Federated Farmers Feedback on South Taranaki District Council Annual Plan 2017-18
Federated Farmers understands that consultation with regards to the developing Long Term Plan 2018-28 is an ongoing process. Given the importance of this plan, Federated Farmers will take up any opportunities to engage with Council on this, as and when appropriate over the course of the year. Council’s use of the UAGC and general rates, as well as related Revenue and Financing Policies are of particular interest to us.
As regards this year’s Plan, we support all three proposals –
-Reducing the District rate increase from 2.88 to 2.02%
-Increasing Normanby Hall user fees by 10%
-Increasing cemetery user fees by 10%.
We are pleased to note that all three proposals will result in lower rates and thank Council for their continued efforts to contain expenditure and keep rates low. We are also pleased to see that rates for rural properties (at an average of 1 – 1.5%) are proposed to increase less than the District average, due to rural properties not being subject to charges for urban water and waste services. As Council will know, rates are a significant cost to most farmers. The reduction in proposed rate increases is particularly appreciated, coming as it does after property revaluations, which resulted in significant rates increases for many last year.
For more information, please see the full submission