Submission

Federated Farmers Submission for Hawkes Bay Regional Council Long Term Plan

Federated Farmers has lodged a submission calling Hawkes Bay Regional Council’s 19% rates rise as excessive. 

The 19% figure is an average increase for ratepayers’ bills, so farmers are experiencing much higher increases. 

Hearings are scheduled for 22-24 May. 
 

Summary of our Submissions

  1. Federated Farmers supports the online rates calculator and the posting of the Summary Document out to ratepayers to stimulate robust and informed consultation.
  2. The consultation documents need to report how the proposed rates will change over the 10-year life of the Plan, not just the changes for year one.
  3. Federated Farmers urges the Council to view farming as an asset that needs to be protected so we can provide for our own food security, rather than as a threat to the environment.
  4. The increases to the General Rate proposed by the draft LTP are excessive, and need to be reined in to be closer CPI inflation at 2%
  5. That funding for equal benefit activities such as Governance and Community Engagement is shifted onto the UAGC as much as possible.
  6. That the table starting on page 18 of the Funding Impact Statement shows how the general rate has changed from last year, and how it will change over the 10-year life of the LTP.
  7. Federated Farmers opposes the use of the general rate to fund the environmental kick start projects because it is inequitable as the projects are very localised and the work is not linked to land value.
  8. That the Council continues to report what the UAGC is compared to the 30% legislative maximum, but also shows how this was calculated.
  9. That the Governance and Community Engagement activity is shifted off the general rate and fully funded by the UAGC, as there is no link between how much your property is worth and how much representation or engagement you receive.
  10. That the rates funding model for pest and weed control activities includes seeking funding from the wider regional ratepayers as a general public good and not just farmers.
  11. That a hybrid pest management rates model with a flat fee for small <4ha properties is introduced alongside the area-based rate for larger properties, to ensure the amount sought from smaller properties remains financially viable for Council to collect.
  12. Federated Farmers is unconvinced of the merits of the Future Farming Fund, as it appears to be costly duplication of, or even  in conflict with, existing levy body research and development activities.  More information is required as to what the Future Farming Fund entails before funding is collected off ratepayers.