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Canterbury ratepayers face 17.9% rates hike
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.
After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average rates rise from 24.2% to 17.9%.
Acting chairperson Craig Pauling said there were some tense negotiations, but he was pleased with the outcome.
The councillors voted on 15 main resolutions, with several resulting in close division among the 16 councillors, he said.
‘‘Even though it was tense throughout, there was good support at the end and people felt there was some good give and take in the room,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘The feeling in the room was, ‘we have done all we could have’.’’
More than 1300 submissions were received on the draft long-term plan, with 153 making oral presentations during the hearings, which were held over four days.
‘‘We tested the water with some bold options in our consultation and the response demonstrated there were mixed views, with some saying we needed to deliver more, while others identified we could make savings or prioritise work,’’ Pauling said.
Savings were made by delaying some of the proposed public transport projects, including delaying work on a mass transit business case until year 2 and postponing bus route improvement work until year three.
‘‘It makes sense to delay this work so we have a better idea of where the Government and Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) are heading,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘Some councillors thought we should be more cautious, but if we don’t put it in the plan, we don’t get anything from Waka Kotahi.’’
About three-quarters of submissions supported the council increasing its spending on ‘‘river resilience’’, including flood protection, and pest and weed control.
The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.
There was strong support for a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and the council was considering similar options from the Ashley Rakahuri River and other rivers in South Canterbury.
Pauling said it would need support from the community, local councils and ultimately central Government.
‘‘Over the last five years we have been getting more and more requests for how we might move forward in addressing our rivers.
‘‘It is recognition that rivers are important to everybody.’’
He said river resilience was a national issue, as disruption to bridges on major routes could affect the whole country.
‘‘Room for rivers’’ was an important conversation and could be achieved by buying land, such as Environment Canterbury buying land beside the Ashburton River.
Another example was the Waimakariri District Council’s land purchase on Lineside Rd, beside the Cam Ruataniwha River.
‘‘By acquiring the land we can do something great for the community,’’ Pauling said.
Council staff will now finalise the long-term plan before it is audited by Audit New Zealand and adopted by councillors on June 26.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Q&A: Ask a question about...Online Safety
Continuing with Neighbourly's online Q&A with experts in their field, this week we are tackling online safety with Jandy Fiske from Netsafe.
Jandy Fiske has been with Netsafe for nearly 8 years. Starting on their helpline, she's now Netsafe's Community Engagement Advisor. Jandy says: 'I'm passionate about online safety because I strongly oppose bullying and want to support those affected by it.'
Jandy is passionate about protecting vulnerable communities and is promoting online safety to ensure no one falls prey to online scams. She can answer your questions about any type of online scams, and also about online harm such as online bullying.
↓ Ask your question below now and she'll be online on Wednesday, 11th September to reply to you ↓
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Wanted lawnmowers
I’m after anyone’s broken down petrol rotary lawnmowers will pay upto $30 if you have anything please send me a message I also do servicing repairs and parts cheers Shaun
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LIVE Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana
Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
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