Flood costs ongoing

February's floods could hit Manawatu-Wanganui ratepayers in the pocket for five years.

Horizons Regional Council proposes charging its 104,000 ratepayers an extra 8 per cent as a storm-recovery levy on annual rates demands.

On a property with a capital value of $200,000, that would cost an extra $8. The rate would decrease slowly over the next few years, stopping in 2008-09.

The aim is to raise an extra $2 million.

Horizons spokesman John McDonald said details of how the extra money would be collected depended on how ratepayers reacted to the idea.

The storms left the council with a shortfall estimated to be about $7 million, depending on insurance payments and Government help.

February's storms and floods damaged 23 of the 31 river and drainage schemes managed by Horizons. The repair bill is estimated at $17.9 million, but there is other damage outstanding as well.

People have until June 18 to tell the council what they think.