hronicle C Horowhenua
LOVE THIS PAPER, LOVE THIS PLACE
Established 1893
Proud supporters of the Horowhenua Chronicle 9820049AF 9163520AC 9202169AB
HOROWHENUA MOTOR CO CO. LTD
ANDERSONS OUTDOOR MACHINERY LTD
PHONE: (06) 368 5109
NEW WORLD LEVIN
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2014
Proposed rate changes alarm home owners By PETER FRANKLIN Retirees heading to Horowhenua to enjoy a lifestyle promoted by Horowhenua District Council as the best in the country are in for a shock, according to Levin residents Paul and Jan Smith. The couple are among a growing number of people horrified by council’s proposed rate changes that will see their rates rise by more than 79 per cent if the rate review is accepted by council. Currently, general rates and the roading and stormwater rates are calculated based on the land value of a property. Under the proposed change to capital value, rates would be calculated on the value of the land plus what is built on the land, such as a house, a shop or factory. Mr Smith said they were not unrealistic, understanding that rates must go up to maintain services and upgrades. However, after meeting with more than 30 fellow residents from Pohutukawa Drive and surrounding area, he believes the consultation by council with ratepayers was flawed. He said only the top 1 per cent of ratepayers, those whose rates would increase by
LVN191114splAerial2
A new rating proposal being considered by Horowhenua District Council could see some home owners facing 80 per cent increases in rates. $1000 and above, were initially contacted to make submissions. Submissions on the proposal closed at 5pm on Monday. “When I asked some of our neighbours, they knew nothing about the proposal. One was in tears saying she could not afford the proposed increase and would have to sell her home,” he said. Under council’s new capital value proposal the Smith’s annual rates would increase from $1500 to $2759, plus
Horizons Regional Council rates. The couple will be looking at an annual rates bill of $3100. Mr Smith said another issue, should the proposed rates change go through, was the negative affect on house sales — particularly for people looking to come to the area and retire “in their own bit of heaven”. The Smiths said they had worked hard all their lives and, like many others, had invested all their finances into
their dream home. However, as Mr Smith pointed out, they were still retirees on a fixed income. They feel that they are being punished for the sacrifices made by working hard and achieving their lifestyle goal. Horowhenua District Council chief executive David Clapperton said he could assure ratepayers that no decisions had been made and that the pre-consultation, though not a legal requirement, had been undertaken simply to help form a rating proposal for the Draft Long Term Plan 2015-2025. Mr Clapperton said full consultation would happen next March and April, when the public could make formal submissions and also have the opportunity to present submissions to council in person. “It will be the outcome of the submission process next year that will determine the rating system council will use,” Mr Clapperton said. He said council was legally required to review its rating system and they were doing so to determine the most appropriate option for the present and future needs of the district. The total amount of rates levied in any particular year by council would not change, just how rates are divided among property owners.
Summertime Cruising
117 Oxford Street, Levin 36 854 59 www.southendcycles.co.nz
Gift ideas check instore
INSIDE
Pink bales — page 3
Remembering — page 13
SO ORT T YOU UR GAR RDEN FOR R CH HRIIST TMA AS
$1000 OFF
ALL NEW WALKER MOWERS SOLD
GST OFF
SELECTED STIHL EQUIPMENT
10% OFF
ALL CASTELGARDEN MOWERS
108 Oxford S 1 Street, treet, Levin | 0800 688 8 37 376 | www.k www.kcmotors.co.nz kcmoto ors.co.nz o r