109 days ago

Our new rates bill. When will the Horizons one come?

Iola from Awapuni

I wonder if anyone else asked the question when the new valuations came out, if valuations had anything to do with increasinbg rates? My memory is that PNCC said. No.
Now we all know that the high revaluations, became nonsense figures within 12 months, with house selling between 50K to 100K below the Q.V. figures. So what our properties are worth to the market place, has nothing to do with Q.V. yet our rating system is based on that false figure.
Our section has a value that has no discount for the fact that we cannot use the area that the City stopbank, is on. Previously we had been allowed to overset that loss by being able to vegetable and orchard garden on adjoining reserve land which had no public access.
The decision that a 4 metre wide road would be along the riverside as a commuter way, and PNCC took away our ability to garden and have an orchard.
My next question is, as rates are clearly for a lot of retired fixed income people, going to be unsustainable, will well managed Councils soon be able to attract people of retirement age to the smaller centres instead? A google search was interesting, and a property search nation wide as well as looking at their rates guides, is proving very enlighting.
Palmerston North rates for a 1003 section, $4333. PNCC, Horizons yet to be recieved but expect it to be nearer $1k than $500.

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What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

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When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
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    81.8% Complete
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    15.5% Complete
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Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
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    17.2% Complete
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    33.3% Complete
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2111 votes