Targeted rates for transport

Some Rodney residents are happy to stump up for a new rate for transport, but many locals are not aware of the proposed new charge.

The Rodney Local Board was eyeing a transport targeted rate for at least the next three years in its draft plan.

It proposed ratepayers’ money be spent on transport measures in Rodney – such as a trial diesel train service from Huapai to Henderson, park and ride stations in Kumeu-Huapai and Warkworth, and sealing unsealed roads.

Local board deputy chairman Phelan Pirrie said the targeted rate could bring forward capital expenditure and push Auckland Council to put money up for such projects.

The local board plan may affect to about 22,000 rateable households.

Twenty-four Aucklanders in Kumeu, Huapai, Riverhead, Coatesville and Helensville were interviewed on June 27. Most said they were not aware of the local board’s draft plan; seven did not care about the proposed targeted rate, and another three said they didn’t live in the area.

The council’s current transport levy charged $113.85 per household for residential ratepayers each year, however, it would expire in June 2018.

Were the targeted rate introduced next year, it could ‘‘roll over’’ from the levy and range between $114-200 per annum for Rodney ratepayers, Pirrie said.

This could raise between $2.5 million and $4m. Coatesville’s Russell Hamlet said sealing unsealed roads was more ‘‘beneficial’’ than a park and ride, but couldn’t argue with the logic of the rate.

‘‘It’s logical; the consumer pays. We need the infrastructure, so we’re going to have to pay.’’

Pirrie said exact details of the proposed targeted rate’s expenditure couldn’t be revealed as it was at a draft stage. Were it to be supported by Rodney residents, Pirrie said the targeted rate would be set by councillors next year.

However, were it not wanted, nothing may happen in terms of transport infrastructure for about five years, he said.

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