Back to the Drawing Board

Ruapehu Bulletin, 31 August 1990, Page 12

Back to the Drawing Board

• The purpose of this letter is to object to the proposed massive increase in rates for the Waimarino Rural Sector. Whilst not professing to understand the intricacies of the rate fixing systems as argued by the General Manager in a recent edition of your paper I would base these objections on the grounds of commonsense and equity. As the General Manager has admitted, the rate-payers of the Waimarino Rural Area will be amongst those most adversely affected by the intended changes. These changes would appear manifestally unfair on several counts. Whilst I appreciate the difficulty facing Council in the fixing of Rates for the Waimarino, one must wonder why we are so far out of kilter with the other rural areas represented by this new Council - surely that is not our fault! We seemed

to be paying our way before. It would seem to follow that the problem lies in the method being used to fix these rates - it is unfair - that surely is the problem of the powers in the council - it is, after all their job. If they cannot be seen to be acting fairly this must point, on a general basis, to a flaw in the reasoning behind these new changes. It would therefore seem appropriate for the council to go back to the drawing board - perhaps some form of differential rating is the answer - whatever it is. There are also further flaws in such a massive increase in rural rates. These can probably be best summed up with the Question: "what do we get for them?" Rural rate payers do not receive the same services as their urban fellows. We are normally responsible for and pay for our water supply, sewerage disposal and rubbish disposal. In the case of those in more remote areas they often have to put up with roads that are harder on vehicles, (an added cost) and more prone to problems than those in the more populated areas. Maybe there is a case here for a rural rebate as opposed to the intended increase. Another point against the acceptance of a massive rate increase is the uncertain future facing

the perpetrator of these new district councils - The Labour Government. If qne can believe the polls they seem doomed. The National Party has indicated that they are more than a little sceptical about these district councils. On this basis we should be wary about huge increases and council should postpone them at least until their political future is established. Lastly it has been stated that these new increases are a "one off measure to bring us all into line under the same rating system. Well I have seen these "one off measures" before and I don't trust them - they are generally a selfserving beauracratic excuse for separating private individuals from more of their loot. So I would reiterate my earlier plea to the powers in the district council - Back to the drawing board - these increases are not justified.

John

McCarthy