Unacceptable Rates Increase

Geoff from Hamilton East

I believe the rates increases proposed are too excessive.

According to your own rates department 80% of people will pay more for their rates. The remaining 20% with no increase will either be empty land or land with very low value buildings.

The average rates increase for the first year will be 9.5% but for many the rate increase will be much higher.

You imply that the real increases under the capital value rating scheme will affect new houses or those properties with larger buildings when this is not the case.

I have an old state house in Hamilton East which is only 80 square meters yet my rates will increase by 15% next year. With another 9.5% added in the second year that’s 25% in two years.
This is unacceptable.

Council needs to come back to the public with an option that allows for a 3.8% increase. This will mean stopping projects such as buying property on Victoria street etc.
The huge rates increase is because of these pet projects not because we don’t have enough to pay
for our essential services.

Let the public decide. It is their money. Make your submission against the 10 year plan.