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Aucklanders could be offered rates sweeteners in return for preserving beauty spots and green space on their land.
The tactic for saving outstanding natural landscapes from development was discussed by Auckland Regional Council members this week as local councils grapple with the soaring cost of securing new parkland for a population that is tipped to reach 1.9 million people in 25 years.
ARC finance committee members decided yesterday to recommend the council have a new policy for remission of rates for parts of properties protected for natural or historic or cultural conservation purposes.
The council has two policies at present to encourage protection of open space on private property.
One of them remits rates for parts of properties covered by QEII National Trust covenants.
The other allows a flat postponement of 25 per cent of rates for farmland outside city limits which is greater than 12ha.
ARC finance chairman Bill Burrill said it was proposed to extend the remissions policy for QEII Trust areas to land that has been legally protected through other mechanisms, such as covenants, management agreements, or declarations made with local councils or under acts of Parliament.
"It's recognition - in a small way - that people have given up use of the land in taking on these covenants and that it benefits the whole community."
This year, ARC remissions for QEII covenanted properties amount to $7700 spread among 42 properties. That could double under an expanded policy.
Mr Burrill said the recommendation would be considered when the ARC planned its budget for the next 10 years, and would be open to feedback.
But he thought more work was needed on whether rates relief should be extended to properties with natural landscape not legally protected. "It has to be fair and straight up and down that no person is particularly advantaged."
Giving up some rates money in return for help to keep green spaces on the map is seen as good value.
ARC managers say four local councils - Waitakere City and Rodney, Franklin and Papakura Districts - offer up to 100 per cent rates remission, excluding uniform charges, for open space of natural heritage value which is legally protected.
The other three councils do not offer remissions.
But Auckland City has grants to fund conservation projects on private land in the Hauraki Gulf islands, North Shore City is drafting a policy to offer grants to cover the costs of setting up covenants and Manukau City offers rates relief in the form of grants to 140 properties with native bush.
