Rates shock

Both Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council have indicated rates rises for the coming year. What they have omitted to tell ratepayers is that the increases will not be based on our current rates but on the new government valuations.

Wellington ratepayers mostly had a decent increase in their GV so we should prepare for a shock when we receive the first of the new rate invoices. I can’t say I am looking forward to a expensive rate increase as a retired person; neither should others on fixed incomes, a benefit or a low income.

Renters will also be hit when the landlord has to recoup the increases in both council and regional rates.

The two councils should be more transparent and explain to ratepayers that we aren’t getting an increase of 3.8 per cent and 6.9 per cent on the current year’s rates. The increase will be well in excess of that for most ratepayers, given the increase in the household GV. Doug King, Lyall Bay