GST rise would push rates up
GST rise would push rates up
Ratepayers across Otago face the possibility of unscheduled rates hikes within months if the Government confirms plans to lift GST as high as 15%.
Rates
Core costs push rates take to $1b
Core costs push rates take to $1b
The cost of rebuilding New Zealand's core infrastructure - rather than shiny new stadiums or glory projects - is to blame for the country's first $1 billion rates bill, Local Government New Zealand says.
Water services up to $1m over budget
Water services up to $1m over budget
"Taking money from the renewals budget to cover over-expenditure for water services is a major concern", Queenstown Lakes District Council Councillor Cath Gilmour said at a council utilities committee meeting yesterday.
Canterbury Water plan hits rates
Canterbury Water plan hits rates
An overall rates increase of 8.7% is being proposed by Environment Canterbury (ECan) in the 2010-11 draft annual plan the regional council will be asked to adopt tomorrow.
ORC opts for zero rates rise
ORC opts for zero rates rise
No general rate increase is planned by the Otago Regional Council in the coming financial year.
Rates rise should be modest, Mayor says
Rates rise should be modest, Mayor says
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton believes the Waitaki District Council's rates rise for the next year should not exceed the rate of inflation, but he cannot be at a council meeting today to put his case.
Council to consider ways of trimming 6% rates rise
Council to consider ways of trimming 6% rates rise
The Waitaki District Council is about to start the process of setting its rates, considering how to cut back a predicted 6% rates increase for the next financial year.
3.9% rates rise proposed
3.9% rates rise proposed
A 3.9% increase on the Maniototo ward component of rates has been recommended by the Maniototo Community Board.
Plea to defer city projects
Plea to defer city projects
Three of the most expensive capital projects planned by the Dunedin City Council, together costing tens of millions of dollars, could be temporarily shelved in an effort to ease the burden on ratepayers.
Rate rise of 7.3% projected
Rate rise of 7.3% projected
Dunedin ratepayers look set to pay an extra 7.3% in rates for the next financial year, along with increased fees and charges for activities ranging from building a house to burying the dead.
$30,000 cut from rates during estimates meeting
$30,000 cut from rates during estimates meeting
The first round of estimates meetings in the Central Otago district ended positively with a single change to the budget and $30,000 off the rates burden.
Council housing rents set to rise in order to cover increased costs
Council housing rents set to rise in order to cover increased costs
Dunedin's council housing rents are likely to rise later this year by $9 a week for every unit, a rise the Dunedin City Council says is needed to pay for new units being built, increased rates, staff costs and contractor costs.
Operating costs will jump $1.4 million
Operating costs will jump $1.4 million
With the big decisions made, and the borrowing under way, the Dunedin City Council now has to find a way to manage its debt-heavy budget for the next year and beyond.
Cost of dying, other services may rise
Cost of dying, other services may rise
The cost of dying looks set to go up as the Dunedin City Council signals plans to hike a host of fees later this year.
DCC encroachment fee upsets couple
DCC encroachment fee upsets couple
An elderly Dunedin couple are shocked and upset at a demand to start paying an annual rental for their carport, after a discovery it was built partly on a Dunedin City Council road reserve.
Lifestyle property, B&B rates may rise
Lifestyle property, B&B rates may rise
Lifestyle block owners and bed and breakfast establishments face increased rates under changes to Dunedin's rating system, while farmers look set to pay less of the overall rate take during the next nine years.
Some finding it hard to pay rates bills
Some finding it hard to pay rates bills
The amount of Dunedin City Council rates owed from last year has risen slightly, as anecdotal evidence shows some people are struggling to pay.
Rates still unpaid this year are also up marginally.
Warning new information centre could lift rates 5-10%
Warning new information centre could lift rates 5-10%
A decision by the Central Otago District Council's district development committee to relocate Cromwell's information centre could add an extra 5-10% to rates in the Cromwell ward, Cromwell Community Board chairman Neil Gillespie warns.
Survey about council
Survey about council
Over the next three weeks, Clutha residents will be asked to rate the Clutha District Council's performance.
Ratepayers' group signals change
Ratepayers' group signals change
After fighting back from the brink of extinction, the Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association is heading in a new direction, which may include supporting its own candidates in next year's local body elections.