan 2015-25? • Provides an overview of the projects proposed for the next 10 years. • Explains the strategies used to make financial decisions and manage regional infrastructure. • Outlines what you get for your rates investment. In 2015/16 we’re proposing a rates increase of approx. $38 a year (or 73c a week) for the average home. • Explains how to provide feedback on our proposals. What key issues were considered? • How best to invest in good quality regional infrastructure (bulk drinking water, flood protection schemes, and public transport). • How to get people out of cars and grow public transport users and active transport such as walking, cycling, running etc. • How to ensure our infrastructure will be able to cope in a major emergency. • How to maintain and improve water quality, which is under pressure from more urban and rural development. Package 1 : Public transport infrastructure ($39m capital cost) • Rail infrastructure upgrades: track improvements, faster and more frequent services, express services, increased capacity, level crossings, expanded park and ride facilities, upgraded carriages • Bus infrastructure upgrades: Improved bus service reliability, improved facilities at interchanges; more and better bus shelters; improved signage; bike racks on buses; new modern low emission buses Package 2 : Protecting communities from flood risk ($51m capital cost) • Develop / update floodplain management plans • Build new / upgraded flood stopbanks • Floodplain works to protect isolated settlements and improve maintenance • Better community engagement, including with iwi Package 3 : Getting more people on public transport ($53m capital cost) • Fare Structure improvements: simplify fare products across all modes and services; 50% youth fare discounts; 25% off-peak discount; capped fares; no transfer penalties between services • Metlink customer services: improved information, website & online tools • Integrated electronic ticketing system: Smart card technology to be introduced across the region from 2017/18 allowing free transfers between all services Package 4 : Getting out and about - walking, cycling ($4.8m operating expenditure) • Increase the effectiveness and reach of road safety programmes • Increase support for school travel plans and activities that support safe travel for children and young people • Increase the number of programmes to help people make better travel choices so that our roading network works better • Deliver the Pedal Ready regional cycle skills training programme to increase the skills and confidence of child and adult cyclists • Contribution to NZTA-led Wellington to Hutt walking & cycling link Package 5: Keeping the water flowing ($126m capital cost) Providing emergency water following a major event (up to 20L per person for up to 40 days) to those parts of the region most at risk from a break to the bulk water pipes in Wellington City and Porirua City, including: • Cross-harbour pipeline linking the Hutt to Wellington City • Emergency storage lake at Takapu Road to supply Porirua and northern Wellington • Increasing resilience of Waterloo Wells to avoid damage in a major event Package 6: Environment and water quality ($26m operating expenditure) • Expanding partnership programmes with farmers to improve water quality & biodiversity through managing erosion prone soils, nutrients and fencing and planting along waterways • Helping grow the Enviroschools education programme • Expanding the regional possum & predator control programme • Accelerating establishment of catchment (Whaitua) committees to develop rules for water quality and water quantity limits Proposed rates increase for 2015/16 Enhancements to Outcomes Commitments Existing services 3.9% 4.8% 1.1% 9.8% $15 average increase for regional ratepayers for proposed service improvements $19 average increase for regional ratepayers for infrastructural commitments $4 average increase for regional ratepayers for existing services $38 per year per average residential ratepayer (incl GST) Next Steps Shape Your Region, supporting information and submission forms are available at www.gw.govt.nz/have-your-say • Submissions online or in writing • Submissions close 20th April 2015 at 4pm We are holding open days across the region where councillors and officers will be available to discuss proposals with the public.