Rates relief likely for flood victims

Jenny Duncan

More rates relief is likely for a number of Whanganui city properties worst affected by last June's floods.

Next week the district council will debate giving more help to those people whose properties have been classified as "dangerous".

That relief would include writing off building and resource management consents and any related fees up to a maximum of $5000 for properties with dangerous building notices.

If the relief is granted it will give those owners another six months of rates relief, effectively for the rest of the 195/16 financial year. In July last year council halved the rates bill for those buildings.

Councillor Jenny Duncan said removing the rates entirely for the 2015/16 year is a way to reduce some of the stress property owners have experienced from the weather event.

"We are talking about rates relief for 11 or so properties classified as dangerous. This is one way our council can give these worst affected people some financial relief so they can get on and do the work necessary on their properties," Ms Duncan said.

"It's also letting those people affected by flooding and land slips that the community cares and we are a resilient district when faced with natural disasters."

She said even though many properties had been or are on their way to be re-occupied there was still a handful unable to return home.

"This has been an extremely stressful time for these property owners, who have had to deal with unique challenges and have little chance of returning home in the future," Ms Duncan said.