Selwyn_Times: February 21, 2024

Selwyn Times Wednesday February 21 2024
14
LETTERS
I COULDN’T agree more with
Graham Bethell’s letter. An
independent audit is desperately
required. I wonder how many
people in Selwyn can expect
their own income to increase
by 50 per cent over the next
three years. That’s the increase
that this council seems to think
would be reasonable to impose
on us.
Council rates have always
increased and often well above
inflation figures. We have a great
many new homes in the district,
all contributing funds.
You might imagine that with
all that extra income we could
have a rates reduction! Why have
such huge increases become
necessary?
Has council been fiscally
irresponsible? I think
the increases are totally
unreasonable and we should, at
the very least, have very clear
explanations as to why the
increases are ‘needed’.
-Laurie Tuff, Prebbleton
Stadium costs
Cr Miller (Lincoln) supports
(Feb 7 issue) ratepayers funding
a 5000 seat stadium complex
for the Ellesmere Rugby Sub Union
at Rolleston. The city council
Christchurch.
want us to help fund their rugby
stadium (with unnecessary roof).
Meanwhile, Lincoln sports
fields are beyond capacity,
the netball facilities are
embarrassing, facilities and
infrastructure are bulging while
SDC doubles our population.
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Where is Selwyn’s rates revenue going?
TOO MUCH: Selwyn ratepayers have been asked to
contribute to the construction of Te Kaha stadium in
Our main road might get the
upgrade promised for over a
decade. Stop using Lincoln residents
as a rates farm for the pet
projects of the rest of Selwyn.
- Tracey MacLeod
I very strongly oppose Selwyn
ratepayers being forced to contribute
to the stadium cost, the
inevitable cost overruns, its ongoing
maintenance and shortfall
when costs exceed revenue which
is also inevitable
Te Kaha is a white elephant the
Christchurch Council supported
by our previous government
decided to build which will be a
black hole that Selwyn ratepayers
should strongly oppose funding
as it will be a long term drain
and diversion from urgent
projects in the county with little
or no benefit to most, if any,
ratepayers .
If this proposed levy proceeds,
it will bind Selwyn
ratepayers forever and should be
decided on a referendum of all
ratepayers based on the quantum
We want to hear your views
on the issues affecting life
in Selwyn
Send emails to:
barry@starmedia.kiwi
of rates paid by the voting ratepayer.
The referendum should ask
three questions:
• Do you support contributing
to the capital cost and overruns
of the stadium?
• Do you support contributing
to the maintenance of the
stadium?
• Do you support contributing
to the ongoing shortfall of
Revenue less costs?
If this surprise levy proceeds
you might as well in, bygone
terms, post them blank signed
cheques with a note “help yourself.”
The inevitable operating deficits
should be added to the ticket
prices. That’s called user pays
-Barry Hopkinson, Windwhistle
Letters may be edited or rejected at Star Media’s
discretion. Letters should be about 200 words.
A name, postal address and phone number should be
provided.
Please use your real name, not a nickname, alias, pen
name or abbreviation.
New brochure
out now.
What’s On
in Selwyn
Autumn 2024
March – May
See pages 18–21
for details.
Group Fitness
Recreation
Pick up a copy from any
Council facility or view it online:
selwyn.govt.nz/events
Pools
Libraries
Events