NoMoreRates.com

THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO REFORM THE COUNCIL RATING SYSTEM

Media release 26 June 2008

Nelson City Council 12/% rates increase outrageous.

Government and Council must act urgently on Rates Inquiry recommendations.

Statement from David Thornton [Founder/Organiser NoMoreRates]

The decision this morning by Nelson City Council to approve a rates increase of 11.95% will be a crippling blow to those on low and fixed incomes in the Nelson area.

Beneficiaries and superannuitants will be significantly hit – but this increase is almost three times the rate of inflation and will hurt a wide range of ratepayers.

This level of increase is totally unjustifiable at a time when household costs on necessities are hitting everyone.

Even worse is the fact that the 11.95% is the average rate increase which means that some ratepayers will be facing a much higher percentage increase.

This average increase amounts to about $200 a year for Nelson ratepayers – but the Government’s recent increase in the rates rebate is only $30. So no real help there.

Most councils across the country are managing to hold rates increases to between 5% -6%.

However most councils are saying that, while they are holding increases down this year, they are forecasting much higher increases next year.

I am now urging the Government and all councils to urgently address the 96 recommendations from last years Independent Rates Inquiry and to make changes to the present rating system which is unfair, and rapidly becoming unaffordable, to an increasing number of ratepayers.

ends

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