To flush or not to flush?
Bayley Moor reports on reactions to a new sewerage scheme.
A rates bill hike of at least $1000 for a new sewerage treatment plant is causing a stink among Kerikeri ratepayers.
Over 350 central Kerikeri households will be affected by the scheme and will have to pay at least $1073 on top of their rates from 2018 - whether they choose to sign up or not. The treatment plant will be built on rural land about 3km south of Kerikeri.
If residents choose to join the scheme now, they will pay close to $1600 for drainage and other fees, with ongoing annual costs of around $1500.
Far North District Council estimates the cost will be $12,000 for residents who choose to join the scheme at a later date.
Resident Reena Kokotailo says the costs aren’t sustainable for many of Kerikeri’s ratepayers.
She says the information should have been made available sooner for a proper consultation process to occur. According to the 2013 census over 23 per cent of Kerikeri households earn under $30,000.
‘‘A small household pays the same as a large one, which is not user-pay and the capital rate is still charged even if you do not sign up.’’
A letter dated August 24 asked 354 households to opt in or out by September 9. But it didn’t reach some letterboxes until September 2. After questions from
this deadline was extended to September 23.
Council says the total cost to ratepayers will be $23.7 million less a Ministry of Health subsidy of $7.3 million. The subsidy was offered to council on the basis that the new plant is operational by October 2017.
FNDC spokeswoman Jacqui Robson says the existing wastewater treatment plant in Shepherd Rd is running at capacity.
Any delay in using the subsidy puts it, and benefits to the community, in jeopardy, she says.
‘‘That explains the time frame for a decision on whether or not to join the project.’’
Resident Roger Barnard describes the letter as an ‘‘ultimatum’’.
‘‘Firstly there is no time to make a decision about a big payment and second we don’t know what the fundamentals of the system are.’’
Kerikeri Ratepayers’ Group spokesperson Jane Johnston says it feels like an ‘‘intimidatory tactic’’ to be told if you sign up now the cost will be around $1600 compared with $12,000 to join later.
A public ratepayers meeting is at the Turner Centre on September 15 from 5.30pm.