Ire rising with rates around Porirua
Porirua ratepayers are facing a proposed average increase of 4.9 per cent - the second highest in the Wellington Region. We asked Neighbourly users how they felt about it, and what solutions they had for keeping rates down.
MIKE RODGERS, CAMBORNE
4.9 per cent I could probably stomach, but in Camborne we’re staring at a 10 per cent rates increase because of the property value increases. Rates should be a cost recovery exercise to fund critical core services and infrastructure, not an opportunistic cash grab to build surpluses or fund pet projects - or delegations to Asia for sister city rorts. This is a new council, traditionally the increased rates grab is symptomatic of a council that’s run out of ideas and innovation so this could be a long painful term.
KIM WHITAKER, PLIMMERTON
If rates continue to increase we will have to consider whether living in the area is still feasible. We could move up the coast where the reduction in rates will easily offset the increase in travel costs - shame as we love the area, but it gets to a point where it’s just not worth it.
CATRIONA GREIG, TITAHI BAY
We struggle as it is paying the rates at the cost now. Increasing it will seriously screw us over even more. After bills, we have $90 a week left to feed five people. A huge struggle.
SHAUN ELLIS, PUKERUA BAY
At the risk of sounding like a cliche, we are not happy with an increase as rates in Porirua are already high when compared with other centres. What upgrades or maintenance are required to services that require an increase in already relatively high rates burdens for home owners? To what degree do ratepayers subsidise other users of services in Porirua?
Is it possible for Pukerua Bay to leave Porirua and become part of the Kapiti Coast District where rates for homeowners are lower?
SUSAN WEEKES, PAREMATA
We moved from Wellington to Porirua seven years ago. We pay more in rates here but feel we get less for it. We still work in Wellington and use Wellington Library services among others. I don’t feel we get value for our rates bill here so am not happy to hear about the rise.
STAN NAJBERT, PLIMMERTON
Not happy at all. With an increasing rates base due to new housing and the permit fees charged with building a new house there is no reason to be increasing rates at all. [There should be no rates increase.]
CLINT PAUL, PUKERUA BAY
I was looking at building a couple of homes in the Porirua area recently, but the council costs have been driven far too high. Hutt City Council have decided to cut costs to encourage growth. Porirua City Council charged me a services fee of 15k last time I built a house, whereas Lower Hutt have cancelled this and removed other costs. PCC want growth and additional rates but what incentive is there? I know a developer that pulled a 200 home development from Porirua because of this reason.
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