Nukuhau boat pen users may face increased fees

Taupo District Council may increase the fees charged for the Nukuhau boat pens which are leased out for private boat storage at Nukuhau Reserve.

Council’s Taupo/Kaingaroa-Mangakino/Pouakani Committee has recommended that the fees be increased to $1400+GST for 11-metre pens and $1200+GST for 9.5-metre pens.

While the proposed increase will raise fees by almost 100 per cent, a Council assessment shows the current charges are considerably lower than other commercial storage facilities. The last fee review for the boat pens was carried out in 2003.

Mayor Rick Cooper says the Council must operate like a business, in a financially responsible way. “While we have no intention of competing with private enterprise, I’m adamant that we must receive market rates for our assets,” he says.

“Public assets are Council’s income and, therefore, they’re the ratepayers’ income. One ratepayer should not be subsidising another.”

The Committee also recommended that a new lease agreement be created to replace the existing boat pen permits which are believed to be outdated. The recommendations will need to be adopted by the Council before any changes are implemented.