Support For 'Fairer' Rates Holds In Final Tally Of Submissions

Rating issues have continued to dominate in the final count of submissions to the Far North District Council's Draft Long Term Plan 2012-2022.

A total of 1118 submitters had raised 3200 separate issues when council staff finished logging submissions last week.

The figures include about 700 responses to multiple-choice questions in a summary of the draft plan.

They also include issues raised by 171 submitters who spoke about their submissions at public hearings.

More than 1000 comments made by submitters were about rating proposals in the plan.

More than 300 comments were about community services, while 150 were about roading and transport.

The figures are in contrast to previous years when roading and transport matters dominated submissions.

The change in emphasis is due to proposals aimed at mitigating rates anomalies and moving closer to a "fairer" rating system.

Most submitters have supported the rating proposals in principle.

Opposition has come from communities, including Russell and Hihi, which would face big rate increases if the council adopted a proposal to fund the capital costs of sewerage on a scheme-by-scheme basis.

Russell ratepayers and people who own high-valued coastal properties would also pay more if the council adopted a proposal to reduce the Uniform Annual Charge in the rate formula.

The council also received a petition signed by more than 2000 people who wanted a new indoor swimming pool in Kaitaia.

Another petition signed by more than 400 businesses and residents in Kawakawa opposed any reduction in council services in small rural centres.

A petition opposing a proposal to sell the council’s pensioner units at Kohukohu to a social housing provider had 178 signatories when it was presented at a hearing in Kaikohe.

Councillors will deliberate on submissions on June 12-13 before finalising the plan on June 21 or 25.