LTCCP submissions summarised
TDC’s Long-Term Council Community Plan attracted plenty of submissions from Golden Bay people and organisations. The GB Weekly has selected the following representative sample. No individual submitters have been identified, but some organisations have been. The name of the organisation follows their submission.
Tourism targeted rate
“Tourism is not the only industry that is supported by general rates: Animal Pest Management receives $212,000 per year from TDC for the control of possums, primarily for the benefit of the dairy industry.”
“If I am to be charged a rate I will not provide any accommodation. I cannot afford it. I know of many other people in a similar situation, some of whom have received notification of the rate and others who have not.”
“Targeted rates are already in place by way of pan tax, liquor licences, health certificates, resource consent, water dispersal permits and development contributions amounting to thousands of dollars (unlike private holiday home suppliers).”
“I agree in principle with targeted rates, but this current proposal appears ill-conceived and rushed.”
“The proposed split rate is too high, and is arbitrary and inequitable. From our observations, existing destination marketing undertaken by Nelson Tasman Tourism is heavily focused on the “Nelson” element (eg Nelson Spring). If the rate is to be gathered across the region, then there will need to be better attention given to promoting the other parts of the region.”
“If the tourism rate is not applied and the resultant funding is not available the flow-on effect does not bear thinking about. “
“Many of these concerns could be alleviated by including more businesses. Rented holiday homes is just one sector which anecdotally at least is under-represented at the moment.”
“All people benefit from tourism in some ways – so maybe it could be part of the general rate.”
“Whilst not opposed to a targeted rate in principle, we believe the proposed structure doesn’t fulfill the council’s stated criteria of the tax being “fair and equitable”.” [GB Promotions Association]
“Targeted rates must be used, though I notice that the bus and proposed transport system Richmond/Nelson is not a targeted rate and it certainly should be. The people who benefit need to pay. ‘User pays’, remember.”
“The present proposal is not supported because it is inequitable. Funding for and accountability for the promotional budget should be the responsibility of Latitude Nelson itself to collect from their operators and members.” [GB Community Board]
Broadband
“Golden Bay would be much better served by TDC if it worked to ensure quality broadband for the Bay so the Plan can download in a reasonable timeframe.”
Port Tarakohe
“No publicly available information about the future for Port Tarakohe, without which council’s optimism has little credibility.”
“I would like to see funds available for the development of Port Tarakohe. This wonderful facility should be allowed to reach full potential.”
“Support proposals. The proposed marina and replacement wharf need to be self-funding.” [GB Community Board]
“Council should start immediately on replacing the old wooden wharf at Tarakohe for safety and good work practice for loading and unloading fish products in a ‘good safe’ environment.”
Community facility
“Concept study to be precisely defined by advocates or others (not TDC) before any more ratepayer funds expended.”
“$3.4 million for a facility in Takaka is unwarranted and unnecessary. We have a large number of halls that need a little bit of money spent on them and they form the hub of little communities.”
“Oppose the multi-purpose facility in Golden Bay but support upgrades to the existing large halls in Collingwood, Pohara and Park Avenue.”
“I believe that a facility of the magnitude suggested is unnecessary now and in the foreseeable future. Better to spend some time and money prioritising and upgrading existing facilities.”
“It is wonderful that Golden Bay can look forward to having $3.2 million spent on a community facility.”
Tata Beach and Patons Rock UDAs
“Request the council to consider a property flat rate that is economical to those that are in UDAs and not based on capital value.”
“We are concerned in the way this UDA levy has been imposed on this community and we ask for it to be removed until the community has a clear understanding of the full implications of the projects’ costs, time frame, level of contributions and the structure of the levy on all properties in the wider area.”
Socio-economic and demographic study
“It is increasingly urgent, given the economic downturn.”
Rates
“Rates on our Collingwood property have increased by 82% in the last five years. Allowing for inflation, this is 65% in “real terms”.”
“I would like the council to rein in the expenditure overall and instead of rate rises, achieve rate reductions.”
“The escalating budget is irresponsible and will prevent low income earners in Golden Bay being able to afford to pay their rates.”
“Recent seasons have seen increased costs leveraged to our farm business, particularly interest rates, fertiliser, employment and fuel. Recent valuations have seen increases from 10% to 46% over the properties, an average valuation increase of 33%. Indications are that this will also cause serious rate increases, in addition to the projected annual increases. Our business simply cannot continue to sustain increases of this magnitude. As we face an uncertain season we have been forced to reduce development and employment levels; further reduced spending will also impact on local businesses. Against this economic climate the council must economise on all areas of spending and resist passing on extra expenses to ratepayers, this includes staffing levels and costs associated with employment.”
“I would like to see a commitment that rates increases will not be more than the cost of living increase.”
“Please bring the uniform Annual General Charge up to the 30% cap imposed – this is a “user pays” system after all.”
“Rates as outlined in the Draft Ten Year Plan 2009-2019 are unaffordable for those living on low fixed incomes, such as National Superannuation or a benefit.” [Grey Power GB Inc]
Debt
“I would have thought it would be more prudent for council to consolidate its debt over the next 10 years rather than increasing debt 7.5 fold – from $108 million to $276 million.”
“More than doubling our current collective debt liability from $108 million to $276 million (approx) is alarming. I believe it financially irresponsible to saddle ratepayers for this amount and ask TDC to strongly reconsider.”
“We appeal to council to slash current spending and resist extra spending on wish list items. We simply cannot afford them.”
“I am strongly opposed to the council’s proposal to increase its spending next year by 17.7%.”
Recycling
“In the new scheme there is no incentive to reduce waste. Now more rubbish means more cost. I can drive my present bin the 300m to our pickup point. At 75+ I can’t wheel multiple bins, nor can hundreds of others in my situation. I can’t reduce or reuse any more than I do. My rubbish seldom goes out less than fortnightly, so under the new scheme it will be monthly. For this I will pay 4.3 times as much.”
“I would support the three bin system and would like it brought forward. The account, however, doesn’t show any savings from reduction of waste to land fill or the increased sale of recyclable materials.”
“We efficiently process our rubbish lines and use the Collingwood Collection Centre about four times a year. For ourselves, any increase in equipment, and most certainly in cost to us, would be a total loss. We oppose any expansion of the TDC rubbish services to residents such as ourselves.”
“Increasing the cost from $125 to $430 is not acceptable and does not indicate improved efficiency. Need to go back to the drawing boards on this one.”
Water supply
“Construction of a new water supply serving Tata Beach should be removed from the plan. No need has been identified by residents.”
“We still have a subsidy going from general rates to a water scheme. Why? Why is the sum increasing?”
Fire-fighting water supply
“For the Takaka fire-fighting water supply but against Collingwood residents being targeted.”
“Possibly essential, but the result of poor maintenance.”
Storm water
“Commercial Street, Takaka needs action now not deferment.” [GB Community Board]
“This is a disaster now and has been ever since I’ve lived in Golden Bay, which is 24 years.”
Waste-water treatment upgrade
“Fairly urgent. Will the work planned actually solve the problems of the scheme? (I have seen the Primary School sewage pump replaced this year; we still experience clouds of fumes and at times have gas bubbling up toilets!)”
Projects for Takaka settlement area
“Where are projects that will stimulate short and long-term employment opportunities in the district resulting in financial benefit to the district?”
More comments in the next GB Weekly
