July 29 2014
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Rates must be paid by Colin Patterson
A High Court judgement on the contentious Mangawhai rates case has delighted Kaipara District Council and upset protesting Mangawhai ratepayers.
Bridge campaign gets boost
Matakohe bridge replacements likely to be listed in Northland’s regional land transport plan for 2015-18 …
P3
Twenty years in business
Dargaville’s sewing centre has been a popular destination for those of a creative disposition for many years
P4
Au revoir Dargaville
Exchange student Claire Rameaux admits when she found out she was coming to Dargaville, she knew nothing about the place …
P5
Friday’s decision from Justice Paul Heath rejected the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association’s request for an order preventing the council pursuing disputed rates while the association’s appeal is heard by the Court of Appeal. Justice Heath ruled that although the council had acted unlawfully in signing a contract for Mangawhai’s EcoCare sewerage scheme, in undertaking complex financing transactions and in imposing additional rates to pay for cost blowouts on the scheme, the rates were validated by MP Mike Sabin’s Members Bill that was passed by parliament in 2013, while the financing transactions were protected transactions under the Local Government Act. MRRA chairman Bruce Rogan was not amused. “We were done like a dinner,” he says. “The judge has given councils from throughout the country carte blanche to ignore the law completely.” Kaipara chief commissioner John Robertson says the council was pleased at the judgement. “It reaffirms the court’s original decisions and that the council has a mandate to collect rates. “We’re keen to see this as an end of litigation and we would like the MMRA to reconsider its decision to appeal.” Mr Rogan says that will be up to MRRA’s members to decide. “We have lodged an appeal already. We have to check with our membership whether we should proceed. The decision will be whether we want the matters
“
It reaffirms the court’s original decisions and that the council has a mandate to collect rates.
”
– John Robertson
“
KDC chief commissioner John Robertson
MRRA chairman Bruce Rogan
corrected through the political process or the judicial one.” Mr Rogan says he expects a decision to be made within a week to 10 days.
We were done like a dinner, the judge has given councils from throughout the country carte blanche to ignore the law completely.
”
– Bruce Rogan
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