Regional Council reduces proposed rates increase

Greater Wellington Regional Council has shaved nearly one percent off its proposed rates increase for the coming year, following hearings of submissions to its Long Term Plan.

Councillors today confirmed the plan which covers a ten year period 2012 to 2022.

Following the receipt of over 1,300 public submissions and three days of hearings, the Council has decided to reduce the increase in the total amount of rates collected next year rates from the original proposal of 5.68% to 4.89%.

“We heard very clearly public concerns about the impact that increasing rates has on households and communities. The reduction in the proposed increase works out to about $3.00 less per ratepayer, with the average Regional Council rate increase reducing from $25.00 to $22.00,” Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde said.

“Across the region, the average valued residential property increase varies from $1.00 to $29.00 per year (2 cents to 55 cents per week) depending on where people live and the services received from us.

“The Council put up for public consultation what we believed was a realistic figure, given our long term commitments to improve rail and flood defences. Reducing the original proposal was difficult and has been based on a deferral of some projects, some additional revenue becoming available, and some changes in Greater Wellington’s financial management strategies.

“We have tried hard to maintain the services that our communities expect from their regional council and we believe the programmes contained in our Long Term Plan represent good value for our communities,” Fran Wilde said.