New Quotable Value figures show residential and lifestyle property values in the Hauraki District have risen sharply over the last three years.

Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga says overall residential values have increased 56 percent across the District, which reflects the growing interest in Hauraki as an attractive place to invest, live and do business.

'I've lived here for more than 40 years and I've never seen a leap like this. It's really encouraging to see so much activity and growth in our towns,” he says.

'To help keep up with the increasing demand we've been working through some potential changes to the District Plan. We'll be talking some more about this with our communities soon.”

Every three years, valuations are prepared on behalf of all councils by QV. The purpose of these valuations is to help councils set rates for the next three years. The updated rating valuations are independently audited by the Office of the Valuer General.

As well as a particularly strong increase in the value of residential property, the District has seen an average value increase of 40 percent in lifestyle property, defined as land area between 2500m² and 20ha. Commercial and industrial property values have also increased around 20 percent. In the rural sector, the value of dairying land has dropped around 4 percent.

'There is continued demand for top-quality farms with flat contours, in good locations. With the added challenge of Mycoplasma bovis, there's also strong demand for farms to be fully self-contained. Properties with grazing, especially for young stock, are sought-after, taking away the requirement to move stock around different farms and eliminating potential contact with infected animals. There is some confidence in the market but farmers remain cautious and while there is moderate turnover there has been no gain in values,” says QV Valuer, Stephen Hare.

The new values don't change the total amount of rates collected, but the proportion of rates people pay on their property may change compared to other ratepayers.

If there are any changes to the amount of rates people pay, based on the new valuations, they won't come into effect until 1 July next year. Property owners will be informed of how the new valuations are likely to affect their rates payments closer to the time.

'The valuation based changes are a completely separate thing to the rates that are set by the Council in its Long Term Plan,” says Mayor Tregidga,

'We have no control over property valuations, which are prepared by QV and independently audited. We expect there will be a similar increase in property values in other nearby districts.”

'I understand that meeting rates payments can be difficult for some and our friendly customer services team is always happy to discuss rates payment arrangements and options with you, including how to apply for a rates rebate.”

Property owners will receive an updated rating value for their property in the mail soon. Anyone that disagrees with their new property valuation has the right to object. The new values and objection forms are available on the HDC website www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz/valuation-2018

The close-off date for objections is 18 October 2018.