Councils Chilled by Luxon's Surprise U-Turn to Cap User Charges, as Well as Rates

Govt to cap council rates increases at 4% – but no cap on water rates

News from NZ Government Council rates increases will be capped at 4 per cent as the Government moves to help keep rates affordable for households and businesses, “For too long, ratepayers have been hit with steep and unexpected rates increases, adding pressure to household budgets at a time many New Zealanders are already feeling the […]

Government moves ahead with cap on council rates increases

The Government has confirmed it will cap council rates increases at 4%, with a minimum of 2% each year.

Councils chilled by Luxon's surprise u-turn to cap user charges, as well as rates

When temperatures plunge below zero as they have in the past week, the gas and power bills for Central Otago District Council go up. Mayor Tamah Alley says the Cromwell pool, alone, costs $220,000 a year to heat – that will be a decent chunk of the district’s 6.34 percent average rates rise this year. With the shift of water services to a multi-council company, Central Otago will be left with just $43 million in rates revenues – so Alley argues …

Government to cap rates

Council rates increases will be capped at 4 per cent as the Government moves to help keep rates affordable for households and businesses, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “For too long, ratepayers have been hit with steep and unexpected rates increases, adding pressure to household budgets at a time many New Zealanders are already feeling the squeeze,” Mr Watts says. “Our Government is focused on easing cost-of-living pressures and ge…

Government moves to cap council rates increases as 'a brake on excessive increases'

Local Government Minister Simon Watts says government capping annual council rate increases at 4%, but will only be passed after the election