Tararua Rate Increase Decrease ‘Good News’

In a ‘good news’ move Tararua ratepayers can expect a districtwide rate increase of only 4% when the 2008/09 Draft Annual Plan is adopted on Wednesday.


With a series of workshops and many long hours Tararua councillors and staff have taken the pruning shears to the Amended Community Plan whittling back the forecast rate increase of 11.9% for 2008/09.


However urban ratepayers will still have to face up to the sewerage upgrades for Woodville and Pahiatua.


The result reflected the economic and climatic challenges rural councils were facing, chief executive Roger Twentyman said.


The council has achieved this by deferring some projects, opting not to fund $611,000 of depreciation and using available reserves.


The 4% increase will impact differently on the district’s three rating sectors.


For urban ratepayers the average increase will be 9.4%, with a 1.1% average for rural ratepayers and 0.7% for the industrial/commercial sector.


Almost all of the urban increase is to deal with sewerage requirements.


All the percentages include the influence of the UAGC (Uniform Annual General Charge) - which remains at $510 or 28.65% of the $% maximum – and the UACs (Uniform Annual Charges).


When the Draft Annual Plan is signed off on Wednesday the plan will then go out for a five weeks consultation period from April 5 – May 12.