Councillors this week confirmed a 27% general rates rise.
The Buller District Council is forecasting a 14.6% increase, Grey District Council 13%, and Westland District Council yesterday rubber-stamped an average increase of 18.8%.
"Due to either an inability, or unwillingness, to find savings within its own operations, councils continue to burden ratepayers with unreasonable hikes during a cost-of-living crisis. Any increase to rates above the level of inflation is unacceptable," Taxpayers’ Union local government campaigns manager Sam Warren said.
"The West Coast Regional Council is no exception. According to our most recent Ratepayers’ Report, the average salary for managers is $130,000, with about 20% of all FTE staff being paid over six-figures.
"West Coast’s excessive rate hikes are due to an increase in operational expenses, some areas being more avoidable than others.
"Households up and down New Zealand are tightening their belts and doing more with less, so why not councils as well?"
Council chairman Peter Haddock said the regional council in past years had been under-rating. It had also been reliant on consultants.
It had now been rebuilt and was also embarking on major flood walls in Franz Josef and Hokitika, and raising the height of the Greymouth flood wall. Westport would be next, with all planning work done in-house.
While the flood walls were co-funded, there was still a cost to ratepayers.
Mr Haddock said there was probably no other region in New Zealand where all the main towns had major flood walls.
"That’s reflected in rates."
The council also had to pay for the combined district plan, Te Tai o Poutini Plan.
But compared to district council rates, regional council rates were quite low, Cr Haddock said. — The Greymouth Star
