Councils have role to play in ensuring equality
THE letter by Brian Miller (ODT, 12.11.20) is first rate, and should be compulsory reading for every elected councillor before every meeting.
I would like to extrapolate some of the obvious consequences of continuing to increase any ‘‘compulsory charge’’ unreasonably — and well beyond the rate of inflation.
Firstly, house owners will be obliged to sell their houses as rates (and insurance) costs become unbearable — particularly for the elderly who in many cases have worked hard to reduce or eliminate mortgages for retirement, not realising their biggest concern would be outofcontrol council charging, not interest on debt.
House rentals will continue to increase to cover the costs of rising rates, and fewer individuals will be able to afford to own their own home.
This policy will further accelerate the gap between rich and poor in New Zealand, something noone wants, but which is an inevitable consequence.
Councils will be obliged to look at other ways of gaining income as the rates increases come under increased scrutiny. Coincidence that the Dunedin City Council has just lifted its cap on debt?
This, in turn, will just exacerbate the financial burden on future generations, especially when interest costs rise.
Councils will get more and more requests from ratepayers for financial assistance with rates, which will in turn increase the burden on those who can continue to pay.
Councils will attempt to increase the rates shared to commercial rather than residential, no doubt claiming it’s tax deductible to businesses. This will in turn cause more businesses to fail.
If politicians focused on reining in council spending, rather than suggesting levies by way of a wealth tax, it would receive crossparty support.
Ken Lawson
Oamaru
Hollyford
IT is good to read that the Lower Hollyford Rd will be rebuilt shortly (ODT, 10.11.20), but it is still a road to nowhere.
It should at least be extended to the navigable section of the Lower Hollyford River, even if it is only for bikes and service vehicles.
If there is a true change in New Zealand tourism after Covid19, it will be back to the old mantra of ‘‘people in parks’’ because that is a tonic to the nation’s angst.
The way it was meant, this region was accessible mainly to the wealthy tourists — I sincerely hope that will change.
Aaron Nicholson
Manapouri
Demolition for hospital
IF only the powers that be had visited Vancouver, a city with a waterfront and central heritage area much like Dunedin’s, and lovingly preserved for today’s and future generations.
It’s not too late to either save the current hospital from demolition and/or seek a more suitable location to build a new one. Meanwhile, chaos awaits.
I. Williams
Dunedin ...................................
BIBLE READING: Worship God and obey Him with all your heart and mind. — 1 Chronicles 28:9
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