Rates hike of $10 in draft annual plan

Liz Lambert

Hawke's Bay Regional Council is proposing to increase its total rates take by 5.8 per cent for the coming year, under its draft annual plan, adopted for public submission this week.

While the increase affects ratepayers across the region differently, it would equate to about a $10 a year increase for urban households, council chief executive Liz Lambert told councillors earlier this month.

In adopting the draft plan, which outlines the council's spending plans for the financial year from July 2014, councillors asked staff to prepare more details on how the rise would impact different groups of ratepayers.

They also asked staff to continue looking for ways to trim further spending.

The rates hike follows a reduced rate rise last year and lower than expected market interest rate returns for 2014/15, which offset rating charges.

The draft annual plan is based on the regional council's long term plan, which was adopted three years ago and will be reviewed again next year. The annual plan contains only minor changes from the 2012-2022 long term plan.

The draft plan includes a proposal, in conjunction with private sector partners, for the council to consider investing in a rail freight carrying business on the currently mothballed Napier-Gisborne line.

The proposal requires agreement from KiwiRail and the Government to reopen and repair the line to a "fit for purpose" condition, something Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has indicated he is not prepared to fund.

The draft annual plan can be downloaded from the council's website (www.hbrc.govt.nz) and copies are also available at local libraries and regional council offices.

Public meetings on the plan will be held throughout the region next month so the public can discuss the plan with councillors.

Councillors will vote to finalise the plan in June.

Separate public consultation on the council's proposal to invest up to $80 million in the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme will take place in May.