Rating Review hearings get underway this week

One hundred and seventy submitters will voice their opinions on the proposed changes to Hamilton’s rating system when four days of hearings get underway this week.

The hearings will be held on 10 November, 11 November, 14 November and 21 November in the Council Chamber.

In August Council gave the go-ahead to consult on the proposal to move Hamilton from the current land based rating system to Capital Value (CV), which is one which includes both the land and improvement value on a property. The proposal, to be introduced over five years from 1 July 2012, also includes a change to the way water and rubbish are charged, with property owners paying a variable amount for these based on the capital value of their property; as well as simplification of the current system of variable rates, and the introduction of a new rate to support businesses in the central city.

A total of 2763 submissions were received on the proposed rating system changes during the six-week consultation period – the highest number of submissions ever received by Hamilton City Council during a consultation process. Of these, 88% of submissions (2,493 submissions) were from the residential sector and 4% (105 submissions) from the commercial sector.

In addition to the formal submission process, informal feedback was also obtained through a Citizens Panel survey, the ‘Get Involved’ website (getinvolved.hcc.govt.nz) and Hamilton City Council’s Facebook page.

Analysis of the submissions show that the majority of submitters did not support any of the five proposals as part of the proposed move to a CV rating system – with 80% of submitters opposing the move to CV, 93% opposing charges for water and refuse being based on a property’s CV, 78% opposing the removal of differentials, 76% opposing the introduction of a lower differential for the CBD and 65% opposing the five year phase-in period.

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said: “The proposed changes to the city’s rating system is significant for the city so Council always anticipated that it would receive a high number of submissions on this issue.

“We look forward to listening to people’s feedback throughout the four days of hearings and taking it all on board before any decisions are made.”