The proposed extension of parking fees to include weekday evenings and an idea that library hours could be be reduced has caused ‘quite a number to comment” says Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean..
The council wants to increase the parking rate in the CBD by $1 an hour and introduce paid parking in the CBD on weekday evenings, while a proposal to reduce operating hours in the Central Library is expected to save over $100,000 a year.
With the closing date 12 May the WCC is expecting a flurry of last minute submissions to its draft annual plan which explores ways in which the city might better save on expenses,  while also improving its income.
About 300 submissions have been received in the consultation period.
MacLean says important issues in this year’s draft plan include:
• A proposed $650,000 feasibility study on the design and construction of a new deepwater swimming pool complex in Kilbirnie.
• An 18 percent increase in sports field user charges.
• A five percent increase in landfill fees and household rubbish bags.
• A 2.5 percent increase in swimming pool admission and learn-to-swim charges.
• A six percent rise in burial and cremation fees.
Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says ”We need Wellingtonians to tell us whether they agree or disagree with what we have put forward,” Wade-Brown says. “Are the savings we are proposing the right ones in these times? Have we gone far enough or are there other opportunities for savings that we should explore?”
To make a submission go online to annual.plan@wcc.govt.nz or email your thoughts to  www.wellington.govt.nz. People can then have their say in person during oral hearings to be held until May 25.
All views collected during the submission process will be fed into the council’s strategy and policy committee’s deliberations in June.