Waimairi rates cut for many

Press, 16 June 1988, Page 6

Waimairi rates cut for many

Almost 20,000 Waimairi ratepayers can expect a decrease in rates after the adoption of the Waimairi District Council’s estimates last evening.

The chairman of the council’s finance and policy committee, Cr John Hanafin, said he was pleased that increases in all council ridings were considerably below the latest quoted inflation figure, with 73 per cent of the ratepayers paying less than they did last year. “Perhaps that fact alone will answer Roger Douglas’ recent letter to local bodies regarding their rating levels and, it is hoped, put another nail in the coffin of the proamalgamation lobby. Competition does keep rating levels down.”

The council made no change to its draft estimates under i which the average rate change for each of the six ridings is: Avonhead, 0.49. per cent

decrease; Papanui, no change; Wairakei, 0.19 per cent increase; Fendalton, 0.67 per cent increase; • Belfast, 3.18 per cent increase; Styx, 4.15 per cent increase.

However, the Canterbury United Council’s urban transport levy means some residents will be paying increasees of up to 16 per cent, because they will be paying a levy which they previously did not. The Belfast riding had to find an additional $164,000; Papanui, $219,000; and Styx, $105,000.

“In spite of the council’s success in holding rates so well this year, we cannot afford to be complacent, and staff have already been asked to

submit a report to the council in the near future covering such matters as the effect on the council of changes in the economy, priorities for expen-

diture, and operational structures and procedures,” said Cr Hanafin. All ridings had realistic work programmes for the next year and there would be no fall in standards.

Cr Hanafin said that Waimairi ratepayers would pay less than their Christchurch City counterparts. Figures compiled by the council staff show that a property valued at $127,075, would pay the following total rates: Avonhead, $1209; Fendalton, $1198;. Wairakei, $1230; Christchurch City, $1456.

Cr Arthur Adcock said, he believed that the Waimairi District Council had the lowest rate increases of any council in the Christchurch area.

Waimairi expects to collect $23.36 million from rates in the financial year. This includes about $lO million for ad hoc authorities.