Flood rates relief for owners of dangerous buildings

Published on 03 March 2016

3 March 2016

At its meeting on March 8, the Council will decide on whether to give people whose properties were classified as ‘dangerous’ as a result of the June 20-21 weather event an additional six months of rates relief for the remainder of the 2015/16 year.

In July 2015, the Council halved the rates bill for property owners with dangerous building notices.

Finance Portfolio Holder Cr Jenny Duncan says removing the rates entirely for the 2015/16 year is a way to reduce some of the stress property owners have experienced from the weather event.

“We are talking about rates relief for 11 or so properties classified as dangerous. This is one way our Council can give these worst affected people some financial relief so they can get on and do the work necessary on their properties.

“It’s also a way to let the people severely affected by flooding and land slips know that our community cares and we are a resilient district when  faced with natural disasters.

“Even though many of the properties affected by flooding and slips have been, or are on their way to being re-occupied, owners of damaged buildings or of land that has slipped, and caused buildings to become dangerous, are unable to return home. This has been an extremely stressful time for these property owners, who have had to deal with unique challenges and have little chance of returning home in the future.”

At its meeting the Council will also consider writing off Building and Resource Management Consents and any related fees up to a maximum of $5,000 for properties with dangerous building notices.