Hearings Panel recommends proceeding with Akaroa targeted rate

Akaroa ratepayers will pay a targeted rate from July to help fund the new Akaroa Community Health Centre if the recommendations of a Hearings Panel are adopted.

After considering more than 800 submissions from the public, a Hearings Panel has decided to recommend to Christchurch City Council that it:

• Provide a grant of up to $1.3 million to the Akaroa Community Health Trust (ACHT).
• Recover the money for the grant through a targeted rate on all properties within the Akaroa subdivision of the Banks Peninsula ward.

If the Hearings Panel’s recommendations are adopted, the targeted rate will apply from 1 July 2019 and will be an annual fixed charge that ratepayers pay on top of their normal rates.

The Hearings Panel is recommending the targeted rate apply for a period of four years.

“The Hearings Panel considered more than 800 submissions from the public and the clear majority of them – nearly three-quarters – said they were prepared to pay a little extra in rates in order to secure health services and facilities for their community,’’ says Hearings Panel Chair Councillor Raf Manji.

“Based on that strong level of support, the Hearings Panel will be recommending the Council include a grant of up to $1.3 million in its 2019/20 Annual Plan for the Akaroa Community Health Trust and that it recover that money through a targeted rate,’’ Cr Manji says.

The Hearings Panel’s recommendations will be considered by the Council in June, ahead of it finalising its Draft 2019/20 Annual Plan.

The new Akaroa Health Centre is being built by the Canterbury District Health Board to replace the earthquake-damaged Akaroa Hospital. The centre will be operated by Akaroa Health Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of ACHT.

ACHT has committed to raising $2.5 million towards the construction costs of the new centre and a further $500,000 for start-up costs to enable it to operate the centre from inception.

ACHT has raised $1.7 million to date. Last year it approached the Council to ask for help to secure the balance of its contribution.

An artist's impression of the new Akaroa Health Centre.