Masterton District Council [MDC] has kept the average rates rise under 7 per cent in passing this year’s annual plan and rates resolution.
MDC met yesterday to pass the plan and rates resolution.
The average rates rise for the district next year was set at 6.2 per cent, with variations between rural and urban property owners.
The hike is 0.7 per cent more than forecast in the long-term plan but less than the financial limit of 10.4 per cent set out in MDC’s financial strategy.
Due to strong growth in the rating base in the urban area, those rates will rise an average of 5.3 per cent. Rural ratepayers face an average 9.1 per cent hike with variations between different types of property.
Increases for Greater Wellington Regional Council [GWRC] rates will be additional. An MDC report has indicated MDC ratepayers can expect another two to four per cent following the GWRC rates rises.
The annual plan sets out key projects and activities for the next financial year.
Masterton mayor Gary Caffell and other councillors thanked the staff for working long hours to prepare the associated budgets and reports.
Caffell said it is a challenging time for many across the district, but MDC are determined to continue to deliver for the people of Masterton.
“It’s been a tough few years, with increases in the cost of living impacting many in our community. This has also seen cost increases in all aspects of council business,” Caffell said.
“We’ve worked hard on this year’s plan to minimise the impact of rates as much as we can while continuing to deliver the services the people of Masterton expect.
“Feedback in our Annual Plan consultation held earlier this year showed that our community wants us to keep Masterton moving, but we also needed to tighten our belts where we could. We’ve responded to that feedback, and this Annual Plan delivers against those expectations.”
Caffell said a priority now will be to work on next year’s long-term plan and set the direction for the community for the next 10 years, which “will include some exciting projects”.
– NZLDR
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Pity that some groups who see them selves as watchdogs,
Are actually attack dogs.
Watching for the slightest error.
We need some positive action,
To get our town to its rightful position as the Hub, of the Wairarapa.