Waimakariri ratepayers face near 9% hike
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri ratepayers are set for a rates hike of nearly 9%.
Planning for population growth, tackling inflation costs and preparing for natural disasters are set to feature in the Waimakariri District Council’s 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP).
Council staff proposed a rates rise of 8.94% at the opening session of LTP deliberations on Tuesday morning (January 30).
The impact of high interest rates meant several large projects including a hydrotherapy pool for the Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre and proposed cycle way projects were deferred to reduce the impact on ratepayers.
Finance and business support general manager Nicole Robinson said the district’s population was expected to grow from 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, requiring about 4950 new houses, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
‘‘That equates to 495 houses a year and we are already trending towards 700 consents for new houses this year.’’
To support growth, major projects in the LTP included the proposed Rangiora Eastern Link Rd, an extension of the Rangiora Library and Civic Centre and completion of the Southbrook Sports Club facility and Mainpower Oval developments.
She said staff identified 21 potential risks over the next 10 years, including natural disasters, climate change, inflation and changes from central Government.
The council planned to establish a permanent infrastructure recovery team this year to manage the growing number of adverse events the district was facing.
While inflation peaked at 7.3% in 2022, it was expected to drop to about 2.2% next year, allowing staff to predict rates rises will drop below 5% from next year.
But Robinson urged caution in an uncertain economic environment.
‘‘If we were to see a high inflationary environment continue it would have a huge impact on our expenditure.’’
The proposed Kaiapoi to Woodend, Rangiora (Southbrook) and Woodend to Pegasus cycle ways were due to be funded as part of the previous Government’s Transport Choices funding.
However, the fund has been canned by the new Government.
Chief executive Jeff Millward said there was cause for optimism.
Credit rating agency Standard and Poor's has confirmed the council’s AA long-term and A-1+ short-term credit rating with a stable outlook.
An A-1 credit rating with the additional plus (+) sign means the council’s ability to meet its commitments is ‘‘extremely strong’’, according to the Standard and Poor’s website.
The council was still paying off its earthquake recovery loan from the 2010 and 2011 quakes, but Millward said the council was in a strong position.
‘‘We have enough head room for not one, but two major adverse events.’’
The council’s deliberations were scheduled to finish on Thursday, with councillors meeting again on February 27 to adopt the draft LTP for consultation.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.6% Yes
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49.4% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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