Northern Porirua ratepayers will face big increases in rates after 1 July next year after Quotable Value reports on valuation changes throughout the city, said Councillor Robert Shaw

"The differences in property values will be accentuated in the new valuations because house buyers are now more willing to pay a premium to live in desirable places."

"Suburbs by the sea, and with sea views, will be hit hard by rates increases, as a result. Plimmerton, Pukerua Bay, Whitby, Paremata, Papakowhai and parts of Mana will be hardest hit"

"If you can see the water, watch out" he said.

Preliminary information from Quotable Value New Zealand Limited is that Porirua City will increase in value by 20% across the board, but some places will increase by up to 40%.

Councillor Shaw sought the information from Quotable Value New Zealand when he found so many people asked him about Porirua's rates.

At present, they have three valuers working their way round residential property in the city. Real estate agents have confirmed the trend towards a greater range of property values within the city.

Porirua City has consistently put up its rates for a decade, and the council must find a way to bring them down into line with other cities in our region. This is even more important when the differences between suburbs are extreme, Councillor Shaw added.

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More about Robert: http://robertshaw.freeyellow.com/index.html

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