Sewerage rates hike is ‘unfair’
Kerikeri moteliers Andrea and Alan Bligh say the council is being unfair charging such high rates for extra toilets on their property.
Andrea says it currently costs the Colonial House Motel $1320 per year to empty the three septic tanks they own.
With the new sewerage scheme it will cost them $10,290 per year to manage their wastewater. These annual costs include the capital cost of $1073 but also includes a hefty $936 charge for each additional toilet (they have 10) for the capital and operating costs.
‘‘We really want to connect to the wastewater scheme but these annual costs are really scary and prohibitive and there is no guarantee they will not increase further. ‘‘We cannot pass this cost onto the guest, since this would negatively affect our accommodation businesses and drive guests elsewhere out of Kerikeri.’’
The council was due to meet with Hospitality New Zealand representatives on November 14.
The $23.7 million treatment plant will be built on rural land 3km south of Kerikeri, replacing the existing 25-year-old plant in Shepherd Rd.
The council plans to meet the costs from a targeted rate and Ministry of Health subsidy.
Those already connected to the existing sewerage scheme are set for a rates hike as well. An increased charge will apply of $689 for the capital and operating rate from July 1, 2018 for residents in the ‘area of benefit’ who are already connected.
This includes Fairway Drive resident Jean Grimwood who says the increased rates bill will have a big impact.
‘‘I assumed it didn’t mean us, it’s not fair, we have already paid once [for the old system].’’
A council spokesman Mike Isle says these residents have not yet been sent letters informing them of an increased rates bill to help pay for the new sewerage scheme.
Legislation only requires the council to limit rate differentials to land use, area of land, location and district plan provisions but not on the basis of the owner’s age or income.
A rates rebate scheme is administered by the council to assist low income households with council rates.
The Kerikeri Ratepayers Association have written letters to the auditor general outlining their concerns and are yet to receive a response.
A post on Facebook of a shoot with a model with helium balloons in her hair got her thinking, ‘‘I should do this for something.’’
McGrath’s hair is very long - down past her waist - and the balloons will hold her hair straight up in the air.
‘‘I’m probably going to need some sort of ribbon to go over my hair so I can hold them down a bit so they don’t pull my hair too much.’’
She’s spent the past couple of weeks investigating balloons and ways to attach them to her hair. She’s only done one trial, and with only one balloon as the helium is expensive. She has entered the run/walk category.
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