Council proposes water rates remission for Havelock North ratepayers

In recognition of the impact of the water contamination incident, Hastings District Council intends to provide a remission of water rates to any property connected to the Havelock North water supply.

This is part of a wider recovery package that Hastings District Council is putting in place in response to the incident.

Councillors agreed unanimously yesterday that an amount of $57, which is the water rates portion of one instalment of rates, will be credited directly against each ratepayer's rate account.

Under the council's Rates Remission and Postponement Policy, in acknowledgement of the inconvenience and distress caused to residents, the water rate component that was charged in instalment one will be remitted.

Many ratepayers pay their rates by direct debit on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. In this case, the direct debit amount will be reduced.

If rates are paid upon receiving the rates invoice, the credit will appear on the next instalment, reducing the amount required to pay for the second instalment.

ENDS.

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