Rates rise given tick
A crowd of pensioners packed the public gallery and reminded councillors that an election was coming.
Netherville Retirement Village residents warned they would be watching Hamilton City Council decisions on a proposed 9.7 per cent rates increase.
That increase – an average for residential ratepayers – is now reality for the 2018/19 financial year.
It’s part of council’s long-term plan, which councillors approved 10-3 at a meeting yesterday.
Rate increases will drop back to 3.8 per cent from 2019/20, the plan states.
Council’s long-term plan also includes projects such as preparing Peacocke for development, money for a regional theatre, improved roading and city transport and a Rototuna community hub.
Much of yesterday’s debate was about plans for a central city park and a past decision to set aside $7m for three strategic properties on Victoria Street.
Councillor Rob Pascoe tried to get that money shifted to ‘‘general property purchases’’ for the River Plan.
An Audit New Zealand report on the park process was still under way, Pascoe said, councillors don’t know the full project costs, and there’s ‘‘wheeling and dealing going on’’.
The $7m didn’t give anyone permission to buy properties, Councillor Geoff Taylor said – those decisions would come to council.
‘‘All that this ... does is keep us in the game, so we don’t get built out, so at some point we have a chance to utilise some of that land.’’
Pascoe’s move narrowly missed out on majority support in a 7-6 vote.
Rates were also debated, and council had softened its approach on three fronts: a smaller increase, and a threeyear transition to capital value rating and a $500 uniform annual general charge.
Council gave conflicting financial messages, Cr Paula Southgate said when she spoke against the planned rate increases.
But Cr Dave Macpherson said tens of millions in savings chief executive Richard Briggs is expected to find addressed calls for council to tighten its belt.
Cr Garry Mallett saw a solution: shutting the CBD library and iSite, and charging for central parking to save $84m over the next decade.
Councillors voted 10-3 to adopt the long-term plan, with Siggi Henry, Angela O’Leary, and Paula Southgate against it.
‘‘All that this ... does is keep us in the game, so we don’t get built out, so at some point we have a chance to utilise some of that land.’’
Councillor Geoff Taylor