Rates battle success for rural payers

Ruapehu Bulletin, 26 March 1991, Page 1

Rates battle success for rural payers

The first round in the war against a further 23 per cent increase in rural rate was won at last Friday's Ruapehu District Council meeting.

A show of hands was necessary before a notice of motion on a rates system change proposed by Councillor Weston Kirton was adopted by the Ruapehu District Council. At its monthly meeting in Taumarunui Council was asked to adopt a notice of motion which proposed: (1) Councils' rating to philosophy statement (of 22 June 1990) be amended by deleting roading costs as a sole charge against the general rate and making provision for the apportionment of such costs on the basis of 'North/South' roading rates; and (2) Council make provision in its 1991/92 Draft Annual Plan, to levy partial separate rates for road-

ing based on the costs of the two separate sys- . tems to be charged to the areas of benefit that exist, namely: (a)

'North' being Ohura, Taumarunui and National Park Wards and (b) 'South' being Waimarino and Waiouru Wards. Weston explained that his notice of motion was based on figures

available and clearly indicated that there was a case for levying roading rates on an 'area of benefit' basis similar to rating techniques used for water and sewerage rates. Councillor Kirton said_

he hoped his proposal would resolve some of the tension between the 'North and 'South' areas of the district as the figures show a marked disparity between both areas with the South Turnpage2

Split roading rate adopted

Frompagel being disadvantaged. The Northern roading network comprises a total of 923kms compared with the Southern roading network of 319kms. "The North seems to have a roading programme beyond what is desirable and affordable in the present financial situation," said Councillor Kirton. He recommended a reduction of 16% in the roading programme for the northern area. While Councillor Bill Peach said he would support the ihotion, Councillor Doug Bennett said he would oppose it at present for lack of more precise information.

Councillor Joe Murphy acknowledged there were certainly anomalies in the system but he was opposed, in principle, to the concept of differential rating between north and south. Councillor Don Law-i son said that he too was opposed to the motion on the grounds that all ratepayers should pay the same "as the Ruapehu District Council is one district". "If we are truly going to be one district we should start thinking as one district. One district, one rate", he said. Unfairly penalised However, Councillor Stuart Shaw said he would support the motion as the figures show

that the southern area has been unfairly penalised. Councillor Ken Malcolm said he believed there were not two but four or five different roading systems within the district but he would support the motion if any differential system which might be introduced initially is gradually phased out. Councillor Margie Snow said she too would support the motion if the proposed system was an interim one which would be phased out ultimately. At this point Ruapehu District Council General Manager, Cliff Houston said that the integrity of any rating system must be based on whether it is fair and equitable and on the understanding of that concept by all concerned. Councillor Eddie Turley expressed concern about any cut back in the roading programme in the northern area. "It is the most vital system in the area he said and we shouldn't reduce the standards of our roads", he said. However Councillor Graeme Cosford said that Council must reduce the roading programme ion the northern area because "we've clearly been living beyond our means". He too was concerned about the lack of precise comparative figures were not available but would accept the general manager's estimate that

there only could be very minor movement in the figures (if a differential system was introduced). Mayor Garrick Workman acknowledged "we have got a problem which should be addressed as the Ruapehu District Council is committed to the district, both north and south, remaining as a single unit. "We must find a way

of making it (the roading programme and the proposed amendment) seem fair and equitable". The motion was carried on a show of hands seven to four, despite the unavoidable absence of southern area councillors Gould and Vine, and the vote against the motion by southern councillor Doug Bennett.