Media Release

Far North ratepayers can expect one of the lowest rate rises in the country following the Far North District Council’s decision to hold rates to a three per cent rise.

In its final annual plan deliberations in Kaeo last week, the council stoically stuck to its stated intention to keep rates increases to between three and four per cent on average, while still providing for a substantial programme of additional works.

However the good result comes with a warning that individual ratepayers will have varying increases because of the effects of this year’s Quotable Value revaluation of the district, which are outside the council’s control.

In a reversal of previous revaluation trends, property values have generally eased in the east of the district and risen in the west and north. This means some ratepayers in the east can expect increases lower than three per cent, or even negative, while many in the west and north will pay more than three per cent because of the sharp increase in their property values.

Nevertheless, the average three per cent increase is well below the current level of inflation - standing at around 4.7 per cent - and .98 per cent less than the 3.98 per cent rate rise proposed in the draft annual plan.

Mayor Brown said he was proud that the council had achieved an average three per cent rate increase and at the same time was moving ahead in terms of providing services to ratepayers.

“Whatever we do is going to put pressure on people and we are mindful that this year’s revaluations will add to that pressure for some of our ratepayers. Combine that with the worsening state of our economy and we have an obligation to cut our cloth to suit the circumstances.

“I think we have achieved a fairly good result. That is the kaupapa of this organisation - we are here to get good results and today’s outcome is a step in the right direction.”

The council has contained the rates increase and at the same time approved additional expenditure totalling $5.62million with $2million of operational expenditure funded by savings and efficiencies driven through by the new council and $3.62million of capital works coming from alternate funding sources such as the proposed sale of surplus property, subsidy, development contributions, depreciation funds and loans.

The council has achieved a total of $8million in savings this year, made as the result of efficiencies. Of this, $6million has been set aside to offset inflationary pressures and $2million for the operational fund from which $430,000 will be used to shave .98 per cent from the projected 3.98 per cent rate rise and a further $289,000 will be used to reduce the impact of future fee increases.

There will be a thorough review of the consents department with a particular focus on cost reductions to offset any required fee increase.

Mayor Brown has promised a review of “every last cent”. “There are savings to be made in this area. They may not be as big as I would like but they may be bigger than people expect,” he said. “In the meantime, we’ll maintain the status quo.”

In other matters arising from public submissions to the draft annual plan, the council resolved to implement a new rate for economic development in the Far North; discontinue the rates discount policy which is costing more to administer than it generates in revenue and establish Kaitaia’s Te Ahu community centre as a council controlled organisation.

Regarding the Kaeo, Rawene and Kawakawa service centres, the council was clear that increased services would result from any changes made, not less.

“There is a difference between owning buildings and providing services - we are not so good at managing buildings but we are good at managing services,” Mayor Brown said.

“Any changes that take place will be made on the basis of increased service provision. We are trying to line-up potential partnerships with organisations like Kiwi Bank and Post Shop and introduce such things as ATM machines, broadband access, better meeting spaces and intercity travel booking facilities while maintaining ready access to council services in all locations.”

The council intends to go ahead with plans to co-locate services in each of the communities and will be consulting and communicating with each of them about its plans, once it has assessed potential participation by other service providers.

In response to public pressure regarding the need for a roundabout at State Highway 10/Waipapa, the council resolved to allocate $100,000 for a feasibility study and to put pressure on Transit New Zealand to deliver on the project.

Additional operational works to be funded from the general rate include:
• Town maintenance - additional expenditure of $700,000 has been approved for towns across the district according to need in the Eastern, Western and Northern wards. This will meet the cost of increased services such as sportsfields and reserves mowing, gardens maintenance, street cleaning, pavement cleaning, litter collection, toilet cleaning and, in Paihia, beach grooming.
• Vintage Railway Trust - $200,000 to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust for restoring the railway track at Opua
• Waipapa/SH10 roundabout - As noted, $100,000 has been set aside for a feasibility study.

• Kerikeri-Waipapa Structure Plan - $100,000 to implement the structure plan through the required District Plan processes
• Kerikeri and Kawakawa swimming pools - budget increased by $50,000
• ASB recreation centre - $15,000 grant to Bay of Islands College to ensure community access to the centre, subject to an agreed Memorandum of Understanding. A one-off grant of $50,000 to the college towards deferred maintenance costs
• Maori engagement programmes - $50,000 to consult with the wider Maori community on Maori representation in the Council’s decision-making processes, and their views on the unitary authority proposal
• Kawakawa economic development initiatives - $25,000 toward a feasibility study for the proposed new Hundertwasser Centre
• GE/GMOs - $15,000 to enable participation in the inter-Council working party
• Fees and rent increases - additional $74,000 in revenue

Additional works to be funded from capital expenditure include:
• Seal extension - $2.5 million for additional road sealing with priority roads to be determined and reported back to council as soon as possible, and $400,000 for public facilities sealing at places such as maraes and public halls
• Kaitaia Mainstreet - $400,000 for continuation of Mainstreet project
• Baysport - $100,000 to complete the Baysport Stadium
• Okaihau tennis court - $80,000 for renewal
• State Highway 10 Coopers Beach footpath - $80,000 brought forward for construction of a new footpath
• Fairy Pools track upgrade - $40,000 to bring forward the work
• Closed circuit TV systems - $10,000 for mobile CCTV systems to reduce vandalism including graffiti
• North Road footpath, Kaitaia - $10,000 for construction of a new footpath.

For further information please contact:-

Go to top

Page created/updated: 9 June, 2008

• Media Release index

• Public Notices