The Local Body Rates Heist thread

[nztx]

All across the Land, Local Body sacred cows have proliferated under the watch of
Labour's Clark Government and subsequently


Lets look at the extent of the Rip-A-Rate and vast increases coming through from
these sacred and in some instances inefficient cows with their straws out attached
to ratepayer pockets.. on a myriad of excuses intent on sucking out more hard earned
than they did in previous 12 months' sittings playing the same games..


These curious beasties have their own unique form of elected representation,
which in many instances usually sees a band of bods duly elected who in most
cases achieve very little change for their durations, with management of the
empire delegated to another raft of papershufflers & bureaucrats resident deep
in the guts of the beastie beyond any form of touch

[nztx]

WAIKATO:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/hamilton-city-council-to-propose-63b-spend-dramatic-rates-rises-over-10-years/G6N5GF4NCBBDXHKVUS3BXFSETA/


Hamilton City Council to propose $6.3b spend, ‘dramatic’ rates rises over 10 years



At its next full meeting, Hamilton City Council will propose a budget of $6.3 billion to keep the city running for the next 10 years.

To “balance the books”, the council said it would need to increase rates by an average of 19.9 per cent - $11 per week - in the next financial year.

This would be followed by an average 15.5 per cent in rates rises each financial year to 2029, a 9 per cent increase in 2029/30 and 5 per cent rates rises each year after that to 2034.

Meanwhile, properties with a pool are in for an even higher targeted rates rise next financial year: an increase of 22.3 per cent.

The council’s billion-dollar budget, and the proposed rates increases, were revealed in a draft 2024-34 Long Term Plan consultation document attached to Thursday’s full council meeting agenda, where elected members will vote to approve the document and its “underlying information”.

According to the draft consultation document, “rates have not kept up” with increasing costs and the council has been “using the city’s mortgage” to build new roads, buy land for community assets, invest in residential and industrial land and roll out free rubbish and recycling collection services.


You poor unfortunate sods up in the Waikato - even more so if you have one of those deep holes in the ground out back filled with water for an occasional dip - you going to really attract extra extraction attention from your friendly local pocket lightening Raters & Rippers .. "To Balance the Books" :)

[Joshuatree]

Blame on the Cannibal Collective robbing Mary to pay Paul.Water infra the big one,councils will have to carry the debt.Bring back Three Waters ,with a few tweaks.

[Daytr]

The biggest issue is lack of Central Government . NZ has one of the lowest rates in the OECD of redistribution of Central Government revenue to regional government. Last I looked it was around 11%, it used to be over 18%.

In the meantime Central Government keeps asking Councils to perform more tasks without additional funding. It's a cunning ploy by Wellington as it forces Councils to raise rates, instead of Central Government raising taxes.

Central Government could at least give Councils back the GST collected on rates.

[nztx]

The biggest issue is lack of Central Government . NZ has one of the lowest rates in the OECD of redistribution of Central Government revenue to regional government. Last I looked it was around 11%, it used to be over 18%.

In the meantime Central Government keeps asking Councils to perform more tasks without additional funding. It's a cunning ploy by Wellington as it forces Councils to raise rates, instead of Central Government raising taxes.

Central Government could at least give Councils back the GST collected on rates.



they sound like a prosperous not so little huddle as it is sucking in the billions out of pockets of the hardworking,, no increase too large to hit the victims even harder for any excuse ;)


And you want more of the bureaucratic bullcr#p & empire building on a local level all delivering their own spin on localised incompetence & Fk-ups ilike have been seen in recent times up & down the land ? ;)

Just check out all the cyclone excuses covering for non response & other failures etc etc in some areas :)

Probably worthy of short leashes to keep them in order and headed in the right direction :)

[iceman]

Blame on the Cannibal Collective robbing Mary to pay Paul.Water infra the big one,councils will have to carry the debt.Bring back Three Waters ,with a few tweaks.

Here in Nelson our rates are going up on average 7.2%. A chunk of that is for 3-waters infrastructure expenditure, which by the way is in good condition, but it has always been a significant part of Council's expenditure. After all it is their core job. Most of the rates increase is due to hugely increased interest rates bill on the NCC debt, thanks to our stubborn and high inflation after the last few years crazy Government wasteful expenditure. Some of it is also due to the NCC's decision to continue with careful community investment rather than a big austerity budget.
None of it has anything to do with the Coalition Government.

[Daytr]

they sound like a prosperous not so little huddle as it is sucking in the billions out of pockets of the hardworking,, no increase too large to hit the victims even harder for any excuse ;)


And you want more of the bureaucratic bullcr#p & empire building on a local level all delivering their own spin on localised incompetence & Fk-ups ilike have been seen in recent times up & down the land ? ;)

Just check out all the cyclone excuses covering for non response & other failures etc etc in some areas :)

Probably worthy of short leashes to keep them in order and headed in the right direction :)

So are you advocating for centralization?
Sounds like three waters would be right up your alley?
Local councils could improve their efficiency dramatically no doubt. However from what I see much of their bureaucracy is due to conforming to statutory requirements set by Central Government. The amount of consulting they have to perform just to get anything done is ridiculous.

Also the amount of time & effort Councils have to spend on getting funding for projects or maintaining existing infrastructure is also ridiculous. Councils should have sufficient funding to operate without having to beg for it.

[Ricky-bobby]

Here in Nelson our rates are going up on average 7.2%. A chunk of that is for 3-waters infrastructure expenditure, which by the way is in good condition, but it has always been a significant part of Council's expenditure. After all it is their core job. Most of the rates increase is due to hugely increased interest rates bill on the NCC debt, thanks to our stubborn and high inflation after the last few years crazy Government wasteful expenditure. Some of it is also due to the NCC's decision to continue with careful community investment rather than a big austerity budget.
None of it has anything to do with the Coalition Government.

Same here in good old Blenheim… our water infrastructure is pretty good. Again we were lumped with 3 waters stuff when ours is in good shape, such a waste of money. Bit jealous of ur shiny new dam tho!! Now that was a good investment.

[iceman]

Same here in good old Blenheim… our water infrastructure is pretty good. Again we were lumped with 3 waters stuff when ours is in good shape, such a waste of money. Bit jealous of ur shiny new dam tho!! Now that was a good investment.
Labour wanted to dump us into 3 Waters with Wellington to pay for their pathetic infrastructure management. Good riddance.
You’re not wrong about the Waimea Dam. It’s a game changer for wineries (and everyone else) around the Tasman . I hope the Government will make dam building around the country, (Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, southern Hawkes Bay, Gisborne for example) part of their fast track projects. It’s ridiculous that we as an agricultural country, go through regular droughts while we let 85% of our rain water flow out to sea.

[nztx]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350212244/napier-ratepayers-face-highest-ever-rate-rise

Napier ratepayers face highest ever rate rise


Napier ratepayers are looking at the highest ever proposed rates rise, of 23.7%, due in large part to the need to improve ageing infrastructure.

Napier City councillors on Thursday signed off on consulting on the proposed increase, which Mayor Kirsten Wise noted was originally going to be 43%.


Holy $h*t -- Wise Woman say "Shove that in your Art Deco pipes and suck it up like you Napier
peasants are really enjoying getting a right royal Local Body beating & fleecing" ;)


But it could have been a whole lot worse .. like a jaw stopping Arty Farty 43% instead :)


bound to be back for the rest and then a further large increment ontop next year ;)


These Rate & fee gathering Local Body cretins don't go away for long do they ? ;)


So why hasn't the infrastructure been improved updated previously already ?
The Council been asleep all this time hoping the issue would go away or solve itself
instead of morphing into something larger & more expensive ?

Sounds like there has been some really hopeless infrastructure management & planning going on across many Local Bodies for some time to have not provided for this over remaining life of the assets .. Not Brain Science is it - but commonsense ..

So borrowing levels don't look too bad for NCC - why aren't they borrowing instead - spreading the p&i cost forward over projected economic life, like most every other Council ? Too hard, Too hopeless or what ? :)


At this rate Napier are going with their Increases, everythink will be in grave danger of being made extinct not only on the foreshore but all round Mayor Wises' little fifedom of large local body butterfly nets hard at work capturing visible signs of life & prosperity all around, in record time :)


Who knows - if NCC get too rates hungry with their extortionate increases, there might be no-one or very few who want or can afford to even be around Wises' little enclave near the Hill at the end of the Spit ;)


When are the next Local Body elections again to cleanse the Napier empire of this extortionate unfriendly pocket-plundering mob of Local Govt bureaucrats, bleeding the fifedom dry ?


For those who have suddenly developed a Rates allergy worse than than the local sea spray in an economic storm while fenced in on the Hill & Spit - don't tell anyone but there might be a more economic solution just down the road a safe distance from the NCC hairy arm & plumes of sea spray - where the annual fare isn't quite at the NCC grand impost of both arms & three legs and rapidly advancing on a shoulder every year ;)

[Daytr]

Labour wanted to dump us into 3 Waters with Wellington to pay for their pathetic infrastructure management. Good riddance.
You’re not wrong about the Waimea Dam. It’s a game changer for wineries (and everyone else) around the Tasman . I hope the Government will make dam building around the country, (Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, southern Hawkes Bay, Gisborne for example) part of their fast track projects. It’s ridiculous that we as an agricultural country, go through regular droughts while we let 85% of our rain water flow out to sea.

Iceman, that's a very simplistic way to look at our rivers. Healthy rivers is an important part of the ecology and so is the flow into the sea. We already have a major issue with nitrates in our water tables & water ways.

Dairy / beef conversions of what were previous sheep farms have only been possible due to irrigation. Many of these areas aren't suitable for cows and we need to learn to work with nature not against it.

[nztx]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/kaipara-pensioners-risk-having-to-sell-homes-due-to-rates-hike-community-leader/EMN2WUC5TJDM7I6EEHHIMTGOBA/

Kaipara pensioners risk having to sell homes due to rates hike - community leader



Kaipara pensioners may have to look at selling their homes if the council’s proposed 18.3 per cent rates rise goes ahead, community leader and long-time council watcher Dot Gorrie says.

Kaipara District Council (KDC) proposed rates are, at present, the highest for Northland for 2024/2025.

Mamaranui’s Gorrie said the council’s record rates rise would risk pensioners having to look “pretty seriously” at whether they could stay in their homes.

Pensioners, who were on fixed incomes, could have to look at downsizing to a more affordable property, she said.

The council watcher of almost 30 years described KDC’s early-stage proposed rates rise as scary.

“I’m shocked, thank goodness I am sitting down,” Gorrie said when told the figures by Local Democracy Reporting Northland.

“For people on a fixed income, it’s getting beyond a joke.”

She said it was getting to the stage where people could not afford to pay their rates.



Absolutely disgusting state of Affairs coming out of this Northland Council's rate hikes and this will be only the tip of the iceberg on those unable to afford annually hiked up rates - bound to be a lot more - not just pensioners in a similar position.

[Getty]

Getting rid of the orange cone mob will save a few ice-creams.

Cutting staff is another.

Despite rubbish collection and potholes, engineering services etc all being contracted out, last time l checked Hastings DC had 360 staff, probably more post cyclone.

What happens is that they then look for new projects to do to look occupied, so its not only the wage bill, but the unnecessary project cost.

Ratepayers are the meal ticket and ATM.

You don't have the option of shopping elsewhere do you?

[Daytr]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/kaipara-pensioners-risk-having-to-sell-homes-due-to-rates-hike-community-leader/EMN2WUC5TJDM7I6EEHHIMTGOBA/

Kaipara pensioners risk having to sell homes due to rates hike - community leader






Absolutely disgusting state of Affairs coming out of this Northland Council's rate hikes and this will be only the tip of the iceberg on those unable to afford annually hiked up rates - bound to be a lot more - not just pensioners in a similar position.

One of the main reasons is Kaipara and other Councils are still strapped with debt relating to three waters infrastructure. The cancelation of Three Waters by the new Government with no alternative in place has left Councils little choice.

100 day plan, can that, cancel this... mostly I agree with the cancelations or I would if the NAFT had an alternative plan.

They have said the would get rid of Three Waters for years, but didn't come up with their own plan?

What were they doing with all that time in opposition?

[nztx]

One of the main reasons is Kaipara and other Councils are still strapped with debt relating to three waters infrastructure. The cancelation of Three Waters by the new Government with no alternative in place has left Councils little choice.

100 day plan, can that, cancel this... mostly I agree with the cancelations or I would if the NAFT had an alternative plan.

They have said the would get rid of Three Waters for years, but didn't come up with their own plan?

What were they doing with all that time in opposition?



You'd think Labours flagship 'Three Idiots on Water' would have been a ripping success from accounts of some, but alas even the Local Body empires weren't overly eager to lap it up either even with Labour's carrot danging exercise trying to bribe all into being roped in ;)

The odd Local Body empire or two scored a pay out, and like the cat who scored the cream went out and blew it on any old thing that sailed before their eyes :)

Had to be a reason why the 3 Waters was loved so well that almost everyone across the land hated Labour for it, with Labour & the Sheila (who rode in from the back blocks with it, but couldn't get her lines right without amending the very next day) all got driven out of town over it and other failures ;)

It looks like the current Govt were doing more than what the last Labour Govt were failing at - in even trying to push flawed initiatives towards the line . Probably explains the vast carnage of Portfolios & Projects all sitting in various stages of disrepair and destruction when Joe Public finally sent the clueless huddle off down the road :)

[Daytr]

You'd think Labours flagship 'Three Idiots on Water' would have been a ripping success from accounts of some, but alas even the Local Body empires weren't overly eager to lap it up either even with Labour's carrot danging exercise trying to bribe all into being roped in ;)

The odd Local Body empire or two scored a pay out, and like the cat who scored the cream went out and blew it on any old thing that sailed before their eyes :)

Had to be a reason why the 3 Waters was loved so well that almost everyone across the land hated Labour for it, with Labour & the Sheila (who rode in from the back blocks with it, but couldn't get her lines right without amending the very next day) all got driven out of town over it and other failures ;)

It looks like the current Govt were doing more than what the last Labour Govt were failing at - in even trying to push flawed initiatives towards the line . Probably explains the vast carnage of Portfolios & Projects all sitting in various stages of disrepair and destruction when Joe Public finally sent the clueless huddle off down the road :)

Lets keep it simple, all I want to see is the Government's alternative to three waters.
They sat in opposition for years saying they would reverse three waters & I was all for that, as long as they had their own plan.
The status quo is what got us to where we are now, in dire straits.

How can they not have a plan after all these years?

[nztx]

Lets keep it simple, all I want to see is the Government's alternative to three waters.
They sat in opposition for years saying they would reverse three waters & I was all for that, as long as they had their own plan.
The status quo is what got us to where we are now, in dire straits.

How can they not have a plan after all these years?


How could the Local Bodies huddle have got themselves in such a shocking mismanaged mess at this point
after how long being custodian of these things ? ;)

Three Waters is nothing more than a fudged attempt by Labour to land the responsibility for the mess
into the laps of the Taxpayer & in process created an even larger unholy shambles ;)

That is what the clueless incompetent Labour Minister trying to shove this through actually achieved
and no wonder .. what did she honestly expect ? ;)

[Daytr]

How could the Local Bodies huddle have got themselves in such a shocking mismanaged mess at this point
after how long being custodian of these things ? ;)

Three Waters is nothing more than a fudged attempt by Labour to land the responsibility for the mess
into the laps of the Taxpayer & in process created an even larger unholy shambles ;)

That is what the clueless incompetent Labour Minister trying to shove this through actually achieved
and no wonder .. what did she honestly expect ? ;)

You ask how? Already answered above.
Chronic under funding by Central Government for decades.

I wasn't a fan of Three Waters like most people weren't, but it doesn't mean after years of moaning about it National shouldn't have had an alternative. Apparently 14Bln on motorways is more important than water infrastructure.

I really don't know why they don't just consolidate the Three Waters under a structure that already exists,.being Regional Councils. It still keeps it local but also consolidates to give a sizeable balance sheet & scale.
Central Government has to come to the party on funding. They could at least give Councils the GST they collect on rates.

[nztx]

Local Body Robbers at it again:

Hauraki rates and fees could rise 40 per cent in three years


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/hauraki-district-council-rates-and-fees-to-rise-dramatically-to-cover-costs/6VI4U6O3PFHCXLAB45R2ZNLJUE/


Hauraki District Council rates and fees to rise dramatically to cover costs



Hauraki ratepayers face significant rates and fees hikes as the cost of living continues to bite.

Hauraki District Council has released its consultation document for the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan following a council meeting on March 13.

It comes with a long list of fee increases and a proposed rates hike of more than 17 per cent.

A spokesperson for the council said increased fees “can be a combination of increased compliance costs, new legislation or cost of service delivery”.

The spokesperson also confirmed an accompanying document Love This Place had been read and accepted by councillors without objection.

The document gave a breakdown of rates (non-water) and fee increases, more notably a 17.4 per cent increase in 2024/25, per property rates, followed by 12.3 per cent in 2025/26 and 9.2 per cent in 2026/27.



"Love this Place" should be renamed ..


how about -


"Love these Local Govt Money-grabbing Pr!cks who regard everyone as their ATM to rob & fleece at will " ? ;)

[nztx]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/napier-rates-to-be-hiked-100-on-some-hill-streets-and-the-cyclone-is-to-blame/3PHG44JWWFG4DNCLCAOC7354IA/

Napier rates climb 100pc on some hill streets, and Cyclone Gabrielle is to blame



Paywallllled


You move higher - we hike the Rates GRAB higher ;)


Napier City Council really knows how to ramp up the pain on the poor captive peasants within it's territory ;)

Might be cheaper moving just down the road outside NCC Rate Hike boundaries - Napierites - the next County doesn't sting quite as hard as the NCC Local Body beavers imposing a grand price of at least 3 legs and 2 arms :)