Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 22 March 2023
Finding new feet
50 YEARS
Page 8
PAGES 17-19
IN BUSINESS
Page 20
Stoke-Nayland claim final
7.2 per cent rates rise considered MAX FRETHEY
Local Democracy Reporter
A 7.2 rates hike is on the cards for the city’s residents Nelson City Council has said. The increase is one of five significant changes to council’s Long Term Plan that will go out for public consultation on 29 March. Other changes to the plan relate to the storm recovery work, the future of the new library, upgrading city centre infrastructure, and the proposed housing development in the Kākā Valley. Here’s an overview of what council is proposing: Rates:
Like everyone else, councils around the country are grappling with rising interest rates and inflationary pressures which makes it difficult to keep rates increases low. Add into the mix council’s estimated repair bill for the August weather event of about $35 million (after recovered costs from insurance and government), the proposed rates increase of 7.2 per cent will greater than desired for many. Council’s Long Term Plan 2020/21, forecast the inflation rate in 2023 to be 2.5 per cent, however inflation is actually more than 7 per cent which is the main reason why the proposed increase is so high. “Council is very aware that households and businesses are currently under huge financial stress,” Mayor Nick Smith says. “We are not big enough to counter the broader impacts of sharply
SEE PAGE 4
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
It was a display of skill and festivity at Neale Park as Nelson’s multicultural football festival was in full swing over the weekend. In the hotly contested final, it was the FC Nelson Wannabees who came out trumps over the Chin team, while the Bhutanese won the Plate final, the Chin seconds won the Bowl final and the Karenni Youth won the shield final. The Khmer Khmer Krom won the Spirit of Football award. Pictured are members of the Chin Team A (blue) and the Chin Team B (red). Top row from right: Phun Thawng, Bawi Min, Ram Cung, Thawn Pi, Bawi Cung. Front row from right: Siang Lian, Lianpi, Canaan. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.
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