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Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Katie Milne.
Federated Farmers want the government to give immediate attention to the Local Government '10 point plan' for rates reform.
Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Katie Milne says the disastrous dairy payout prices in particular mean farmers want urgent action on local body rates inequities.
"We farmers can't control international prices. Neither can the government. But the government can legislate rates reform. It all helps, and the sooner the better," Milne says.
Federated Farmers in particular want the rates base to be broadened.
"There needs to be a good hard look at landowners who are currently exempt from paying rates. Local bodies need to get more into user pays for services."
However, Milne has reservations about some of the LGNZ plan.
"The idea of 'value uplift' to increase rates in line with increased local government investment is interesting. We would need to see the fine print, but we would have a concern that local government investment in such things as roads may not benefit anyone but the people passing through to somewhere else."
Milne also endorsed the Local Government Minister, Paula Bennett's push for councils to be more efficient and effective and to demonstrate the value of their spending before asking for more money.
"I agree that any changes to funding arrangements should not be a license to grow spending. To me, the key is about what are the most appropriate ways to fund modern local government and how funding of local government should be sending the right messages to central government, councils, and communities. Currently, over-reliance on property value rates fails this test dismally."
"Overall however, LGNZ has produced a refined version of mostly what has been on the table and well considered for some time. It is now up to central government to get on with doing something about it," she says.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Farmers want the Government to scrap controversial freshwater rules that "put river spirits and ideology ahead of practical water use", says Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper.
Many farmers around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.
In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
Sheep milk processor Maui Milk is on track to record average ewe production of 500 litres by 2030, says outgoing chief executive Greg Hamill.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
Changes to New Zealand’s postal service has left rural communities disappointed.
Alliance is urging its farmer-shareholders to have their say on the proposed $250 million strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats Group.
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