District council weighs in on rates proposal
Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) is weighing in on a proposed regional council rates change for Waikato farmers.
The Waikato Regional Plan has over 70 permitted activity rules, several of which relate to effluent and sediment discharges and are subject to proactive monitoring. As part of its Long Term Plan (LTP) Waikato Regional Council (WRC) is proposing to change how it funds this monitoring.
Part of the new proposal is the introduction of a new primary industry compliance rate which will be assessed against all properties 20 hectares or greater in area.
MPDC said they are not supportive of the rates increase for larger properties because primary industries are already under stress. The MPDC submission states:
“We do not support the primary industry compliance funding proposal.
“Primary industries play a significant role in the economy of our district. Whilst we are cognisant of the complex issues that all local authorities are facing in the preparation of LTP including ourselves, the council wishes to highlight the particular challenges that our rural communities are facing including increasing costs, compliance and demands, which impact the physical and mental health of rural communities.” Matamata-Piako District mayor Adrienne Wilcock, a dairy farmer, said the council is considering their wider district community.
“Our district’s main economic driver is the primary sector, so the increasing level of compliance and the associated costs are of concern to our rural ratepayers.
“There is some uncertainty over the longer term implications beyond year two. We noted the need for effective practical reporting solutions that are less time consuming and are mindful of escalating costs in the sector.”
Waikato Regional Councillor Noel Smith previously claimed that the rates change is a broad brush approach to a specific issue.
He said the proposal only got through to the LTP on the casting vote of the council chair so he is keen to hear what the community has to say about the higher rate.
“Rural ratepayers with 20ha or more will pay twice under the proposal, firstly their share of the general rate and now in a targeted manner while those between 2 and 20ha will be covered by every ratepayer in the region via general rates,” Smith said.
“While I have my own concerns my main aim to ensure ratepayers have the opportunity to submit on whether they oppose or support it.”
Public consultation for the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan closes May 2.
The final decision will be made June 25 and adopted by council.
The changes will have the following impact:
■ A targeted rate reduction of $73.37 per annum for the estimated 13,800 properties that are between 2 and 20 hectares.
■ A rates increase of approximately $111 (incl. GST) per annum for those 10,860 properties 20 hectares or greater.
■ An increase in the general rate of $441,000 (equivalent to a 0.3% increase).
The mayor was not aware of submissions from other district councils.