Have your say on rating change
Public consultation is now open for submissions on Greater Wellington Regional Council’s proposed rating change in the Revenue and Financing Policy and Annual
Plan 2019/20.
There is no other organisation that you pay money to for services that offers you such an opportunity — it is unique to local government.
The 2019/20 regional rates increase equates to an average of 5.9 per cent, as forecast in the Long Term Plan 2018-28. In my column a fortnight ago I covered the proposed increase from the perspective of the Ka¯ piti Coast, but as a regional organisation we have a bigger picture to focus on and wider issues to consider.
Over the past year property values rose faster in some parts of the region than others, and these spikes mean those districts have an increased share of regional rates compared with other districts.
For example, in the Wellington City, the combination of rising property valuations and the total value of residential properties in proportion to the total value of CBD business property has an effect of increasing residential rates. That’s the gain and the pain that we experienced in the Ka¯ piti Coast last year.
For the short-term GWRC is proposing a change to how the general rate is allocated between property types in Wellington City to address the spike.
The proposal is that a differential be applied on the general rate within Wellington City to re-balance the
The 2019/20 regional rates increase equates to an average of 5.9 per cent, as forecast in the Long Term Plan 2018-28.
proportions paid by business and residential properties.
To do this, we need to make a specific amendment to our Revenue and Financing Policy, which outlines funding sources including regional rates.
This amendment will have a flowon change to Greater Wellington’s rating Funding Impact Statement in the Long Term Plan 2018-28, which is why the change is now being consulted on in the Annual Plan 2019/20.
Consultation on this proposed rating change is open until 5pm on 24 May and public hearings will be held on Friday, June 7.
For more information and to make an online submission visit haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/ ontrack2019-20