Differential rating for Ohakune next year

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 22, 22 October 1985, Page 3

Differential rating for Ohakune next year

Bill Taylor, Mayor of Ohakune, has announced that the introduction of differential rating will begin in the borough in 1986.

In a statement released to the press Mr Taylor said differential rating was a response by council to an obvious imbalance in new valuations between residential and commercial properties, and an effort on the part of the council to address the concerns of residential ratepayers at the level of their rates. Information to be sent to ratepayers will include the empowering section of the Local Government Act 1 974, an explanation of the differential rating system and advice on which grouping properties fit into. Four property groups have been decided on by the council: •all residential property which is the permanent and exclusive residence of ratepayers regardless of zone, including vacant land in residential A and B zones, will pay the consolidated rate plus annual charges for water, refuse and sewerage; •residential property that is not the permanent residence of the ratepayer, and residential land with two or more housing units, will pay a probable loading of 30 per cent; •industrial land and residential land with multiple dwellings and ski lodges, probable 50 per cent loading; •all land in commercial A and B zones and land used for commercial purposes in

other zones, probable 100 per cent loading. The Mayor said that a significant majority of properties would fall into the first group which would pay no additional loading on the base rate. Ratepayers have the right to object to classifications of their properties and time will be provided for ratepayers to discuss any questions with council officers.

FORUM

Later in the meeting discussion took place about the possible need for a public forum toallow ratepayers to air their concerns about council spending. Cr Hammond said it was obvious that many ratepayers did not understand what the council had been trying to do despite the best efforts of the Mayor and council. "There are a lot of people out there who would like to make comment," he said. Crs Gould and Horne agreed with Cr Hammond. "The vexed question is always roading and people do need further explanation because ratepayers have a misunderstanding of what we are doing," said Cr Gould. Crs Wiggins and Wright also supported the need for a forum, which they said should include a discussion of differential rating. The Mayor suggested that the idea of a forum should be deferred until next month's meeting while councillors considered the proposal. "Y ou want a wide-ranging

forum on the future of this community and I believe it should be thought about carefully," he said. SUMMER CUTS The Mayor said that his letter to the Minister of Tourism, Mr Mike Moore, protesting about cuts to summer employment programmes, had been passed to the Minister of Lands, Koro Wetere, and was awaiing his return. Mr Taylor encouraged councillors and local people to write similar letters, and he was supported by Cr Wiggins.

COBBLESTONES

During discussion on footpaths Cr Hammond spoke in favour of cobblestones saying they were easier to dig up to get at water and electrical reticulation than concrete paths. "They are economical, practical and aesthetically pleasing," he said. Cr Wright however said the cobbles did not do much for high heels and prams. Cr Wiggins said the Chan family was willing to contribute towards an extension of cobblestones and landscaping between Cedar Mall and Clyde Street. The matter was deferred until the next meeting to get costings and Mr Chan's agreement.

WATER

On the proposed water system Cr Wiggins said engineers were still looking at possible sites and costings. A possible figure might however be $700,000 which was 50 per cent higher than the original estimate. Lined wooden tanks at $140,000 each were suggested as better alternatives than concrete tanks at $270,000. One possibility of paying for the water system might be a once only charge to residents of $500.

TOURISM

The Mayor thanked Ruapehu region representatives on the steering committee: Cr Wiggins, Catherine

Dodd, John Sandford and Duncan Harvey, for their hard work. He said he felt it was a great pity that Wanganui had been excluded and a unified approach not made. "We would have added strength and better funding for a truly professional job," he said.

DISTRICT COUNCIL

Some councillors disagreed that Waimarino was the ideal name for the proposed amalgamated district council. Cr Hammond said Waimarino was important for history but Ruapehu was the future. "We wake up every morning and see it — I think both words should be there to give us a full identity for tourists," he said. Several councillors supported him and the vote that the council support Waimarino District Council as name was lost. A further vote that the Ohakune Borough Council favoured Waimarino-Rua-pehu as the name was passed. ★ ★ ★ A combined meeting of the three councils in the presence of Brian Elwood, chairman of the Local Government Commission, is to be held in the Ohakune Borough Council chambers on 29 October at 5.30pm. ★ ★ ★ Cr Wright read out the Waimarino sports grants and said she thought a woman was needed on the committee to give women's groups more of the money. ★ ★ ★ The Mayor said he was pleased with receipts from the camping ground which were $26,800 for the first six months of the financial year. ★ ★ ★ The Mayor commented that he was pleased with the amount of work the Garden Club did to beautify the town through their efforts to encourage gardeners. "There are many really beautiful gardens in his town," he said.