Letter to the Editor, Tuesday September, 2015

Farmers fleeced

I have recently received this year's rates demands from the Far North District Council, and am shocked at the massive increase. I believe, talking to other farmers, that the increases are substantial across the farming sector.

My rates demand is in excess of $11,450. I am interested in how many other farmers are paying more than $10,000 per year also. I ask the council to reply to this letter, informing us how many farmers pay greater than $10,000 in rates in this district.

On checking my 2002 rates invoice, I have noticed a rates increase of 300 per cent over 12 years.

I readily accept the need to pay rates, and am happy to do so. I believe they must be fair. It occurs to me that farmers are bearing much of the rates burden, disproportionate to their use of council facilities.

Over the next 25 years I will pay in rates the original purchase price of the land to the council.

As dairy farmers face a year of extreme hardship and financial loss, I wonder how the astronomical rates demands will affect them. I believe the exorbitant rates increases show both a lack of vision and social conscious on behalf of Far North District Council.

To all you farmers out there, when it comes to the Far North District Council do you ever get the feeling you're getting fleeced?

RIPPED-OFF RATEPAYER

Kaitaia