Sharp drop in properties on farmland roll

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 18

Sharp drop in properties on farmland roll

The number of specially rated urban farmland properties in Christchurch has dropped by 33.6 per cent since 1975. On the latest City Council roll of such land, 78 properties are listed, compared with 119 five years ago. The roll is prepared after each general revision of property values. . The Rates Supervisor, Mr W. K. Hann said that many properties might have appeared on the previous roll which should not have been there because they were able to be subdivided, or did not fit farming criteria required by statute. . ’ The total valuation of Christchurch’s urban farmland was $2,777,000. Most of the property was owned by individuals, Mr Hann said. Properties ranged in size from under' 1.2 hectares to 640 ha, a combination of two areas owned by the Green-

wood Estate on the Port Hills. ,'. x . The next opportunity for ratepayers to apply for , a special valuation will be after the 1984 revaluation of land. . , X. Mr Hann said the urban farmland was scattered throughout Christchurch, but was predominant from Mt Pleasant to Godley Head, m the Travis Road area, and in the Bromley-Dyers Road area. When farm property is under intense cultivation, it can receive a maximum 20 per cent reduction in value. Properties under partial cultivation can receive a maxiurn 10 per cent reduction. Properties which do not supply a substantial part of their owners’ income do not qualify for an urban farmland reduction. Mr Hann. said, that grazing, for instance, was not considered farming.