'Overwhelming' majority slam proposed rating changes in Wairoa

Ratepayers will speak at a Wairoa District Council meeting today on its revenue and financing policy. Photo / File

An overwhelming majority have spoken against a proposed policy which could have an "outrageous" impact on rates for northern Hawke's Bay ratepayers.

Today Wairoa District Council will hold a hearing on its revised revenue and financing policy, which has caused concern among the small community because of the impact it could have on rates.

During the consultation period angst was voiced at public meetings, with 121 submissions lodged on the proposal from 104 submitters.

The vast majority of submissions - more than 75 per cent - were in favour of retaining the status quo for how rates were calculated.

Although most were opposed to wholesale change, a paper to go before council said the consultation process "identified several opportunities for council to continue to engage with its community and refine its funding model" and would inform the Long Term Plan 2018-2028 process.

When asked what this meant for the proposal Wairoa mayor Craig Little said the council was still going to "look at the whole system", as it believed WDC had too many differentials compared with other councils.

"We're definitely listening to people, but if we do something we don't listen to a few loud people, we've got to listen to the whole community.

"I'm not going to pre-empt anything ... but we've heard from the community and we'll go from there and we'll make a decision."

Some themes within the submissions included 35 that rates should reflect the proximity to amenities and levels of service delivered to specific locations. And 11 submissions raised concerns that "a pure capital value system would penalise and discourage investment and therefore employment".

Several submitters raised concerns about the rates hike they were in for, with some saying they would face rises of up to 64 per cent.

Although he "fully understood" how rates supported the council and the district's citizens, Dean Whaanga said he was "appalled that my rates are to increase by $675 which is 44 per cent [of] the current p.a. rates."

"It is yet to be revealed, just what, apart from the current status quo, I would be expected to get for that increase.

"I think that the council should reconsider its expenditure rather than mass hike the rates," Mr Whaanga said.

"This entire district is struck by a small populace base with a low socio-economic environment which is further burdened with higher rate costs."

Others took issue with how the information was provided to residents.

This included the timing of the consultation, with Ian Hosford writing: "It is a famous political strategy to push through unpopular policy during the Christmas break when people are distracted and cannot be bothered to read obscure consultation documents - which this certainly qualifies as."

Today the council is expected to hear from 16 people who wish to speak on their submissions.