Hefty rises loom

The Waitakere City Council is finalising a draft annual plan for the 2005-2006 financial year and wants to increase rates by 7.15 per cent.

A letter sent to all ratepayers last week tells landowners what they will be paying if the rise is approved.

It also suggests people might like to start thinking about how they will pay, even though the proposal is still open to public submissions and the suggested rate has yet to be struck.

"There are approximately three months before the start of the next rating year," says the author of the letter, John Mackenzie.

"You may find it helpful to arrange for the future payment of rates by direct debit which allows you to spread the rates on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis rather than paying in a lump sum every three months."

Former deputy managing director of Independent Newspapers Jim Carney is among those who received the letter last week.

The West Harbour resident faces a rise of around $363 if the plan goes ahead. Another letter recipient, Western Leader reader Ron Wright of Massey, is looking at an extra $1313.

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