PHOTO/FILE
With Wairarapa councils set to approve annual plans next week, one authority has updated its rates database to show property owners what they will likely be paying over the next year.
Masterton ratepayers can view indicative rates for the 2022-23 year with the property search tool on the council’s website.
The council has yet to formally adopt the 2022-23 draft annual plan, budgets, and rates resolution with an average 6.9 per cent rate increase.
However, staff have calculated draft figures in the rating model, which produces the rates-in-the-dollar and fixed charges.
They have added this to the council’s IT system, “which means ratepayers can see an estimate of next year’s rates”, a spokesperson said.
“We have also added updated rating valuation information – new properties, new dwellings, new sections – to the information we have based the rates-in-the-dollar on.”
In the indicative rates summary, the figure for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s rates are still the current year’s value, which will change.
Masterton District Council’s finance manager David Paris said the average rates increase was expected to be 6.9 per cent, compared with 5.6 per cent in Year 2 of the Long-Term Plan [LTP].
“There are some timing changes and revisions to budgets that reflect the changed inflationary environment,” he said.
MDC decided not to consult on this year’s annual plan and therefore has not published a draft plan document.
“The council is essentially getting on with delivering the plan that was consulted on last year through the 2021-31 LTP process,” Paris said.
The full 2022-23 Annual Plan document, including detailed budgets and financial statements, would be part of the agenda for next Wednesday’s council meeting, where it is set to be signed off.
An information sheet on the council’s website states urban residential rates would go up about 6.9 per cent, based on a property with a land value of $215,000 and a capital value of $470,000. Total rates for this example property would be about $3000 a year.
Urban commercial rates for a land value of $395k and capital value of $835,000 would have a rates rise of about 6.8 per cent, paying about $6000 a year.
Lifestyle block properties are facing a rise of 6.7 per cent based on a land value of $395,000 and capital value of $835,000, taking total annual rates to about $2000.
Rural farm rates are going up 6.8 per cent, based on a land value of just over $4 million, taking the total annual rates to more than $10,000.
Property owners at Riversdale and Castlepoint Beach are facing rates rises of 7 per cent and 8.2 per cent respectively.
Riversdale’s example is based on a property with a land value of $440,000 and a capital value of $700,000. It brings the annual rates to about $2800.
Castlepoint’s example is based on a property with a land value of $375,000 and a capital value of $800,000. It brings the annual rates to about $2770.
Masterton and Carterton councils are set to sign off annual plans next Wednesday. South Wairarapa District Council is set to sign off its annual plan.
Masterton ratepayers can view indicative 2022-23 rates here: mstn.govt.nz/property-search. – NZLDR
- Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
