Monday, 17 October 2022 15:55

Feds urge core infrastructure focus this Council triennium

Written by  Staff Reporters
Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner. Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner.

Now local council elections have come to a close, with the last of the successful candidates announced late last week, Federated Farmers is urging councils up and down the country to focus on rates bills this term.

Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says there are many issues facing local government this term, but the newly elected councillors need to keep residents’ concerns top of mind.

“Federated Farmers congratulates all successful candidates, and thanks all of those who stood. It takes courage to put your name forward for an election,” says Faulkner.

In 2022, as in previous years, Federated Farmers published a 2022 ‘platform’ of hot button council issues, outlining the farming sector’s concerns and suggested changes on everything from three waters and RMA reforms to rural road maintenance, climate change and environmental regulation.

“Right up the front of that platform was the bald and unpalatable fact that in the decade to 2022, local authority rates and feeds have gone up an average 56%, against a consumer price index rise of 20%,” Faulkner says.

“For farmers, and many other businesses and households too, the rates bill is a major – and climbing cost.”

Federated Farmers wants councillors to remember the difference between ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’, and to ask questions around value for money.

“Core infrastructure should be the priority,” says Faulkner.

During the Annual Plan/budget rounds, there should also be robust debate around the place for targeted rates and uniform charges "which are often a much fairer way than general rates of apportioning costs according to benefit derived," she says.

More like this

Bye bye Paris?

OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

What's going on?

OPINION: On the 2nd of May, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that the 'government remains on track to ban full farm-to-forestry conversion'.

Featured

EU regulations unfairly threaten $200m exports

A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.

Bionic Plus back on vet clinic shelves

A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.

Editorial: Winston's words of wisdom

OPINION: Foreign policy is a real strength of Winston Peter and this is recognised by Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) officials who, so the story goes, wanted him in his present role because of his experience in that field.

National

Machinery & Products

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved…

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Double standards

OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".

Debt monster

OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter