As part of our Long Term Plan 2024 - 2034, we want to permanently stop collecting the Pukehina Development Rate – Do you agree?

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Consultation has concluded

CLOSED: Consultation has concluded. Please see key dates within the timeline for next steps.

The current picture

In 2000, Council introduced a targeted rate of $20 a year for Pukehina property owners to go towards a potential future wastewater scheme (sewerage scheme) for the area. In 2022, the Pukehina Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association asked us to consider changing the purpose of the rate. We asked the community what they thought and based on their feedback we decided to pause the rate until there was more certainty on the future of water reforms being carried out by Central Government.

CLOSED: Consultation has concluded. Please see key dates within the timeline for next steps.

The current picture

In 2000, Council introduced a targeted rate of $20 a year for Pukehina property owners to go towards a potential future wastewater scheme (sewerage scheme) for the area. In 2022, the Pukehina Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association asked us to consider changing the purpose of the rate. We asked the community what they thought and based on their feedback we decided to pause the rate until there was more certainty on the future of water reforms being carried out by Central Government. Since the rules about water projects have changed, we now have the freedom to decide what to do with that money.

The changing landscape 

There is a lot of uncertainty around when, or if, a wastewater scheme will be needed for Pukehina and exactly how much it would cost. A scheme may be needed at some point, and it could cost $30-$40 million, but we don’t expect it will be needed in the next 10 years. 

Framing the future

The current balance of the fund is $528,053. If we are not going to build a wastewater scheme in Pukehina, then we shouldn’t keep collecting this rate. We think our preferred option reflects what we’ve heard previously and provides for the community to benefit from the money they have contributed to the fund.

There are two questions: 

Question One: Should we permanently stop collecting the Pukehina Development Rate?

1. Our preferred option - Permanently stop collecting the Pukehina Development Rate (it has been paused and not collected for the last two years). 

  • Impact on rates: No impact on rates over 10 years.
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.

2. Re-start collection of the Pukehina Development Rate at an annual charge of $20 per property towards a future wastewater scheme.

  • Impact on rates: $20 per rateable property per year for properties in Pukehina Beach. $12,640 added to the reserve account annually.
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.

3. Continue to pause the Pukehina Development rate until there is more certainty around the future of wastewater, stormwater, and water supply.

  • Impact on rates: No impact on rates over 10 years for properties in Pukehina Beach. 
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.

Question Two: On the basis that we permanently stop collecting the Pukehina Development Rate - What should we do with the money already collected?

1. Our preferred option - Repurpose the money already collected for existing projects in the Pukehina community that need funding.

  • Impact on rates: No impact on rates over 10 years.
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.

2. Refund the money already collected ($528,053) as a credit or cash refund to properties in Pukehina Beach. This is approximately $835.50 per property in Pukehina Beach.

  • Impact on rates: No impact on rates over 10 years for properties in Pukehina Beach.
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.

3. Repurpose the money already collected ($528,053) for septic tank cleaning for properties in Pukehina over the next three years. Every property would be entitled to a contribution of approximately $835.50 towards the cleaning of their septic tank within the three-year period.

  • Impact on rates: No impact on rates over 10 years for properties in Pukehina Beach.
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.

4. Retain the money already collected ($528,053) for a future wastewater scheme.

  • Impact on rates: No impact on rates over 10 years for properties in Pukehina Beach. 
  • Impact on debt: No impact on debt over 10 years.
  • Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.