It is not supprising that CHBDC has been copping a lot of flack (some of it unrepeatable) over the suggested new rate levying system.
It is difficult to see the benefit of a new system which for the majority of ratepayers will simply be another way of council hiking up rates big-time!!
Having had a quick look at the figures as they would apply to me personally, I see that they want an extra 30 or so percent out of my pocket, or about
an extra $400 per annum.
What would I get in improved services for my increased contribution? Very little or even nothing..The talk is that it is mainly for road maintenance, but more than that, it would be a clever way to penalise ratepayers in general for the neglect of core facilities, under the guise of being more equitable.
How would the extra 20 to 30% from the majority effect the 9% already factored-in rise for the next few years? Would the new system after the initial shock ,  guarantee  us even a couple of years of no rates rises?  I think not, but these are factors on which council should have advised us before seeking our input.
Such a new rates system is far too major to be left to be decided by a couple of hundred submissions either way.  On such a small opinion base, a council desperate for a lot of dosh to fix the facliities which were so badly neglected in the past, would likely see the new system as a fate a' compli (Vide the Heated-pool referendum of the past).
I believe that council needs to inform us of all of the ramifications of such a huge rates-hike and hold a binding referendum..If they won't do that, ratepayers should not have a bar of it!