Council rates, spending up … but it’s not yet fixing water, wastewater issues

By Martin Freeth

South Wairarapa District Council increased its rates take by $5 million last year _ but very little of that extra money went into operating and upgrading wastewater and town water supply systems.

The jump in rates income was used mainly to support increases in SWDC’s operational spending on community facilities and services – including parks and reserves, swimming pools, libraries and public buildings – and spending on planning and regulatory activities. The latter arise from the Council’s statutory obligations in respect of spatial planning, building consents, public health and “wellbeing.”

Last year, ended 30 June 2024, saw ratepayers make a total of $26.2 million in cash payments to SWDC – an increase from the previous year’s rates take of $21.1 million. That’s a 24% jump during a year when South Wairarapa’s ratepayer numbers rose only 2% (to 7,404 rating units at 30 June.)

The numbers are reported in SWDC’s financial statements and annual report for 2024 which were publicly released on 21 November after being formally adopted by the Council. The adoption was slightly late because of a auditing delay within Audit New Zealand, which has apologized publicly.

The Statement of Income and Spending for 2023-24 shows SWDC’s total expenditure was $34.6 million, up 3.2% from the previous year. But within the total, spending in the areas of community facilities and services, and planning and regulatory activities jumped by 14%. 

SWDC spent $1.7 million more in these two areas compared with the previous year. … Continue Reading

Did rates petition nudge kickstart real dialogue?

By Councillor Aidan Ellims

There have been a number of consultations where the Council has asked you to provide submissions on different topics and thanks to everyone who has sent in submissions. Since August, council staff and councillors have been working on the Long Term Plan which will be consulted on early next year.

At our last Council meeting on 20 November, we received a petition signed by over 1,000 residents, as well as hearing from other residents about the impacts and concerns they have regarding the rates increases over recent years. 

As a result of this meeting and petition, councillors and staff are working with folks involved in the petition to share information about the process that we are taking to work through the LTP, to show the projects and priorities we are working with, as well as focusing on reducing rates increases.

Over two years ago when I stood for election, I commented that “there will always be increases in rates, however, we need to be smart as to what is funded with those increases.”  … Continue Reading

Foodbank stretches as demand level continues upward

By Ray Lilley

This time in 2023 The Social Crust, Martinborough’s volunteer foodbank, was supplying weekly food boxes to 57 clients _ mainly families _ in Martinborough and Greytown.

As the group enters the 2024 Christmas season, that figure has become 70 food boxes a week to the needy in the community, a third of those sent to Greytown residents.

With government funding phasing out for foodbanks nationwide, local foodbank founders May and Peter Croft have developed a new “self-help” model by creating a community op-shop, “Priceless on Princess.”

As for the demand from the needy:

“I think we are getting more people who have never asked for food before from a foodbank,” May Croft told The Star. “We are getting more older people who are struggling on a pension as their only source of income. You’re in your own home and you can’t afford rates and insurance _ the economics don’t work.” … Continue Reading

Four business awards won by local enterprises

Tora Coastal Walk, Martinborough Pharmacy, Scotty’s Meats and South Wairarapa Rotary_ Martinborough Fair _ have taken out a clutch of top prizes at the Wairarapa Awards for regional business.

Tora Coastal Walk won the “Diversification Award” and praise from the judges who said “this enterprise’s resilience and agility, in successfully pivoting and creating a sustainable business model.

The family-owned three-day walk, one of the longest-standing private walks in New Zealand, takes in farmland, native bush, river valleys and the rugged Tora coastline, complete with gourmet food, quality lodge accommodation and warm rural hospitality. … Continue Reading