Latest news with #ratepayers
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
New government stats reveal how much councils are spending
Local Government Minister Simon Watts said councils needed to show they were spending ratepayers' money wisely. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The government has published new performance metrics revealing how much councils are spending as it continues to ramp up the pressure on local bodies. But Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says the information only tells part of the story and should also include what councils are delivering for the money spent. The first set of "council profiles" draw on data to gauge financial performance. In a statement, Local Government Minister Simon Watts said the cost of living was the biggest worry for households and councils needed to show they were spending ratepayers' money wisely . "Ratepayers place immense trust in their local councils who make key decisions on local infrastructure, fiscal management, and how their community operates on a day-to-day basis on their behalf." he said. The figures show information on council demographics like population and land area, rates revenue, council debt, staffing numbers, how much councils spend and what they spend it on. Watts said people were getting fed up with rate rises and it was important they saw how their council was performing. "That's why the government is putting clear facts and figures directly into the hands of ratepayers. When ratepayers know more about how their council is performing and where their money is going, they can engage more effectively and ask the tough questions. "For instance, communities can now compare how much their council spends on core essentials like infrastructure and see whether their rates are going up more than average." he said. Council are grouped together with similar councils and then benchmarked on their performace. "Releasing these performance metrics aligns with our commitment to lifting the performance of local government. It is an opportunity for councils that are focused on their core functions to highlight their efficiency and value to their communities." Watts said. The government was "actively exploring" a rates capping system , he said. "Given the current pressures on households, the degree of rates increases is a massive worry." While the first release information covers financial performance, subsequent releases will cover metrics like asset management, service delivery, and governance In a statement, LGNZ Vice President Campbell Barry said the metrics were a good starting point for councils to engage with their communities, which always supported transparency and benchmarking. "The profiles detail council expenditure, but they don't show what the community gets for this investment or whether that investment has been supported by the community," he said. "At the moment, the metrics only provide part of the story. For example, is that council investing in key infrastructure to support future growth or make up for past underinvestment, has it been exposed to particular cost pressures or weather events, or is it at a particular point in an investment cycle?" Barry said local context was important. "We encourage people to also look at councils' pre-election reports - which provide a snapshot of council performance and value as well as unique challenges and opportunities - alongside the profiles, to get a fuller picture." he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
‘Crippling' bills likely in South Wairarapa with water reform
Local Government Minister Simon Watts. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone South Wairarapa Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter says the government needs to step up and offer more support for smaller councils to undergo water reform. Water reform will "cripple" South Wairarapa ratepayers, unless urgent financial support is delivered by central government, the council's deputy mayor says. On behalf of her council, Melissa Sadler-Futter has written to Local Government Minister Simon Watts urging him to support small and rural councils grappling with the growing scale and cost of water infrastructure reform. The letter was in support of a plea from Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker whose ratepayers could face annual costs of $7000 per household under water reform by 2034. Modelling for South Wairarapa showed that ratepayers could face annual costs of almost $5000 per household under the proposed Wairarapa-Tararua joint entity. "Like Central Hawke's Bay, we're a small rural council doing everything we can to plan ahead, invest wisely, and collaborate with our neighbours - but the scale of the challenge is now beyond what small communities can carry alone," Sadler-Futter said. "Councils are now overwhelmed by compliance, unfunded mandates and escalating financial impacts of decades of underinvestment." Both leaders had called for government-funded capital injections for small and rural councils to help address the backlog of investment, especially for wastewater compliance. South Wairarapa District Council. Photo: LDR The leaders also want a national definition of what "affordable" meant and how the Commerce Commission would intervene in small rural situations. Sadler-Futter said the Wairarapa-Tararua model offered "a sound approach to rural reform". "However, without government support, the cost of transition, compliance, and service delivery under this new model will simply cripple our community." "Whilst we are extremely grateful for the transition funding received at the end of June, the continued financial pressures that are already being felt by our ratepayers will become untenable in the future." She said many rural and provincial councils were facing similar pressures and were "doing the right things" regarding investment and planning. "But the scale of the challenge now far exceeds the capacity of small districts to carry alone." South Wairarapa District Council was responsible for operating four wastewater treatment plants, four freshwater treatment plants, and an extensive rural road network - all with just 7,500 rateable units. Two of the district's wastewater plants were currently under abatement notices, limiting new housing connections despite growing demand. The council was working with Carterton, Masterton, and Tararua district councils to develop a regional water services model, under the government's Local Water Done Well framework. Sadler-Futter said the regional model offered a "sound approach" to rural water reform, "but we need central Government to work alongside us to share the load". "Without targeted funding and a fair approach to affordability, our ratepayers will face costs that are simply unsustainable." In a response to Walker, Watts said affordability was up for councils to determine, and that the Government was working to reduce costs and regulatory burdens for wastewater plants in particular. A recent government study into proposed changes to environmental standards for water treatment plants could result in 40 percent to 60 percent cost savings, he said. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
The Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
Municipality's debt amnesty offer must be welcomed
In the past year alone, household municipal arrears in Nelson Mandela Bay have rocketed from R12bn to R16bn. Two-thirds of Nelson Mandela Bay ' s ratepayers are in arrears. Let that sink in. The new amnesty deal from the municipality is a quick fix. Nearly 70% of this debt is more than a year old. That is a bad sign as it shows this is a long-term problem. The city's debtors ' book stands at R18bn — just shy of the entire R21.58bn 2025/2026 budget. We are in a place where what is owed to the city almost equals what the city needs to run. That is another bad sign. This is why the municipality is offering to wipe out half of what residents and businesses owe — if they can scrape together the rest within a year. The municipality ' s new debt amnesty programme is a shot at recovery for households, businesses and the city itself. It is a bold and constructive step. It is a deal which acknowledges economic hardship while calling on residents and business owners to meet the city halfway. It is open to residential, business and registered NPO accounts. Applicants must pay 2.5% of the balance upfront and the rest must be cleared within 12 months, in monthly instalments. The process is clear, the terms are reasonable, and the September 30 deadline gives residents enough time to act. Budget and treasury political head Khanya Ngqisha said this was not a handout, but a one-off deal designed to help residents recover . 'The council resolution applies to everyone, whether it's a business or private household, if you are in arrears. 'Whether someone earns R100 or R1m, a person must just come and apply and they will be considered,' he said. This is not just a financial initiative. It is a political decision which puts people first while trying to steer the city back towards financial health. The Herald
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Huge Native Title problem that's costing Aussies big as state deals with almost 40 claims - and one has lasted more than two decades
Queensland councils have desperately called on the government to provide financial support as they burn through ratepayers' money dealing with Native Title claims. Councils in the state are currently responding to 38 Native Title claims, with one contest for sea territory in the Torres Strait now running for 24 years. Redland City Council is at the forefront of calls for external funding after spending eight years responding to a Native Title claim over much of its coastline. While Native Titles don't affect freehold property - including residential houses and businesses - the council expressed confusion about the future of its properties. About 3,500 properties owned or managed by Redland City Council have been included in the Quandamooka Coast claim area. The Queensland Government assessed 1,300 of those properties and found 80 could be subject to the title claim, including an animal shelter and cemetery. However, the council has been lumped with the task of processing its remaining properties through the Federal Court to determine if they are eligible for Native Title claim. Typically, exclusion is given when public works - like roads, playgrounds, shelters - were built before December 23, 1996. Redland City Council did not own some of the contested properties before that date but has built parks, recreation areas, and infrastructure on them. The ongoing debate over the properties has already cost the council $2million and its legal bill will continue to grow with a four-week hearing scheduled in September. The council unsuccessfully asked the extended assessment be covered by the Queensland Government, noting 'having clarity over the history of the lots of land will ensure there are no legacy issues down the track'. Senator Pauline Hanson earlier this month called for the state government to take the pressure off small councils being hit with Native Title claim bills. 'While the claimants have their legal costs fully funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Queensland councils had their support taken away long ago,' Hanson said. 'Queensland councils were acknowledged as among the best in responding to Native Title claims until Labor changed the Native Title Respondent Funding Scheme in 2013 and effectively put the cost burden on local ratepayers. 'The Albanese government has since abolished the scheme altogether. 'It's a burden that few, if any, regional Queensland councils can bear.' The Senator echoed the sentiment of councils around the state, saying the Native Title claims 'are often very complex and can take years to resolve, resulting in huge legal costs for respondents'. The Quandamooka Coast claim area includes a small part of Brisbane City, most of mainland Redlands and areas of Lamb Island, Macleay Island, Karragarra Island, Coochiemudlo Island, Cassim Island, Sandy Island, Tindappah Island, Green Island, King Island, St Helena Island and Mud Island. It is being overseen by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, which in 2011 was granted Native Title over nearby North Stradbroke Island. Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith told the Courier Mail she supported calls for funding to be reinstated. 'Local governments are automatically joined as respondents when a Native Title claim affecting the local government area is lodged in the Federal Court,' she said. 'It is critical that the Commonwealth reinstates the Financial Assistance Scheme so local governments are able to access funding to participate in the claim process.' Local Government Minister Ann Leahy wouldn't comment on funding for Native Title claims, instead pointing to decreased 'red tape'. 'While Labor walked away from supporting councils for a decade, the Crisafulli government is helping reduce red tape and costs to ensure they can deliver for their communities,' she said.
Bloomberg
22-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Puerto Rico Board Cites Deep Concerns Over New Fortress LNG Deal
Puerto Rico's federal watchdog reiterated deep concerns about a contract that would give New Fortress Energy almost complete control of the island's liquefied natural gas deliveries for more than a decade, and said it has serious questions about how the deal was hammered out. 'There appears to be no entity that is accountable to explain the negotiations or the rationale behind the proposed terms and conditions, its impact on ratepayers, and the future of Puerto Rico's energy system,' the Financial Oversight and Management Board wrote in a letter to Josue Colon, the energy czar and the executive director of the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority.
