Rate rises attacked
By GRANT MILLER - Manawatu Standard | Thursday, 16 August 2007
It hardly matters if Palmerston North is rated on land value or capital value - the city council needs to rein in its reckless spending to stop rates going up, said property developer Brian Green.
It makes it harder to attract or retain businesses in Manawatu when their costs keep rising, he said.
Large but uneven rises in land values have had a huge effect on rates bills this year, hitting Palmerston North's industrial sector particularly hard.
However, many businesses in the central city have had rates decreases.
The volatility has added fuel to a call for capital-value rating, which is seen as better reflecting ability to pay. The council is planning to review the rating system after local body elections this year.
However, city engineer Les Baty is leading a deputation to the council's finance and economic committee meeting on Monday, protesting rate increases for businesses.
If the delegation is unhappy with the council's response "then we will go to war on this", he said.
Mr Baty said capital-value rating won't solve the problem.
Contractor Larry Carne is also leading a deputation on commercial rates in Roxburgh Crescent.
