Steep rates rise looms for Napier

Napier residents will have to turn out their pockets even further for their city council, as rates are set to rise by as much as 11.2 per cent for some over the next year.

As part of Napier City Council’s draft long-term plan, rates across the board were proposed to increase over the next financial year, except for CBD commercial rates, which would drop by about 9.2 per cent.

Bay View residents were being stung with an average 8 per cent rates rise for properties with no sewerage rate. However, those with the sewerage rate would only face a 7.8 per cent increase.

Rates for industrial properties would be raised by an average 11.2 per cent, which was offset by an average decrease of 9.2 per cent for CBD commercial properties.

Residential rates for city properties would go up by an average of 6.7 per cent.

Miscellaneous properties would face an average rates rise of 4.4 per cent, while rural properties would face an average 5.4 per cent rise.

All of the changes would mean an overall average increase of 5.6 per cent for existing ratepayers.

This meant it was the highest average rates increase for the city over the past six years. During the 2017-18 cycle, rates went up by an average 4.9 per cent.

Bay View residents were facing higher rates because of an ‘‘assessed benefit review of general rate funded services provided to these properties’’, the council said.

While the overall change was an average 5.6 per cent increase, ‘‘many of the city’s commercial ratepayers are likely to see a decrease’’.

While the overall change was an average 5.6 per cent increase, ‘‘many of the city’s commercial ratepayers are likely to see a decrease’’.

Napier City Council

‘‘We hope this provides further encouragement to our commercial industries to continue to grow and develop great businesses here,’’ Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said.

Much of the revenue collected would go towards the council’s many water projects. Four of its five major projects involved water.

In December, the council moved forward two projects which would address the city’s water supply.

These were a $1.7 million project which consolidated water treatment in two locations at Taradale and Awatoto, and a $4.6m project to replace below-ground bores at Taradale borefield. The latter’s cost had now been raised to $4.8m.

The total cost for all of the council’s projects addressing the city’s water supply was $32m, the majority of which would go towards an $11.5m replacement of the Enfield reservoir.

Several other expensive projects are being planned by the council, including a $41.3m expansion to the Napier Aquatic Centre, a $52.7m expansion of the Napier Aquarium, and a new Napier Library at a $15.8m cost.