No different rating

Ruapehu Bulletin, 10 August 1990, Page 4

No different rating

In some parts of the District last year differential rating systems were in place. For example Taumarunui Borough had a differential rating system which meant that commercial and industrial properties paid a higher rate in the dollar than residential and rural properties. In National Park a differential rating scheme ensured that commercial properties Turnpage6

Rates problem

rrom page 4 and in particular the tourist accommodation industry paid much higher rates in the dollar than residential ratepayers. In other parts of the District no such differential rating systems were in place and all such existing systems expired with the demise of the previous Councils. The current Council had indicated that it prefers to rely on the valuation base determined by an impartial third party, namely Valuation New Zealand, to determine the incidence of rating in the District rather than artificially varying that incidence by means of a differential rating system. Changes to the ra^jng systems in place in the former Council areas are therefore inevitable; the area of concern is the extent of the change. Like everything else with the new District the rating system has to be built up from the ground upwards and it is inevitable with any system of general application that some will be favoured by its introduction whilst others will be disadvantaged. This is an inevitable outcome of the reform of local government and the formation of units of larger sizes than was previously the case. However the matter is finally addresses, a rating system must be put in place which is appropriate for the needs of the new District.