Rotorua rates set to rise again

Rates in Rotorua are expected to go up again.

Rotorua's residential urban and rural ratepayers are set to pay between $23 and $72 more with the Rotorua District Council announcing plans to increase general rates by 3.7 per cent.

Farmers, business owners and those who own vacant land or two or more units face increases ranging from $51 to $492. The increases depend on the value of the land.

The rates hike is part of the council's draft annual plan presented to councillors at a meeting yesterday.

News of the general fees increase comes just days after the council decided to shelve plans to introduce a capital value rating scheme - a scheme put on hold as the council needs more time to investigate options.

Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters said the general rates increase was close to the current level of inflation and it was a good result given councils in many other centres were struggling to keep their rates increases near inflation.

"The Rotorua District Council has been very prudent and worked very hard to reduce costs and to increase other revenue sources in order to maintain rates at reasonable levels."

This year's general rates increase is not as much as last year when the council collected 5.5 per cent more.

But Ngongotaha resident 96-year-old George Dunn is upset about the increase. Last year he had to fork out $576 in rates on top of what he was already paying. This next year Mr Dunn, who owns two units, will face a general rates increase of at least $117. "I think it's just horrible. They are determined to destroy us old people and make us beggars."

There is a rates rebate scheme for some residents including those with an income of under $20,000 but Mr Dunn said he did not see why he should have to seek that rebate.

"I shouldn't have to go to the council cap in hand to ask for a rebate on my rates. The rates should be reasonable."

Although he made a submission last year about his increase in rates he does not know whether he will do so again this year. He said he would not mind paying the rates if the council provided more services where he lived.

"We don't even have a footpath."

Meanwhile, the council wants to make urban ratepayers pay an additional $6.10 each annually for the next 25 years to cover the cost of an urban sewerage development scheme for residents in Hinemoa Pt, Ngongotaha and Fairy Springs.

The council's district engineer, Nico Claasen, told councillors yesterday the cost of the sewerage scheme was budgeted at $2.67 million. Urban ratepayers will pay half the cost while the rest will be covered by ratepayers in the three areas over and above what they already pay.

However, those ratepayers will not find out for another year how much they will be expected to pay.

About 2800 Rotorua lakes residents look set to each pay $21.90 on top of their general rates towards the cost of a new board being set up to represent them.
THE COUNCIL'S WISH LIST Rawhiti pensioner flats upgrade Convention Centre upgrade Expansion and upgrade of library New sewerage schemes at Okareka, Brunswick, Rotokawa and Okere Falls Double laning of Malfroy Rd/Ranolf St roundabout Western Heights Shopping Centre upgrade Stage two of the Museum Centennial development

*These projects will be paid for by grants, subsidies, loans, contributions and rates.