Annual Plan adopted

Southland District Council has adopted its 2010-2011 Annual Plan. One further change was made on Wednesday at the Council meeting to adopt the plan, with councillors voting to transition the costs of the new wastewater and water operations and maintenance contract in over two years. Council had originally planned to allocate the costs on a per connection basis this coming year, but on Wednesday agreed to transition the changes over two years. Previously costs were allocated on a scheme basis.

Cr Lyall Bailey said bringing in all of the costs in the 2010-2011 year would see Te Anau and Winton paying considerably more and he was not comfortable with that.

Cr Diane Ridley said transitioning the extra costs in would give "everyone a little win" and would also enable communities to look carefully at their local rates next year before the full cost came in.

Meanwhile, Council will be looking towards a two-bin kerbside recycling programme, as long as the cost of the contract is not prohibitive.

Council was originally in a regional partnership with Invercargill City Council and Gore District Council for a three-bin/two-bin system, but issues have arisen with the other two councils.

Council has a budget for the two bins for an estimated cost of $1.87 million and staff will be working with contractors to finalise details and costs before the new service is introduced.