Dog owners up in arms over fee rises

The ArtsPost building on Victoria St, Hamilton. Photo / Christine Cornege

Hamilton dog owners say proposed cost increases of up to 162 per cent for dog registration are "crazy".

In addition, swimmers at Hamilton's 99-year-old swimming pool could be left out in the cold if the city council goes ahead with bold cuts.

The council's bid to reduce operating expenses by $14.5 million over three years could see users paying more to visit Hamilton Zoo, attend learn-to-swim classes, and obtain LIM reports and resource consents.

These and other changes, to be discussed by the council tomorrow, would see revenue increase by $1.5 million and shave $740,000 off operational costs.

Dog owners are upset over plans to increase dog registration fees by $40 a year for three years as they are already more expensive than other councils.

The lowest cost for registering a dog would rise 162 per cent from $74 to $194 and the highest cost would increase 90 per cent from $132 to $252 by 2014/15.

Waikato Canine Obedience Club president Mike Draper said the council was punishing good dog-owners who would have to pay even more for the ones that did not comply.

"That's a hell of an increase. Some people have two dogs and some people - if they get their neighbours' permission - have three dogs. Multiply that figure by three and that's bloody costly."

Hamilton Dog Lobby Group spokeswoman Mandy Smith asked, "What are you going to do if you're a pensioner or on the benefit?"

She said people would be forced to either give their dogs up to the already crowded SPCA or to the council, where they would probably be euthanised.

"It's crazy for a start - I don't think they have thought through the consequences."

The doors on the old Municipal Pools, closed this week for maintenance, could stay that way because the operational and capital expenditure outweighed the benefits and would save the council $110,000 a year.

Semi-permanent exhibitions at the museum could go from three years to nine years, exhibitions reduced from 10 to six, school education programmes reduced and the Gallery Host and public programmes stopped.

The community gallery and shop at ArtsPost could also be shut.

The cost of building consents could rise by 20 per cent and Land Information Memorandum fees would rise between 64 and 100 per cent.

The Long Term Plan review will go to public consultation in March.

Seeking Savings:
Dog registration: up to 162 per cent over three years.

Building consent fees: 20 per cent next year.

Planning guidance fees and charges: 25 per cent next year.

Zoo fees: 14 per cent rise over three years.

Learn to Swim and Club Aqua: 10 per cent in 2014/15.

Services cut:
Noise control cuts: $40,000 funding.

Close municipal pool: $110,000.

Close ArtsPost gallery and shop: $60,000.

Reduce museum exhibitions: $223,000.

Reducing school and art programmes: $209,000