Cr Stu Piddington asked why this request had happened so late in proceedings. Carran said he was unsure, as it had worked closely with Audit NZ on both the consultation document and the draft LTP. Special projects manager Ashley Harper said although the council’s LTP budgeted for 100 per cent of all projects being completed on time, it had a target of completing 90 per cent of its work. “This is the first time we did the 90 per cent rather than 100 per cent. Our neighbours don t do this,” Harper said, Carran explained this was an approach that acknowledged there would likely be delays to certain projects, some of which would be out of the council’s control.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Timaru District Council’s draft Long Term Plan (LTP) proposes capital expenditure of more than $530 million over the next 10 years. (File photo)
An ambitious proposed capital works programme costing more than half a billion dollars over the next 10 years is outlined in the Timaru District Council s draft Long Term Plan (LTP). Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen said although the $530 million capital spending project was “ambitious”, much of what needed to be spent was on essential infrastructure, including projects such as the Pareora Pipeline. “There is a real need for quality infrastructure and core renewal of our assets,” Bowen said.
“The route the pipeline follows were significant traditional transport and food gathering areas for Māori, and we have to ensure we work in this environment with the utmost level of care and respect,” Hall said. “The area is an important archaeological, cultural and spiritual site, it’s a landscape that’s dominated by rock art sites on the limestone bluffs around the river which is of national and international significance.’’ Along the route of the pipeline there were also a number of suspected pre-1900 bridges and culverts, so the council was also involved in the protection of those, he said.
It noted that there were a number of projects which have had significant contracts let, including section one of the Pareora Pipeline upgrade ($5.7 million) , Te Ana Wai water treatment plant design and build ($4.2m), social housing improvements ($500,000), Saltwater Creek sewer main renewal ($460,000), Orbell St water main and sewer main renewal ($550,000) and Arowhenua Rd rehabilitation and bridge upgrade ($770,000). “Some of the above projects were contracted for a value significantly below the pre-construction estimate and approved budget, resulting in savings for council without affecting project completion. “In total, approximately $3m to $4m of savings were made during the reporting period.” However, the report also outlines a range of “at risk” projects which would likely fail to meet the June 2021 deadline.