#Local Government
Target:
Kapiti Coast District Council
Region:
New Zealand
Website:
www.facebook.com

In June 2012, Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) is proposing to introduce water metering of all private residencies in the District. The ratepayers are expected to fund the initial installation cost (estimated to be in excess of NZ $8,000,000) and the ongoing annual maintenance costs (yet to be determined) for these meters.

It is widely purported that although 80% of Kapiti Coast ratepayers are opposed, the Mayor and Councillors are determined to proceed with their actions.

Despite a request by residents for a referendum, the Mayor is ignoring the ratepayers and in a Kapiti Observer article dated 22/08/2011 she said the Council did not think a referendum was required.

Phase one of the campaign culminated in a street petition of 7662 signatures being presented to KCDC. This online petition will continue into 2012 to allow Kapiti Coast residents who want to be heard and raise the number of signatures over the 10,000 mark.

NOTE: Campaign updates are posted on the facebook page above. Add your thoughts there as well.

We, the undersigned, note that the Kapiti Coast District Council intends to introduce household and business water meters at a starting cost of $8 million of Ratepayers money.

We further note that Kapiti Coast District Council has no electoral mandate to proceed.

We believe Kapiti ratepayers should be given their democratic right to choose now before costs get out of hand and request that:

1. Under section 9 of the Local Electoral Act, Kapiti Coast District Council hold a referendum to allow ratepayers to say whether they support water meters or not.

2. We request the referendum coincide with the mailout of the next Council rates billing cycle.

3. In the meantime Kapiti Coast District Council stop all work on developing a water meter plan and charging regime for which it has no electoral mandate.

The ASK US FIRST for Referendum on Water Meters petition to Kapiti Coast District Council was written by Martin Warriner and is in the category Local Government at GoPetition.