Horizons rates rise

Regional rates across Manawatu¯ will rise slightly after calls to cut ‘‘airy fairy’’ projects were rejected.

Horizons Regional Council adopted its Annual Plan on Tuesday, which includes an average rates rise of 1 per cent.

The figure would have been 5.95 per cent, but the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic forced a rethink.

The 1 per cent figure would cover increased costs of insurance, bus services and the ‘‘total mobility’’ transport scheme for people with disabilities, as well as lower-than-expected income from interest returns.

Many councillors pointed out the 1 per cent figure was not going to be what people saw when they received their next bills.

Manawatu¯, Whanganui and Horowhenua ratepayers had just had property revaluations, so their rates were likely to go up significantly more.

Tararua-based councillor Allan Benbow said that was a bigger issue than the 1 per cent rise.

The lack of new money meant there would not be funds to help battle noxious weed old man’s beard and gorse, which were establishing a foothold in Tararua, he said.

Whanganui-based Nicola Patrick said her ‘‘quite average house’’ had jumped in value by more than $100,000, so her rates would go up about 17 per cent.

The 1 per cent average rise would add less than a dollar per week to her bill, she said.

Manawatu¯-based Bruce Gordon said he was against any kind of rise and would have supported a rates reduction.

‘‘It’s not about money. It’s about the signal we are sending by having any kind of rates increase at all.’’

Projects in areas such as biosecurity and education could have been cut, he said.

‘‘We have a lot of airy fairy stuff that goes on in this organisation that should cease.’’

Manawatu¯-based John Turkington supported the call for a rates reduction, saying there would be record numbers of people made unemployed.

Palmerston North-based Fiona Gordon said people had consistently told the council they wanted more done.

‘‘They want more work in the areas some councillors might call airy fairy, like biodiversity and education.’’

Biodiversity programmes included improvements at Te

piti-manawatu¯ Gorge and To¯tara Reserve.