Malvern considers rating alternatives

Press, 14 November 1984, Page 11

Malvern considers rating alternatives

Malvern County will consider alternatives to its present rating system. Alternatives to the present capital value rating system will be examined by county councillors next month.

Rating alternatives were discussed briefly when councillors were presented with a summary of new county property valuations at a council meeting on Monday. During the last five years capital values in the county have risen between 80 per cent (Darfield riding) and 170 per cent (in part of Tawera), according to the Valuation Department. Cr Roger James said that many objections could be expected when ratepayers found out the new valuations. The council might avert any objections if it decided to change its basis for rating. More information on alternative systems was needed and a special meeting should be held for councillors to hear this information, he said. Cr Murray Wilson said the council should be thankful that people wanted to

move into the county, instead of “lumbering” them with rate increases when they improved their properties. A land value rating system might be fairer, he said.

The County Treasurer, Mr W. E. Findley, said any change might not be as simple as just changing from a capital value based system to another system. Differential rating could be necessary to remove anomalies, he said. Tourist development A rural tourist development, catering for up to 200 people, is planned for near Lake Grasmere. The centre, which would be on State highway 73 near the Ministry of Works camp at Cass, is planned by Waikene Farm, Ltd. It would include a service station, tearooms, and cabins, said the County Clerk, Mr Brian Perrin.

Details on the proposal were sent to the council for comment before a final submission was presented.

Hororata water

Hororata * residents will receive a steady-flow water supply. The council approved the steady-flow system after it heard that a majority of surveyed ratepayers in the township wanted it rather than a more costly highpressure system.

The County Engineer, Mr A. C. Watson, said that water would not be available this summer, but it could be flowing by March or April next year. Honorarium The annual honorarium paid to the County Chairman was increased from $6960 to $B7OO. The deputy chairman will receive $B7O a year. Basin meetings The meetings about the Waimakariri River basin are likely to be held next month. The council will meet Government departments and other groups to discuss development policies for the

basin on November 23. Yesterday it also received an invitation to a public forum on the basin, to be chaired by the member of Parliament for Selwyn, Miss Ruth Richardson, at Springfield on December 8. Re-election Cr George Hutton was unanimously, re-elected deputy county chairman and the chairmen of all the council committees were also reappointed yesterday.