ES proposes new flood protection rate; 23% rates rise
Environment Southland is proposing a 23% average rates increase this year, including the introduction of a new Flood Protection Infrastructure rate so that funding sources for river schemes are applied across the region.
The new flood protection rate would replace 140 targeted catchment rates, and would equate to $22 a year for a Southland property valued at $450,000; and $239 for a property valued at $5 million, the council says.
The regional council’s draft Long-term Plan consultation document, Investing in Southland Whakangao Ki Murihiku, was discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday and will be released for consultation.
At the meeting, Councillor Paul Evans said he ‘’didn’t remember’’ signing up for a 23% rates rise, but deputy chairman Jeremy McPhail said it had been signalled.
The document says the regional council is proposing that funding sources for river schemes be applied across the region.
This recognises that all ratepayers benefit from the security of critical infrastructure and services such as roads, power, telecommunications, air travel and emergency services. It says the council’s key proposal is for ongoing and greater investment in flood protection for Southland to improve community resilience.
The rate would increase the council’s operating expenditure of $2.3 million per annum, which would fund increased flood modelling and data collection, improved capability and maintenance and investigation into alternative ways to reduce flood risk for the longer term. The council also proposes that rates are set using capital value instead of land value for flood infrastructure, biodiversity and land sustainability.
This reflects the economic benefit the council services deliver, and ensures those who have greater capital investment pay a fair share towards these, the council says.
Council chairman Nicol Horrell said the region has an extensive network of flood protection infrastructure, but a changing climate with severe and enduring events, coupled with ageing infrastructure may result in a reduced level of protection over time if there is no additional investment.
“It’s important we maintain a fit-for-purpose network that can continue to provide protection to people, property and critical infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, utilities and the airport, all of which are important to Southlanders and the regional economy.”
The rates increase for 2024-25 for a $450,000 property would equate to $1.20 per week – 50 cents for council’s services, including inflation; 40c for increased flood operating expenditure; 30c for funding costs, the council said in a press release.
changes The rates to the calculations way the council include rates, proposed which will be consulted on via a Statement of Proposal for the Revenue & Financing Policy and Rating Review, at the same time as the Long-term Plan consultation.
It also proposes moving the biosecurity and land sustainability rates (land value) into the general rate (capital value). The move to capital value would also align Environment Southland with the other Southland councils and the majority of other councils within New Zealand that rate on capital value.
“At the moment, our rating system is complicated and we wanted to make it simpler and more equitable,” Horrell said.
“I encourage people to let us know what they think of our proposals. Councillors are very interested in your views and will be listening to what you have to say,” he said.
The official consultation period opened yesterday and closes on May 6.