KEY POINTS:
Local authorities' coffers have been boosted by rate increases of $58m over the past year, figures released today show.
Local authorities' revenue from rates rose 7.5 per cent in the three months to September compared to the same period in 2005. This revenue rise came from a 10.8 per cent increase in the rates paid by residents.
Overall, the amount of money in local authorities' coffers went up 3.3 per cent to $1.42 billion in the September quarter from the June quarter, the figures from Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) showed.
Central government grants to repair flood damage helped boost the total revenue.
SNZ said local authorities received $28.9 million in government grants and subsidies in the September quarter, up 18.3 per cent from the previous quarter.
"The key factor behind this increase was money spent on repairing damage caused by flooding in the North Island," SNZ said.
Government grants and subsidies increased $19.1 million from the same quarter a year ago, up 11.4 per cent.
Income from imposing regulations was up 7.4 per cent in the quarter and interest income was up 8.9 per cent.
Overall, local authorities increased expenditure by 2.9 per cent to $1.39 billion in the September quarter and they had a surplus of $31.8 million.
- NZPA
