Drainage rate up 11.7 p. c.

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33540, 22 May 1974, Page 14

Drainage rate up 11.7 p. c.

The Christchurch Drainage Board will raise its rating levy this year an average of 11.7 per cent.

The total rate levy has heen increased $651,910, or 14.5 per cent, but because there are new buildings and new areas brought into the board’s rating district in the last year, and because of an in-, crease in the capital value on which rates are based, the effective increase is 11.7 per cent.

Mr I. G. B. Wilson, chairman of the board’s finance committee, said that total estimated expenditure of the board for the next year was increased $971,927, or 19.6 per cent, over last year, but the increase in the sewerage area and land drainage account was cushioned by stability in interest and loan-

raising charges. “Over the last year there ! have been considerable mcreases in the cost of materials. fuel, and so on, which now must be budgeted for. Further allowance is also being made for increases in wages and salaries which seen inevitable,” he said. For these reasons, the board’s total expenditure would rise. “As the board’s loanraising this year is restricted; to raising money for modifi-] cations to the Bromley treatment works, essential other work (that would normally! have been financed out of loans) has had to be allowed! for out of revenue,” said Mr Wilson.