Lyttelton rates rise

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 9

Lyttelton rates rise

Rates in Lyttelton Borough will rise an average of 15 per cent during the next year.

While the basic increase was kept to 9.7 per cent, the addition of the goods and services tax to be introduced in October will add a further 5.3 per cent to rates.

A 13 per cent increase in the basic rate had been advertised last month. However, council property had been included in the calculation which resulted in the incorrect, high average figure.

The chairman of the finance committee, Cr Mary Cretney, said the new rates would mean a

reduction for a few residents and increases of up to 35 per cent in areas with high revaluations, such as Cass Bay. Reduced interest rates on loans, the prospect of revenue-sharing with the Government, and the sale of $40,000 of council land meant the increase had been kept as low as possible, said Cr Cretney. New work covered by rates that was not part of the usual programme included a sewage-treat-ment plant to be built at Diamond Harbour, Cass Bay’s being linked into the Lyttelton system, reserve planting, and tennis court sealing.