Some West Coasters face rates increases over 23%
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
West Coast ratepayers now face among the biggest rates increases in the country.
This follows a walloping 16.42% general rate increase by the West Coast Regional Council.
The region's 398 farms will bear the brunt of the increase, which is largely due to a doubling of estimated costs for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan.
This increase alone will see farms with a capital value above $3 million pay $456 a year more in the next year. Civil Defence and emergency management extra costs will add $305. Excluding the uniform annual general charge, total rates for a $3m property will bump up to between $2280 and $3000 a year.
West Coast Federated Farmers president Bede O'Connor was aghast when he heard the council had approved a 16.42% rates increase, as he thought ratepayers were yet to be consulted.
However, the regional council earlier ruled out putting its budget to the public as it was still forecasting a 10% rise in year three of the 2021-31 long term plan.
O'Connor said it was difficult to say the council should not bump the rates up, but for farmers in particular "it's bloody hard".
The Coast had sought the TTPP - with its associated cost - rather than a more radical amalgamation of the four councils, he said.
"The TTPP is what we wanted for the West Coast.
"I'd say it's disappointing to see that rates rise, but we understand the council has to operate in a financially responsible way. We look forward to more dialogue on how council is going to trim their expenses and what they deliver," O'Connor said.
With Grey and Buller district council rate rises of 5.63% and 6.8% respectively, ratepayers in those districts now face increases of upwards of 22%.
Farmers also have to shoulder separate rate costs of their river protection rating district, on top of their rates bills.
Harihari farmer and Wanganui River Rating District spokesperson Jon Sullivan said the regional increase was another example of imposition of costs through policy direction.
It fitted with a trend of public agencies "disconnected from reality" affecting the viability of farming.
"I'm hearing that the Government expansion in employees in government departments has risen by over 10,000 people, and that doesn't include contractors," Sullivan said.
"What do we actually get out of it? Nothing."
Overall, the total rates increase for Grey district ratepayers will start at 22.05% and in Buller it will be from 23.2%.
Westland district ratepayers are cushioned for one year, as their council voted for a 0.2% increase after deciding not to rate for depreciation of its three waters assets for next year.
In a statement after the regional council approved the 16.42% increase, chairperson Peter Haddock said they were mindful of "challenging times" for ratepayers.
Ratepayers were encouraged to tap into councils rates remission and postponement policy.
However after the meeting he said the ability of council to make exceptions would be "on a case by case basis" and was likely to be rare.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
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A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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