The Otago Regional Council has adopted its annual plan for the 2010-11 year and the resulting rating resolution which was described by corporate services director Wayne Scott as mostly "business as usual".
The Dunedin City Council's rates were officially set for the year yesterday, with a 5.5% overall increase.
Central Otago ratepayers who get in early can avoid the coming rise in GST.
Matakanui Station owner Andrew Paterson gets little in return for the $10,300 he pays in Central Otago District Council rates, he told the council yesterday.
Being able to keep general rates from rising and reduce the Dunedin transport rate while still being able to support new walking track projects deserves a slap on the back for the Otago Regional Council, chairman Stephen Cairns says.
Councils across Otago seem about to increase their rates more than forecast to offset the cost of a rise in GST.
In an unusual request, a group representing Oamaru businesses has asked the Waitaki District Council not to lower their rates.
Four Dunedin bed and breakfast operators will not get a reprieve from a sudden switch to more expensive commercial rates, the Dunedin City Council has decided.
Ratepayers face only a small increase in rates - 2.65% - next financial year over what the Waitaki District Council projected in its 2010-11 draft
Dunedin ratepayers were granted $1.76 million in rates rebates in the financial year to the end of April, with the vast majority of applicants successful in their applications.
Ratepayers who get in quick could dodge a larger-than-forecast rise in Dunedin City Council rates expected to be confirmed next week.
If the council decided to add all submitted requests, the rates rise would increase to 2.43%.
Some farmers upset by a big rise in rates they may have to pay the Waitaki District Council are winning support from Federated Farmers.
Rates look to be on the rise again, following yesterday's Dunedin City Council annual plan deliberations.
During the next 10 days, Queenstown Lakes district residents have the chance to have their say on how the council should prioritise its work and spending over the next 12 months. Henrietta Kjaer takes a look at some of the main issues in the QLDC's draft annual plan.
A promised review of the rating classifications of the Taieri flood and drainage works will begin with an economic assessment of the schemes.
The Central Otago District Council's district rate take for the 2010-11 financial year is estimated to be $20.4 million - an increase on the past year of $1.35 million (7%).
Farmers facing big rate rises because of increases in their property values were notable by their absence at a Waitaki District Council draft annual plan meeting at Five Forks last night.
Waitaki District Council staff and councillors outnumbered the public last night at the first of four public meetings to outline the council's draft annual plan and rates for the next financial year.
Rates for the Queenstown Lakes District are set to rise by an average of 7.95% but Cr Vanessa van Uden says she will vote against the increase when the council meets in Wanaka on Tuesday to adopt the draft annual plan.
