How much are rates going up this year?
Individual rates differ so yours may be above or below this figure, but the average across the district is 3.9%. Excluding volumetric charges, 96% of properties fall between the range of 3% and 6%. That's lower than predicted in the Long Term Council Community Plan and still covers the uniform annual charge (UAGG) and Auckland Amenity rate among other services.
What period does this cover?
It covers the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, including the 4 months before the Council will become part of the new Auckland Council.
What are the main factors which contributed to this increase?
Inflationary cost increases have contributed to an increase, as well as increased interest and depreciation charges
How will GST effect my rates?
On 1 October 2010 GST will increase from 12.5% to 15%. As a result any rates you pay after October 1 will attract 15% GST, whereas if you pay in full before October 1 you will pay the lower GST charge.
What is the Uniform Annual General Charge for?
UAGC’s are becoming increasingly widely used by Councils throughout New Zealand. A UAGC is a fixed charge which is applied to each household, and is not related to the value of a property. There are some Council services which all properties benefit equally from so it is appropriate that some services be funded through the UAGC.
Why are Commercial & Industrial properties charged for the Leisure Centre?
The Leisure Centre is one of the many community facilities which attract staff and customers to the area, which benefits our commercial sector.
Why have the Kawau Is property owners been charged Civic Leadership and the full UAGC rate?
A UAGC is a fixed charge which is applied to each household, and is not related to the value of a property. There are some Council services which all properties benefit equally from so it is appropriate that these services be funded through the UAGC.
Civic leadership covers costs such as the cost of communicating with ratepayers, the costs of Council meetings and preparing submissions to other organisations. These activities are things that all ratepayers benefit from and therefore contribute toward – for example, the Council has spent a considerable amount of time at Council meetings discussing Environment Court cases relating to Kawau Island.
Why do we have to pay the Regional Amenities and Museums rate?
The Government recently introduced legislation which requires ratepayers from all Auckland councils to contribute towards the cost of maintaining a number of Auckland facilities such as the Coastguard, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Philharmonic. Rodney District Council does not set these regional charges.
Why has the pan charge been replaced with Volumetric Wastewater?
The Council believes that setting wastewater charges based on usage rather than fixed charges is a fairer system. Setting charges based on people’s usage means that people have more control over how much they are charged for wastewater and is also better for the environment as it encourages people to conserve water.
Why have you included non-water metered properties in Volumetric WW charging?
Non-metered properties have a fixed charge equivalent to the pan charge previous paid by all properties connected to the wastewater network.
How will you decide if I am to be charged fixed charge or volumetrically for wastewater?
If you are connected to the wastewater network and have a council metered water supply you will be charged volumetrically for wastewater. If you have no meter, or use less than 120 cubic metres per annum you will have a fix charge..
Why have you made these changes given the impending “super city” change?
The changes that the Council has made to the rating system were made following public consultation on Rodney’s Long Term Council Community Plan. It is likely that the LTCCP will continue to be referred to for the next three years, even if Rodney becomes part of a Super City.
The Government has indicated that they want councils to continue to operate on a business as usual basis and this means that it is appropriate for councils to continue to review their existing policies as they would normally do.
My rateable value is higher than the value of my property, how can you use these values when they are wrong?
Rateable values were set as at 1 September 2007. This is the value in place, and used by council, until the next rating cycle. On some occasions, as in the current downturn of property values, that historical value and therefore current rates may differ from a property’s perceived value