Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Mayoral proposal targets ‘Mum and Dad’ businesses

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Mayoral proposal targets ‘Mum and Dad’ businesses

The many Auckland businesses sitting on properties with CVs worth between $750,000 to $2 million are set to see their Transport Targeted Rate go up 145% from $183 to $450 each year if Len Brown gets his way, warns Auckland Councillor for Orakei, Cameron Brewer in response to the Mayoral Proposal on the 2016/17 Annual Plan released today.

“When a few of us pushed for the level and composition of the Transport Targeted Rate to be reviewed during the 10-year budget, I never anticipated that the Mayor would respond by just socking small and medium-sized businesses. They’re Auckland’s bread and butter. At the time nine out of 19 of us voted for the organisation to find more of the money within, not just put the hand out to the business community.

“Moving from a fixed amount to a sliding scale for businesses dependent on property value needs to be interrogated by businesses and representative associations before council signs off this 2015/16 budget mid-next year. This of course comes on top of the recent LTP decision to delay the council’s target of narrowing the business rating differential by another 14 years to 2036/37,” he says.

Mr Brewer is pleased the Uniform Annual General Charge is up for review, with an increase of the fixed component of household rates long overdue.

“The Mayor’s now calling for rating stability but that hasn’t been a concern for him over the past five years when his low UAGC stung Auckland’s higher valued properties. The public now needs to take the opportunity and have their say on the UAGC.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

On debt, Mr Brewer says annual interest rate payments on group debt will increase from over $400m to close to three-quarters of a billion dollars over the coming decade, limiting future generations on project options as more and more revenue goes to servicing debt.

“I accept debt is inevitable, but unlike household mortgage debt most of council’s assets are not ever realisable, our interest commitments will double not halve over time, and the principal won’t be paid off anytime soon.”

On assets, Mr Brewer says it’s disappointing the council’s $500,000 recent asset review is not even mentioned and needs to be as the public will want to have their say and make suggestions next year.

He describes the ‘Myth Busting’ references throughout today’s Mayoral Proposal as purely political and churlish.

“This is all very defensive and unnecessary. The likes of rating and debt levels are genuine concerns out there among our ratepayers, resident associations, business and community groups. These kind of important issues will form the basis of next year’s local body elections. They shouldn’t be dismissed as myths,” says Cameron Brewer.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.