Rates: Council can help

Dairy farmers are urged to contact the district council if struggling to pay their rates. Photo / File

Dairy farmers in the Western Bay of Plenty can apply for a rates remission but there is no specific farm policy to bail them out if they faced difficulties associated with falling payouts, the district council says.

Its records show there are 478 farms operating in its territory and, in 2015, they were expected to pay $3,298,337.82 compared with $3,225,901.11 in 2014 and $3,169,897.73 in 2013.

Chief financial officer Matt Potton said the council acknowledged the significant contribution dairying made to the Western Bay economy and recognised many would be feeling financial stress as a result of the falling payout.

"While council recognises the importance of dairying to our local economy, it is important that all ratepayers are treated on an equal footing in the calculation and collection of rates - and in the provision of rates relief," he said.

"Council does not have any specific dairy-farm policy to help farmers when the payout falls but we have a rates remission policy available to any property owner facing extreme financial hardship. If farmers are facing a problem with paying their rates this year, please let council know earlier rather than later as we can suggest payment options that may ease the stress and spread the cash-flow over 12 months instead of having to pay two large instalments."

Historically, export-based agricultural industries are vulnerable to variations in market forces, climate impacts and international exchange rates.

"Farmers are a resilient bunch and recognise that tough times will not last forever. Our kiwifruit growers faced extreme stress after the outbreak of the vine-killing disease Psa in 2010. Incomes plummeted and orchards had to be pulled out. No special relief was provided to kiwifruit orchardists by council and none was sought."

Mr Potton said the council had always worked closely with Federated Farmers during tough times and was supportive of the work the Rural Support Trust played in co-ordinating help and resources.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council could not provide information on rates paid by dairy farmers as "regional council rates are collected on our behalf by the city and district councils", a spokesman said.

But its environmental delivery general manager, Warwick Murray, said the council worked with rural communities on a daily basis.

"We're looking at ways we work and where we can improve practices to avoid placing undue stress on that community and on others we work with. One part of this is a special seminar that has been arranged for staff, focusing on the stress currently being faced by those in our rural communities."