Media release: Have your say on proposed fees and charges
It's not too late to make a submission on proposed regulatory and non-regulatory fees and charges included in Auckland Council's draft Long-term Plan (2012-2022).
Submissions close at 4pm on Friday 23 March on a raft of proposals including changes to building control, dog registration, resource consent and some environmental health license fees.
"Fees and charges are just one of the many proposals in the draft Long-term Plan that we want people's feedback on. These are the final days to contribute to this plan, which will be pivotal to the future shape of the Auckland region," says Penny Webster, chair of the council's Strategy and Finance committee.
The changes to the proposed fees and charges are to: * Reflect the actual cost of providing the associated services * Increase the level of user charge recovery and decrease the proportion funded by rates * Simplify and consolidate the fee structure in some areas * Standardise fees across the region, where possible.
Aucklanders can find out more about the proposed changes at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/longterm
Details of some of the main proposals in the draft LTP are:
Environmental Health Licensing
* Consolidation of fees, from 350 from the legacy councils to 98, and move to recover 100 per cent of costs * Food premises: The annual registration fee will be payable based on the size (small, medium or large) of the business, and public health risk of the premises, reflecting that more time is required onsite to assess larger and/or more complex businesses * Food grading: Until a standardised region-wide food premises grading system is established, the council is proposing to remove the link between fees and grades (discounts or penalties) offered by some former councils * Discount for businesses with multiple licences (e.g. a hairdressing business with a manicure service on the same premises) of 50 per cent on the second fee.
Building Control * Hourly rates of officers increase by 6 to 10 per cent to reflect cost of service * Standardisation of property information fees and charges (excluding LIMS) across the region which will mean reductions in some areas and new fees where previously not charged * Standardised fee for swimming pool/spa compliance inspection (these currently vary) * Increase in building deposit amounts after customers indicated they wanted a realistic idea of final costs.
Resource Consents * Hourly rates of officers increase by 6 to 10 per cent to reflect cost of service.
The council is also proposing to increase non-regulatory fees by 3.3 per cent.
You can find out more about what fees are changing by going to www.aucklandcouncilgovt.nz/longtermplan