Struggling families, businesses impacted by plan, public say
Low-income families of four or more could see their annual water costs double to more than $1000 if meters are introduced in Stratford, as is proposed in the district council’s draft long-term plan.
The concerns around metering and the impact of other projects on already-struggling businesses were highlighted at Tuesday’s 10-year plan public meeting at Whaakahurangi Marae.
Mayor Neil Volzke started off by telling the gathering of 10 about the council’s proposal to introduce water meters.
This could see the current annual flat rate of $573 dropped to $335 before consumption costs are added. The council has estimated a ‘‘large’’ family of four could see their annual bill hit $961.
Chrissy Darth, co-owner of Brian Darth Funeral Services, described that as quite an increase and said the costs would be ‘‘significant for low-income families’’.
Volzke said he was not disagreeing but this was an effort to save water, with the hope that people would be more conservative in their use.
The mayor said it would be similar to a power line charge with a cost on top.
Lovey Read, of the marae, said she was also concerned about the cost that would fall on them as they often held hui (meetings) and other events with large numbers of people.
Councillor Jono Erwood asked the mayor if the marae could apply for a rates remission.
Volzke said it could, but added: ‘‘I can’t promise what the outcome of that is.’’
When it came to discussions about the proposal for a targeted economic development rate, which would see commercial property owners pay more and residents’ rates drop, Volzke said businesses benefited more from improvements to the town.
But Chrissy Darth argued that a higher rate would create a snowball effect on already-struggling small businesses.
‘‘It is going to be pushed down to that little business,’’ Darth said. ‘‘And they are going to push that down to the customer.’’
Her husband, Brian Darth, agreed the extra cost would then be passed on to the ‘‘little old lady’’.
‘‘When you have a business expense, you pass that on,’’ he said.
Chrissy also wanted to know exactly what the $1.9 million that is estimated to be collected from the targeted economic development rate would be spent on.
Council chief executive Sven Hanne said they had plans, which he would not directly reveal.
He said that was not the argument at the meeting.
‘‘We are not consulting on what we do. We are consulting on who pays,’’ Hanne said.
■ This meeting was the last of its kind as public submissions on the proposed plan are due by this Sunday.