4 May 2012

Plan for higher rates will hit farmers, foresters - lobbyist

8:14 pm on 4 May 2012

Northland farming leader Bill Guest says farming and forestry are being unfairly targetted in proposed rates hikes.

Mr Guest, a Dargaville dairy farmer and operations director of Farmers of New Zealand, says Kaipara and far North District Councils are introducing a new multi-level rating system.

He says that includes a special roading rate which will impose a huge burden on farmers and foresters.

Mr Guest says the new roading charges will significantly increase the overall rates bill for foresters and dairy farmers who are already facing a big drop in milk incomes this season.

Mr Guest is urging all farmers to check out the rates increases proposed in community plans and have their say before submissions close at the end of the month.