COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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Rates and other services
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ocal councils carry out a range of activities for their communities. These include maintaining our water supply and roads and providing community facilities like libraries and museums. Council activities are mainly funded through rates. Other sources of funding include grants, user fees, investment income and development contributions. The amount of rates the council collects each year is determined through the Long-Term Plan and the Annual Plan processes.
These plans establish Whanganui District Council’s work programme for a range of activities, such as roading or stormwater. The cost of delivering and funding each programme is calculated, and the amount of rates that needs to be collected is then worked out. The council consults with the community before adopting these plans. Whanganui District Council rates are payable in four equal instalments for 2020/2021 (for the financial year from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021). 2020/2021 instalment due dates: Instalment 1 – Wednesday 26 August 2020 Instalment 2 – Wednesday 25 November 2020 Instalment 3 – Wednesday 24 February 2021 Instalment 4 – Wednesday 26 May 2021 We can set up direct debits on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. Please contact Customer Services on 06 349 0001 for more information. You can also find information about how rates are set and collected, and all payment options, at: www.whanganui.govt.nz/ rates
you may be eligible for a rates rebate of up to $655. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 30 June 2021. Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by: • The ratepayer’s income for the previous tax year (year ended 31 March 2020) • The amount of rates (for both Whanganui District Council and Horizons Regional Council) • The number of dependants (an additional income allowance for dependants is $500 per dependant). Ratepayers need to apply to Whanganui District Council for a rates rebate. Those who are eligible will then either have their rates reduced by the amount of the rebate, or receive a refund if the rates have been paid in full for the year. Application forms are available from 101 Guyton Street or can be downloaded from www.ratesrebates.govt.nz To apply for a rebate, please visit us by Wednesday, 30 June 2021 at 101 Guyton Street, Whanganui.
Horizons Regional Council rates are collected separately from Whanganui District Council. For more information about Horizons Regional Council rates, visit: www.horizons.govt.nz/property-rates or call Horizons Regional Council on 0508 800 800.
To assist with your application, please bring in the following: • evidence of all gross income for the tax year ended 31 March 2020 (this includes income from interest) • your Whanganui District Council rates assessment for 2020/21 • your Horizons Regional Council rates assessment for 2020/21
RATES REBATES
COUNCIL HOUSING
The rates rebate scheme provides a subsidy for low to moderate income home owners. If your income is low to moderate (maximum $26,150) then
Council housing provides quality housing for people aged 65 years and older, who have limited financial resources. Whanganui District Council
owns and rents out 275 pensioner units in 16 separate complexes across Whanganui. Application forms are available from Customer Services at 101 Guyton Street or you can call us for more information on 06 349 0001. Application forms are also available on the Council website: www.whanganui.govt.nz/housing
OTHER SERVICES
If you are out and about enjoying our beautiful parks and reserves, or have recently moved to Whanganui, we have useful guidelines on our website to ensure you have a pleasant visit. These guidelines/bylaws include, for example: • Noise in our community – how to be a good neighbour or to let us know if noise is an issue in your neighbourhood • Alcohol Control Bylaw – enhancing public safety and enjoyment of public places by minimising alcohol-related harm and offences in controlling the consumption and possession of alcohol in specified public places • Smokefree and Vapefree Outdoor Areas Policy – promoting a healthy environment in our central city and parks by encouraging non-smoking and non-vaping in public areas and at events • Visit www.whanganui.govt.nz for further council information and services. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please give us a call on 06 349 0001.
