By John Freer

Fairness and equity won over public feedback when Thames Coromandel District Councillors today agreed to change the district’s rating system.

The potential change from a land valuation system to capital values, brought about some lively debate for one and half hours before a 6/4 voting margin decided the issue.

Council had undergone consultation where 56 percent of the 652 submitters, supported staying with the status quo.

Those against the change advocated the importance of listening to what ratepayers wanted and using that to formalise a decision.

Cr Deli Connell said rates were about services utilised by households and not about the value of a property. Supporting was Cr Rekha Giri-Percival saying it was important councillors did not ignore the feedback.

Cr Peter Revell questioned the timing of the consideration claiming the business community could face additional costs, which under the tough economical times they could not afford.

On the other side Cr John Morrissey said besides the information provided, fairness and equity were critical around rates setting. Cr Robyn Sinclair responded to going against the public feedback, maintaining councillors having worked through all the information, were in the best position to make a decision.

Cr John Grant said the job of an elected member was more than making decisions just on feedback, it was also what is good for the district going forward. He used the comparison of who was going to make greater use of council provided services, people living in a house or those with an empty section.

The new process also enables greater use of targeting rating. The decision will come into effect for rates set for the 2026/2027 period.