Raglan Residents and Ratepayers Association has kicked off a campaign to make Raglan residents aware of threatened massive increases in water rates and the dangers of doing nothing about overcrowded buses and a dangerous road. RRRA has started delivering leaflets urging residents to make submissions. Download the leaflet here.
Overcrowding on the 23 bus route has become notorious enough to feature in a Waikato Times cartoon, yet there is no mention of the bus in Waikato District Council’s draft Long Term Plan (LTP). Officials have been disbelieving that a temporary solution would be a $45 group taxi hire, as and when needed. Leaving children standing at bus stops and having large numbers standing on a fast moving bus are safety hazards that should be addressed by the ten year plan. A Raglan Community Board proposal to link the main tourist attractions, Pipiwharauroa Way, Bridal Veil, Raglan and Whale Bay by minibus has been rejected.
The 2009 LTP said, “It is proposed to develop a walkway over three years from Wainui Reserve to Whale Bay in Raglan starting in 2011/2012 at a total cost of $198,000.” That followed years of lobbying, as the numbers walking to Manu Bay surfing mecca on the narrow, winding road increased. This safety work wasn’t started and is now not shown as planned for any time in the next ten years.
Raglan’s safety is being ignored, yet figures just released by WDC show their average rates per person at $991, but $1,135 for Raglan (reduced by an assumption that Raglan’s population has shot up 64% since the 2006 census!). The LTP proposes to put Raglan’s targeted rates up by a further 12% in 2012. The increase in 2013 is unclear, as Raglan will then be the first large WDC town with water meters. Council manager, Richard Bax, has said that if Raglan cuts its use to the national average, the cost will be $600, a 68% rise. Raglan water rates have already risen from $200 in 2007, so will triple in six years. WDC says water rates are being equated across the district, but propose $447.82 for Huntly and Ngaruawahia in 2013. Raglan’s councillor, Clint Baddeley, has been monitoring his water use. He and his wife have used 212 cubic metres in a year. The average household has 2.7 people so, with the same rate of use, would pay $630. At a meeting last Thursday, Cllr Baddeley expressed concern for the effect on large poor families, but said he had so far not found a solution. The impact could be worse for tenants. Those without meters don’t pay separately for their water, but those with can be billed for water. At the same meeting council staff said that it would be possible to charge more for water in summer than winter, so as to reduce the impact on residents who live all year in Raglan.
Although it is claimed water rates are being equated, wastewater rates are planned to rise 31% over 4 years from $510 to $716.34, whereas in Huntly and Ngaruawahia they rise from $388 to $544.98. That widens the gap by a further $49. Richard Bax has said, “in 3 years we will review these with the intent of closing the gap.”
Submissions need to be in by 9 May and can be emailed to corporateplanning@waidc.govt.nz.
A leaflet on the campaign is being distributed by RRRA Download the leaflet here. For further information please contact RRRA President, Bob McLeod, on 825 8041, or John Lawson on 825 7866.