Tuesday, 07 May 2024 12:55

Council urged to delay rate hikes

Written by  Nigel Malthus
Hugh Gardyne, chair of the Mataura Catchment Liaison Committee says farmers simply can’t afford the proposed rate hikes. Hugh Gardyne, chair of the Mataura Catchment Liaison Committee says farmers simply can’t afford the proposed rate hikes.

A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.

Under its proposed Long-Term Plan (LTP), Environment Southland (ES) envisages about a 23% increase in regional rates, but Hugh Gardyne, chair of the Mataura Catchment Liaison Committee (MCLC), says farmers simply can't afford it.

"From a farmer and a ratepayer's perspective, at the present time, the things that we can't control are interest rates, insurance, and rates.

"But be under no misunderstanding. Farmers are desperate to cut costs down, to hopefully achieve a cash surplus for the year. It's very difficult," Gardyne told Rural News.

The council's figures show the rate increase is made up of 9% for flood infrastructure, 5% for flood infrastructure investment and 9% for council services.

Gardyne says farmers would stomach the inflation part of the rates - about 4.5% - but much of it was down to the proposed flood protection measures.

"It's that portion that I'm saying, 'look have a spell, consult a bit wider, get people to understand more what's happening'."

ES says ongoing and greater investment in flood protection is a key proposal of the LTP. A proposed new Flood Protection Infrastructure Rate, based on property capital value, would replace 140 existing catchment rates.

Gardyne said the flood risk from climate change was over-hyped.

"It's coming out of places like NIWA, it's coming out of the National Policy Statements and whatnot.

"People need to just get a grip because we can only afford what we can afford," he said.

However, ES chair Nicol Horrell says the council had to consider recent big events such as Cyclone Gabrielle and past Southland floods.

He said he could not comment on the LTP in detail while the consultation was underway but there had been a good crowd at a public meeting in Invercargill on April 29 and he implored people to make a submission.

More like this

Court decision a win for Southland farmers

Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.

Southland farmers breathe a sigh of relief

Southland Farmers will be breathing a sigh of relief that central Government is stepping in to stop Environment Southland from introducing unworkable and expensive new farming rules.

Clarity needed

OPINION: This month, the government announced a pause to the rollout of the national farm plan system.

Featured

Hort industry dishes out awards

Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.

Manuka honey trader posts sour results

Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.

Poultry industry, Govt sign landmark biosecurity deal

The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Faking it

OPINION: Demand for red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its 'best…

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter