Residents pan proposed toilet tax

Proposed pan charges are causing a stink among business owners who feel they could potentially lose their livelihood if the charges are adopted as part of MatamataPiako District Council’s Our Community Our Future Plan 2012/22.

While preparing its 10 year plan, Matamata- Piako District Council is looking at a number of services and projects including introducing pan charges.

This means changing from a flat rate for wastewater to a pan charge where non- residential ratepayers will be charged based on the number of pans (toilets or urinals) they have. The council is planning to use a graduated scale of charges, meaning the more toilets or urinals a non-residential ratepayer has, the less they will pay each pan.

Matamata-piako District Mayor Hugh Vercoe said there was still room to iron out the creases.

‘‘Do I think it’s fair that the likes of Pohlen Hospital or the college pay the same wastewater rates as everyone else? No I don’t, however we need to find a system that is fair for all those concerned,’’ he said.

‘‘Our community told us they wanted a more user pays system put in place and this is just one option.’’

The pan charges will in some cases see a 70 per cent wastewater rate increase for non-residential dwellings, namely schools, rest homes and businesses which have more than one toilet onsite.

Maple Lodge owner Denise Williams said if increases become a reality, it may spell the end for a number of businesses in Matamata.

‘‘The point we want to make is that this has all been done without any real consultation,’’ she said.

Mrs Williams said if the council wants to implement user pays, the ideal thing to do would be to install water meters for everyone.

Broadway Motel owner Tony Voyce would go from paying a base wastewater rate of $593.90 to $11,273.23 by 2014.

‘‘If this goes ahead the reality is I won’t be able to keep up with, or afford maintenance at my place.’’

The full effect of the new pan charges on non-residential properties would not take effect until the 2014- 15 year due to rates remission policy, which effectively phases in the pan charges over three years.

Mr Vercoe would like to encourage people concerned about anything in the council’s draft Our Community Our Future plan and summary to send in a submission by no later than 5pm on May 18.

An open day will also be held at the Memorial Centre on Thursday, May 3 where council staff will be on hand to answer an questions about the plan.