New Plymouth residents face drastic cuts in services and a range of new charges as the city tries to save $40 million. The savings are needed to meet a proposed rates cap of 3 percent on average over 10 years.
New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Pool and library closures, increased parking fees and charging to enter the Govett Brewster Gallery are among 23 options the council has identified to either make savings or generate revenue.
Mayor Andrew Judd said he proposed an average rates increase of between 3.5 and 3.9 percent in November last year, but was out-voted by council, and the need to make savings was a direct result of that decision.
"So now we will go line by line to test whether there is a resolve in fact to do these extra savings."
The initiatives would be debated at a full council meeting on Tuesday before going out for public consultation in the 2015-2025 long-term plan.