1 August 2014

Auckland rates notices out from today

Auckland ratepayers will receive their rates notice for the 2013/2014 rating year from today, the third year of Auckland’s three-year move to a single rating system.

Over time, all Auckland properties of similar value and use will be charged a similar amount of rates, regardless of where ratepayers live or work in the region.

Rates are used to pay for things such as public transport, events, parks and other community facilities.

There are different payment options available, as well as ways to help people manage their payments, including rebates, remissions and postponement schemes.

Council approved its 2014/2015 annual plan in June. This included an average 2.5 per cent rates increase across Auckland, which is an average increase of 0.1 per cent for businesses and 3.7 per cent for residents. This year’s average increase is well below the 4.9 per cent forecast in the council’s Long-term Plan.

For the year ahead, Auckland Council has identified efficiency savings that have reduced the cost of operations by $183 million.

During the three-year transition process, the maximum that rates can rise for residential and farm/lifestyle properties is capped at 10 per cent, while the lowest they can drop is 3 per cent.

Business ratepayers have transitioned to their new rates amount, having moved from their 2011/2012 rates amount in near-equal steps over the three-year period.

ENDS

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