Zero rates rise for STDC

This year’s rates rise will be shelved by the South Taranaki District Council to support residents and businesses in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council also plans to freeze its fees and charges and to excuse tenants of commercial properties it owns from paying rent while they are unable to open. The council has put together a package of measures aimed at bringing relief to residents and businesses, South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon said.

The measures have yet to be formally voted on by the council but all councillors had discussed and agreed on the plans at a workshop held remotely, he said.

Some will be actioned immediately while others are more long term and will require additional planning before being rolled out.

‘‘In particular we are looking at initiatives and projects that can get the economy going by using, where possible, local businesses and contractors.’’

The council has applied for Government financial assistance for six significant ‘shovel ready’ projects including construction of its new library, arts and culture centre, Te Ramanui o te Ruapu¯ tahanga, and the infrastructure for the new Ha¯ wera business park.

Other measures include payment plans and rates penalty remissions for those experiencing financial hardship, paying local and small suppliers weekly, offering business support and assisting to fund a professional services grant to support smallmedium enterprises through Venture Taranaki, and cancelling library fines until normal services resume.