The South Taranaki District Council (STDC) is proposing one of the lowest rates increases in the country according to its 2022/23 draft Annual Plan.
The Plan, being released for public feedback today (Monday 9 May), is proposing an average rate increase of 2.84%, below the current 6.9% rate of inflation, and lower than the 4.68% originally projected in its 2021-31 Long Term Plan.
South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon says he is very pleased the Council has been able to reduce the projected rate increase, although the effect on individual properties will vary due to the recent District property revaluation, which saw substantial increases in the value of residential and commercial properties.
“Since its last valuation three years ago, the district has had an average increase in property value of 20.4%. This was largely driven by significant increases in the residential and commercial sectors - while dairy and pastoral properties saw a small decrease.”
“If your property’s valuation increased more than the district average increase (20.4%) you will pay more than the 2.84% rate increase. Consequently, if your property’s capital value did not increase as much as the district’s average movement then your rates will not increase as much as indicated and may even decrease,” says Mayor Nixon.
“Our Council is always conscious of the need to keep any rate increases to an affordable level, and we were particularly focussed on minimising any impact the new property values may have on ratepayers without compromising future plans or our overall financial position,” he says.
Mayor Nixon says the Council’s focus for the 2022/23 year continues to be on undertaking activities that encourage sustainable, prosperous and vibrant communities.
“We are doing that with projects such as the district business park, construction of Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga, development of town centre revitalisation upgrades for Eltham, Waverley, Manaia, Pātea and Ōpunakē, implementation of Council’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy and completion of the Nukumaru Station Road extension south of Waverley. While at the same time continuing extensive upgrades and improvements to our road, water and wastewater infrastructure.”
Other notable projects that the Council will work on in 2022/2023 include: building a new reservoir at Waimate West, earthquake strengthening and upgrading the Eltham Town Hall, undertaking water pressure improvements in Pātea, establishment of a business enterprise hub and co-working space and progressing work on a new community facility in Manaia.
More information on the Council’s 2022/23 Annual Plan will be published in the 12 May edition of Southlink in the Taranaki Star and the draft Plan document can be found here.
Feedback on the Plan can be submitted until Friday 20 May.
