Raglanders have got their rates bills and for the first time some are getting bills with metered charges for water on them. Coming unannounced by Council this is causing some unpleasant surprises.
We asked Ngaruawahia, if this was an implementation of the statement on their website’ water page that “All new connections to a Council water supply will have a water meter. The water will be billed based on the amount used.”? See http://waikatodistrict.govt.nz/Services/Water-wastewater-and-stormwater/Rain-tanks-and-water-meters.aspx
And also if the answer is Yes, please advise:
- On what date did the installation of residential water meters for new properties in Raglan begin?
- How many residential water meters have been installed in Raglan since this began?
- Were the ratepayers advised that they would be paying for water on a metered basis when their supply was connected?
A Waikato District Council spokesperson said, “In response to your queries regarding water meter :
- Waikato District Council currently records 95 metered properties in Raglan.
- This includes 78 commercial, 4 rural and 13 urban supply properties.
- The urban supply is managed in accordance with the 2009 Water Bylaw.
- The 13 properties have connected over a number of years with the most recent connecting just last month.
- When a property connects to the water supply we provide various information about smart water use to reduce water bills including the attached fliers.”
It seems strange that water meters have been installed ‘over a number of year’, when the WDC councillors only approved the use of conventional meters for residential properties on Tuesday 19th August this year.
The real issue is that water rates have tripled over the last few years. Also that the introduction of meters will see water charges for holiday homes going down a lot while the charges for Raglan’s permanent residents go up. Just another strange policy from a council well-known for its quirky approaches.
We also asked Ngaruawahia on an article relating to water services in the Waikato Times of 22 August. It contained an article about ‘foolish’ council staff setting up their own water company. That company partly owned by WDC GM Mr Harty, formerly registered as ‘Waikato Water Services Ltd’ is now registered as HASM Ltd.
We asked, “Would you please advise if HASM Ltd is undertaking any consulting, servicing work or water meter supply for Waikato District Council?”
Council staff have not responded to this question.
A good turnout and questions at the 9 Sept 5.30pm Community Board public forum would encourage them to insist on seeing the cost and benefits of metering. It seems that so far over $2m has been spent without looking at whether they’ll get over $2m of savings. To go further they need to put it in their Long Term Plan. Their Structure Plan was defeated when over 200 in Raglan objected. Meters could raise even more opposition.
Yes I agree John. I am amazed at Raglan people’s tolerance to the huge increases in rates over the last few years. It does seem though that WDC has passed the tipping point this year. People are now complaining about the large amount they pay the council every week. WDC would stop these huge increases if a large number of people attended meetings and objected.