Tuesday, 25 March 2008
HUTT City mayor David Ogden will outline his council’s methods for keeping rates rises among the lowest in New Zealand at a public meeting at the War Memorial Centre’s Little Theatre on April 11.
The projected rise for Hutt City for 2008-09 is 2.2 per cent which Mr Ogden described as “an outstanding result”.
“It translates into a rates decrease for the average ratepayer of 0.5 per cent when inflation is accounted for,” he said.
“It reflects the importance council puts on keeping rates down. We recognise families and those on fixed incomes are feeling the squeeze as interest rates and the cost of everyday items like food and energy continue to rise.”
He said the result had been achieved without cuts in services or capital expenditure.
Last year’s Hutt City rates rise was 3.17 per cent and before that 4.67 per cent and 3.76 per cent.
At 9.6 per cent, Whakatane’s projected increase is higher than Tauranga City (7 per cent) and Western Bay (5.1 per cent).
Whakatane resident Sandy Milne, who has organised Mr Ogden’s visit, said Whakatane mayor Colin Holmes, the councillors and council staff were invited to the meeting.
“I invite locals who are concerned about the effect of our savage rates rises on the elderly and others on low incomes to join us,” Mr Milne said.
“I have also contacted the chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri, pointing out that Maori are particularly vulnerable to rates rises.”