Displeasure at proposed rates rise

Up to $20 million could be spent connecting Dunedin’s city centre and harbourside with a walking and cycling bridge under the draft 10-year plan. Graphic: Animation Research

The Dunedin City Council might have a hard time selling its vision for the city’s future based on some of the feedback to its draft 10-year plan, released yesterday.

On social media people have voiced their displeasure at a potential 6.9% rates rise proposed for next year and in an online poll conducted by the Otago Daily Time only 32% of people were happy to pay more to invest in the city’s future and infrastructure.

On Facebook, Karen de Beer said everyone else had to live within a budget so why not the council. Pat Abbot said it was a bit tough on those with a fixed income but years of under investment in core services and wish lists would now catch up with ratepayers.

Others thought the council was heading in the right direction and supported the proposal to spend and borrow more.

Andy Webber said if people wanted Dunedin to move forward rates needed to increase. Josh Livingstone said there would be no waterfront redevelopment unless some money was put forward to to pay for it.

2 Comments

Comments

because_science Sat, 09/12/2017 - 8:29am #

I don't understand why people are unhappy about this? Most towns/cities in NZ are having much higher rates increases this year than in Dunedin. We are wanting DCC to invest in better infrastructure and fix problems to do with flooding etc but not prepared to pay for it? I think theres a bit of a double standard there. Go for it DCC, I am happy to pay to have my services improved!

The Observer Sat, 09/12/2017 - 2:08pm #

because science -

You are incorrect and making assertions with no facts - prove what you are saying. Hawke's Bay had a major decrease last years and no raise in sight. The decrease was because it was decided to allow parking to be paid for as you go by meter.