Rates affordability Debate

Community Wellbeing - Togetherness

Option 3

The argument supporting Option 3 emphasizes the importance of focusing on essential services and involving the community in maintaining and improving local amenities. It suggests that ratepayers should not bear the financial burden for damages caused by commercial activities, advocating instead for a direct charge to those responsible. Additionally, it highlights a desire for less restrictive council policies that would allow community members to actively participate in projects like repairing local trails, fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility.

Table of comments:

Point No

Comment

939.1

Council should focus on the needs and not the wants. Rate payers should pay for what they use - we should not have to pay for the repair of roads and damage to infrastructure caused by heavy trucks and forestry slash. Charge the commercial operators / industries causing the damage. Ratepayers are paying 3 times - once in additional rates, in additional taxes (being diverted from other areas), and again in insurance premiums. Encourage rather than discourage the community to keep their city clean. Allow people to participate by way of community work - the Council cannot do everything on their own. As an example, the trail around Banford Park has been cordoned off for well over a year. People are willing and able to repair it - let them! Just put up a sign advising people to be cautious. Its dragconian and arrogant to stop people from wanting to help make Nelson a better place.