Porirua ratepayers given a break at last

Porirua ratepayers have had a hard time of it in recent years, with annual increases well above the New Zealand average. In fact, when we compared Porirua’s projected increases with those of other main cities, Porirua was at the very top end, significantly above other areas in the Wellington region.

Many Porirua residents earn relatively modest amounts and if they own their houses, the rates bills can be crippling. In addition, there are other, wealthier parts of Porirua where residents are retired. They live in more expensive houses, but are on fixed incomes, so big rates increases hurt them, too.

Our letters pages cover a vast range of topics, but a recurring theme is rates.

The message seems to have got through to Porirua City Council, or at least to chief executive Wendy Walker. Since taking over the reins from Gary Simpson late last year, Walker has set about reducing council costs with heartening vigour.

By diligent, even aggressive, cost pruning, she has managed to lower the projected rates rise for the next financial year from more than 5 per cent to a much more acceptable 3.7 per cent. We reported this news on our front page last week, and were surprised at the low response from readers. After all, the council finally seemed to be listening to the community’s concerns.

Walker has overseen a dramatic turnover of senior staff, resulting in some fresh blood in the council offices and savings in the region of $200,000.

Further cuts have been made in such areas as city promotion activities ($174,000) and capital expenditure ($250,000).

Some services are to be lost, particularly in the Titahi Bay area. Funding for weekday lifesaving at Titahi Bay Beach has been halted (saving $22,000), beach wardens are being removed ($30,000), and the daily locking and unlocking of the beach gates ($9000) is being dispensed with.

Residents will miss those services, of course, but in the end common sense is prevailing, and genuine efforts are being made to reduce the rates rise, rather than mere lip service, which has been the suspicion previously.

Walker said she was appointed on the basis that efficiencies would be introduced, and rates were identified as the No 1 issue for residents. She has followed her mandate, even if it has been difficult.

We congratulate her for her fortitude. Things were reaching ridiculous proportions and it is good to see some sanity returning.