Proposed Fees and Charges FAQs

This is the first time dog registration fees have changed in ten years. Generally, we try and ensure that the person who benefits pays the most towards the cost of that service through fees and charges so that the general ratepayers don’t cover those costs – that is dog owners should pay the most for our dog operations.

Our fees are also to encourage paying on time and where possible to de-sex animals. For example, a neutered annual dog registration paid on time will increase from $55 to $58 – a 5% increase. Working dogs remain just $40 and certified disability assist dogs are now free to register (but they must still be registered)

There are several factors in the increase of waste costs. Generally, we try and apply a ‘user pays’ system - the person who creates more waste pays to dispose of that waste. In situations like waste, it is fair that the person using the service pays for that service, not all ratepayers. In the case the waste, it is costing council much more to dispose of all waste – greenwaste, electrical waste, recycling and rubbish. Central government waste levies are increasing including not just higher fees per tonne of waste dumped, but also extended fees for new types of materials like construction waste. There is no evidence that waste fees increase fly-tipping. Fly tipping occurs even in places where there are no fees or dump charges. People who destroy the environment and ruin natural areas for the rest of the community are unlikely to be doing so because of a $3 increase in costs to dump their litter. It is more likely they just do not have any respect for the whenua and cost has virtually nothing to do with their devastating actions.

Primarily because of the huge cost to ratepayers. It would cost tens of thousands of dollars each year to collect and dispose of hundreds of tonnes of rubbish and additional recycling.

It is also against our Zero Waste policy – we do not encourage waste in any form. We would prefer people find ways to reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, repurpose, donate or sell unwanted materials. It is better for the environment and the whole community.

For example, if you replace your old fridge, part of the cost of getting a new fridge is disposing of the old one ($5 at the RRC). It is not equitable for another ratepayer to cover that cost on your behalf.

We use the Local Government Cost Index which considers inflationary cost increases for local government at 2.3% this year.

Changes to solid waste fees and charges are increasing due to inflation and the increase in the waste levy which central government is requiring on general waste taken to landfill, where the levy is increasing to $30 per tonne. Central government is also requiring a levy on construction and demolition fill (class 2 landfill) of $20 per tonne.