Rate rise for North Shore

North Shore City Council will seek Auckland Transition Agency approval for the city's biggest capital works programme, which will cause the average household rate to rise by 5.2 per cent.

Council finance chairman Grant Gillon said yesterday that the agency's threat to drill down into long-term budgets of Auckland's councils held no fears for him.

"They will come away pleased with North Shore. We have a credible, robust, sensible plan, which is more than I can say for some of the other councils in the region."

The agency has asked councils to identify the level of rate movement in years one, two and three of their budgets, which will be inherited by the new Auckland Council.

North Shore City's chief financial officer Dale Lott said the average residential rate would rise from $1813 to $1916 in 2009-10.

The following year, the average rate would rise 5 per cent ($2020) and the next year, 5.5 per cent ($2135).

Mr Lott said the 15-year plan included $1690 million of new capital spending and $909 million on renewal capital works.

UP THEY GO

North Shore City rates 2009-10:

* Total rates increase council costs: 5.2 per cent.
* Total rates, including regional levies: 5.7 per cent.
* Average residential rate: $1916.
* Water rate increase: 7.1 per cent.
* Average water bill rises from $258 to $276.