Media Release Average Rate Increase Held Down to 3.19%

The average rates increase across Marlborough in the coming year will be 3.19%.

The Marlborough District Council confirmed the rate when it formally adopted its Annual Plan for 2011-12 at a meeting today.

The figure indicates the increase in total revenue the Council will receive through rates compared with the previous year.

Mayor Alistair Sowman says the Council has worked hard to keep the rates take as close as possible to the rate of inflation.

Different geographic areas will be affected differently.

Council’s list of benchmark properties shows a typical increase in urban Blenheim will be just over 5% while for a remote Marlborough Sounds property the increase will range from 0.5% to just under 3%.

Councillors have managed to keep rates as low as possible in the face of significant budget pressures including such things as rising insurance premiums and fuel costs, said Mr Sowman.

“We set out to deliver an annual plan that is balanced - one that plans for the future, strengthens our infrastructure and delivers affordable rates - and I believe we’ve achieved that.”

“Councillors appreciate we are still in difficult economic times and we must hold the line on costs but we have also acknowledged our responsibility to invest a little bit into the Marlborough of tomorrow,” said Mr Sowman.