1428 days ago

Zero rates plan scrapped as Christchurch council struggles to contain coronavirus fallout

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Residents in Christchurch face a rates increase of between 3.5 and 5.5 per cent next year to plug a $90 million hole in the city council’s purse left largely by the coronavirus pandemic.

Hopes for a much-vaunted lowering of the increase to zero have been dashed, with staff warning the policy would cause “unprecedented” redundancies, jeopardise projects and flout direct advice from the Government.

The authority also faces borrowing more than $100m over the next two years to pay for its coronavirus response and make up for an expected $61.8m in lost dividends from the trading companies it owns.

Read more here.

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More messages from your neighbours
L
11 hours ago

Baby knitting

Lesley from Bishopdale

At night while watching TV I knit baby cardys, bootees, beanies and have a couple of bags that I would like to donate to a worthy cause. It is all wool and would range from newborn to about 6mths old.
Would anyone have any suggestions for a place that would appreciate it.

3 days ago

Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Does the building consent process need to change?
  • 91.4% Yes
    91.4% Complete
  • 8.3% No
    8.3% Complete
  • 0.3% Other - I'll share below!
    0.3% Complete
993 votes