Waimea Weekly
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Wednesday 17 December 2014
Supporting young talent
All I want for Christmas
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Value of our houses up 5.5% Home owners in Richmond, Mapua, Brightwater and Wakefield could face the biggest rates increases next year after the Tasman district’s latest three-yearly revaluations showed residential properties rose an average of 5.5 per cent, with Richmond properties increasing 6.9 per cent. The figures released last week show that the average house capital value in the district is now $418,400, with Richmond houses averaging $438,000 and Murchison houses $186,500. Farming properties increased by
an average of 4.7 per cent with horticulture blocks leading the way with an average increase of 9.6 per cent. The district’s 641 commercial properties increased by 1.9 percent to $1.098 million while the 397 industrial properties rose 2.1 per cent to $1.191million. Forestry blocks increased 4.8 per cent to an average of $840,000. However, council corporate services manager, Mike Drummond, stresses there is no direct relationship between revaluations
and changes to next year’s rates. Houses in the larger urban settlements like Richmond are likely to face higher rates increases only because their values increased more than other properties. “A revaluation of the district does not increase or decrease the council’s total rating income,” Mike says. “What it can change is the proportion of total council rates per property.” Mike says rates also affected by uniform charges such as the Uniform Annual Gen-
eral Charge or the District Facilities Rate which are set charges and independent of changes in revaluations. He says valuations will be used for rating from July 1 next year and it is important for residents to ensure they are satisfied with the valuation. “If you don’t agree with your revaluation you can either go to the Quotable Value website (ratingvalues.co.nz) or talk to them directly to make an objection.” Property owners have until February 9 next year to object to their revaluations.
Miracle baby heading home
Nelson mum Vicki Frost with her baby boy Jack, who was born four months premature. Photo: Andrew Board.
Andrew Board Baby Jack Frost is on track to go home this week, four months after he was born but just days before his original due date, December 21. Jack’s mum, Vicki Frost, went into labour at just 23 weeks and she was told by doctors at Nelson Hospital that they wouldn’t try to save her baby, he was just too young. But four harrowing months on Jack is healthy, happy and ready to go home for the first time. The incredible journey that Jack, along with Vicki and her husband Marty, have been on has not only touched their friends and family, but the 3000 Facebook followers that Vicki’s page has attracted. She says writing the daily updates of Jack’s battle has
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