Water rates invoices received by Ohope and Whakatane residents before Christmas will seem higher for some people because they now cover both six months of usage and the supply charge which was previously included in Whakatane District Council rates bills.

A number of changes were made to the way water rates are charged as part of a review of Council fees and charges last year and a summary of those changes was sent to all ratepayers with their July rates invoice.

Mayor Tony Bonne says the change from quarterly to six-monthly billing was a good decision, as was the move away from a higher charge for summer usage. “I know some Councillors have received quite a few calls about this and it’s unfortunate that a reminder about the changes wasn’t included with the water rates bills,” he says. “Overall, the total annual cost of water rates will have changed very little for most people and some will actually see a reduction.”