Council faces backlash over huge rates increases
A backlash is brewing over the Upper Hutt City Council’s plans to increase rates by 19.92% annually for the next three years.
A petition is calling on the council to “stop the massive rates increases” proposed in its long-term plan.
“These rate increases could potentially cause major hardship for homeowners, renters and the community as a whole,” the petition says.
Organiser Paul
Fabian said there was a fear in the community that older people on fixed incomes would not be able to afford the increase.
“People simply cannot afford it; a lot of people are struggling.”
The petition “gives people a voice” and he was hoping the council listened to the community.
Community comment has focused on the council spending more than $50 million upgrading the swimming pool, and the apparent lack of long-term planning to meet the cost of water infrastructure.
Mayor Wayne Guppy said he understood why residents were concerned and that was why the council wascalling for submissions.
Much of the increase was targeted at Three Waters infrastructure. Guppy said that like councils nationwide, Upper Hutt had to deal with an unexpected huge increase in the cost of major projects.
“There is no sugar-coating this. It tough time for the council.”
He pointed out that the council had consulted on the pool upgrade and there was overwhelming support for it.
Fabian accepted that the council was in a tricky situation but said it should have seen the need to invest in water infrastructure is a coming and planned accordingly.
“The council’s financial mismanagement should not be the ratepayers’ issue.”
Although Upper Hutt traditionally had low rates, the increase over the next three years would change that, and Fabian said it was unreasonable to increase the rates so significantly over such a short period.
The petition had created a lot of comment, with people like Marion Daue expressing concern about their ability to afford the increase.
“I’m terrified I won’t be able to afford to stay in my home and [will] have to sell up and leave Upper Hutt.”
Peter Lawson was also worried about