Rates to rise 6.94%

Tapanui ratepayers face an 8.1% rates increase. Photo by Glenn Conway.
Tapanui ratepayers face an 8.1% rates increase. Photo by Glenn Conway.
An extra $100,000 may have been added into the Clutha District Council's 2009-10 budget but the overall effect on rates has been a slight drop on the original figure.

Instead of paying an extra 7.05% in their overall rates bill for the next year, ratepayers face a 6.94% jump, although the amount paid by residents in different towns will vary.

The rates were struck and the council's draft long-term council community plan adopted at a special council meeting on Thursday night.

The impact on each settlement around the district varies, with Tapanui residents expected to face a 8.1% jump in rates, while Kaka Point homeowners may pay up to 1% less than this year.

Council chief executive Charles Hakkaart said the extra money placed in budgets had lifted the uniform annual general charge by $8.90 to $422.60.

The extra money includes $20,000 for a community co-ordinator, $28,700 annually for two years to the South Otago Historical Society towards employing a curator, $20,000 to help the Taieri Mouth Amenities Society build a boat ramp, $15,000 towards the Lawrence 150th celebrations in 2011, $10,000 a year for three years to help develop a Roxburgh-Lawrence walking and cycle trail and continued support of the Gore Women's Refuge of $7650 annually.

The long-term plan also includes spending on infrastructure, a planned $2 million makeover of Balclutha's main street and a donation of up to $1.2 million towards the planned Clutha Recreation Centre.

Mr Hakkaart said the council had been pragmatic in its approach by pushing ahead with some exciting new projects and making infrastructure improvements while making savings such as putting seal extensions on hold for two years.

The rate take for the next financial year will be $19.78 million, up 6.94% on the past financial year.

The draft plan predicts the rates take over the next decade will lift to $28.43 million.


• The effects of the rates rise are:

Balclutha, 5.4% increase; Clinton, 4.7% increase; Kaitangata, 3.8% increase; Kaka Point, 1% decrease; Lawrence, 6.1% increase; Milton, 2.7% increase; Owaka, 5.6% increase; Stirling, 0.3% increase; Tapanui, 8.1% increase; Waihola, 1% increase; Taieri Mouth, 6.5% decrease; rural property with $205,000 capital value, 11.1% increase; rural example with $1.8 million capital value, 10.4% decrease; rural example, $4.8 million capital value, 19.1% decrease; rural example, $7.7 million capital value, 14.2% increase.

 

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