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Aucklanders with uninhabitable homes after extreme weather events will be able to get total rates relief for those properties, although that is not what was originally proposed.
At the Governing Body meeting on July 27, staff proposed giving 50 percent rates relief to Aucklanders whose homes were rendered uninhabitable by the weather events.
Under this proposal, Aucklanders would also have been able to apply for a higher level of rates relief, which would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Mayor Wayne Brown started the debate by cautioning councillors.
“This is the first of what could be a whole series of these, so remember you are setting precedence,” Mayor Brown said.
Automatically giving 50 percent rates relief to affected Aucklanders is estimated to cost Council up to $1.5 million – a figure which would effectively double if 100 percent relief is provided.
Rodney Cr Greg Sayers put forward an amendment for 100 percent rates relief, saying 50 percent did not go far enough.
“These families are at breaking point.” Sayers said. “It’s the right thing to do.”
He questioned the capacity of council staff to do assessments of homeowners who applied for more than 50 percent rates relief, saying that proposal added complexity for both Aucklanders and council.
Councillors voted unanimously to support 100 percent rates relief for affected properties. The decision applies to the rates for this financial year, and allows Council staff to reassess properties for the next financial year as well.
