Sewerage fee-rise backed

Press, 22 May 1986, Page 5

Sewerage fee-rise backed

The Christchurch Drainage Board’s finance committee recommended yesterday a 20 per cent increase on the user fee for houses without a valuation to be connected to the board’s sewerage scheme.

The rise brings the charge to $l2O and would cover a proposed 18 per cent increase in rates this year. This fee should then be increased annually by the average percentage increase in sewer mainten-

ance and sewer loan rates, the committee recommended. It agreed also that user fees for connecting other residences be assessed individually. The committee agreed to increase its sewerage charges for churches, halls, school hostels, and charitable organisations from $35 to $5O for the first toilet pan and from $4 to $lO for each subsequent pan. An annual review of charges was recommended.

Mr Newton Dodge recommended that the charges be abolished and covered within board rates. The committee rejected the proposal. Survey rejected The committee has recommended that a Canterbury United Council questionnaire, seeking local body opinion about future regional issues, be returned uncompleted. Mr Dodge said there was little value in the

council seeking the opinions of 15 board members. Mr Maurice Carter questioned the value of the council’s using its time and resources to conduct such a survey. Stewarts Gully The Waimairi District Council has informed the board that until the Stewarts Gully area was zoned residential it should not come within the proposed extension of the board’s district.

Stewarts Gully was zoned rural C which inhibited its inclusion in the board’s district, the council said. The council’s correspondence, summarised in a report to the committee, was a response to board requests.

The board had expressed concern that the position of Stewarts Gully residents was not clear.