Bus woes contribute to increase in rates
The capital’s bus debacle is part of the reason Wellingtonians will be about $50 poorer a year as the regional council readies to pass a 6.5 per cent rate rise.
In its 2019-20 annual plan, the Greater Wellington Regional Council said ‘‘significant cost pressures’’ had been incurred due to additional bus services introduced in response to public demand and rising fuel prices which affected its contracts with bus operators.
Other costs related to budget blowouts for investment programmes such as Lower Hutt’s RiverLink flood protection scheme and the rail network.
The plan will be discussed before it can be approved at tomorrow’s full council meeting.
The rates rise has been proposed to fund projects previously set out in Greater Wellington’s Long Term Plan 2018-28.
It equates to 97 cents a week for the average residential ratepayer and is 0.6 per cent higher than forecast in the Long Term Plan.
Actual rates increases will vary by region, based on the valuation of residential and commercial properties.
Council chair Chris Laidlaw said in a statement yesterday it looked forward to progressing works that would add value to the region.
‘‘Council has tried its very best to minimise the rate increase and to achieve a fair balance between avoiding too much pressure on ratepayers and ensuring we can continue to advance long-term programmes that bring significant benefits to the region.’’
Councillors would engage in community and stakeholder meetings over the coming months to discuss the plan, the statement said.
The council would not seek formal submissions about what’s proposed for the 2019-20 Annual Plan.