City rates set to rise to fund €51m plan

BUSINESSES, motorists and householders in Waterford city all face a hike in charges and fees over the coming year after the local authority announced a €51 million plan for improvement projects.

The city council says promoting and developing a sustainable, vibrant and attractive city is the aim of Waterford City Council’s plan for 2006.

Presenting the budget, city manager Conn Murray said the local authority plans to invest €51.4m in the city and services this year, an increase of 9.4% over last year.

A separate capital spending programme will be presented for council consideration later this month.

Headline projects during the year will be the construction of the Western Link road from Butlerstown to the Old Kilmeaden Road, to begin this month and be completed by June.

Also in the plan is a €2.5m improvement of the Williamstown Road; an investment of €14m in a major upgrading of the Regional Sports Centre as well as a further €8m to be spent on the former Kilbarry landfill, creating a combined amenity area of 20 acres.

Some €22m will be spent on improving recreational amenities in the city, bringing the area of land available for leisure use by the public to 60 acres.

Other projects earmarked for special attention during 2006 include a renewal of the riverside walk along the Tramore Road; €2m for football pitches at Killure; the completion of the next phase of improvements at the People’s Park, including a skate park, playground and a small performance area, and an increase of almost 60% in grants to community groups.

To fund the council’s programmes during 2006, the city manager is proposing a 3.98% increase in rates, the lowest increase in nearly five years.

“The minimum rate increase during the past five years has been of the order of 5% and it is in recognition of the fact that the bulk of the burden in the past has fallen on the rate-payers, that the increase has been kept to a minimum this year,” said the manager.

The council is budgeting for increased income of 6.52% from central funds, making a total of more than €8m; an extra €333,000 from an increase in the charge for metered water to €4.10 per 1,000 gallons; an increase of 20% per hour in cost of parking and increased refuse charges.

Meanwhile, today’s reconvened annual estimates meeting of Waterford County Council has been blasted as a waste of time by members following the decision of county manager Ray O’Dwyer to use his legislative powers to introduce a new flat charge of €150 for refuse collection.

The move came despite unanimous opposition.