Ratepayers say NO to rate increases

The Friday evening meeting of ratepayers in the Raglan Town Hall resolved that there should be no rate increases in the Waikato District.  The meeting organised by the Raglan Ratepayers & Residents Association to discuss the Long Term Plan learned that although Mayor Sanson was saying that the rate increase was 2.4%, this masked large increases in other rates and fees proposed by the Council. One resident said that WDC should have a policy of a zero overall increase in rates, charges and fees. He said that no business in the real world could get away with putting up its prices by so much each year.

One area of concern to the meeting was the water supply, where information provided by the Council shows that Raglan’s water rates would almost most double.  The flat rate of $357 a year currently paid in Raglan would go up to about $600, made up of a flat rate charge of $111.64 and a usage charge of $1.84 per cubic metre.   This is based on an average usage of 270 litres /head/day , the figure used by WDC for design purposes.  This works out at $489 plus $111. WDC’s Water GM, Mr Bax had told Mr Lawson “This proposed charge of $600 is more like the rest of district unmetered Targeted Rate of $448.”

People at the meeting was also surprised to learn of the large increase in debt proposed in the LTP to fund large projects in the Pokeno area, such as the $16.3 million sewer from Pokeno to the Watercare Treatment plant at Tuakau.  One ratepayer said it seemed that WDC was borrowing heavily and  gambling on growth occurring to repay the debt. He said that they had not learnt any lesson from the Far North Council’s similar bad policy that was now causing so many problems.

People questioned the proposed Community Board rate and were amazed to learn that it was to cover the cost of Council executive’s attending Community Board meetings.

Mr Doig pointed out that the Opotoru Bridge would need replacing at some time and that there was no mention of this in the LTP.

The meeting requested  that the Ratepayer’s Association put together a kit to help people make submissions to the WDC on the LTP.  One ratepayer said she was all for a bit of revolution.

WDC officials will be having an information evening on the LTP at the Raglan Town Hall Supper Room on Thursday 19th at 6pm.

The meeting also briefly discussed the Waikato Regional Council’s LTP, especially the poor quality expensive bus service provided for Raglan by WRC.

The meeting was chaired by Bob Macleod, the Chairperson of Raglan Ratepayers and Residents Assoc.