Have your say on animal control and food licensing fees and charges

Managing animals and ensuring places you go to eat are clean and hygienic are important aspects of keeping the Taupō District community safe.

Taupō District Council is reviewing its fees and charges for these activities and now the community has an opportunity to provide feedback.

Policy advisor Andrew Wilson said the need for animal control was primarily generated by those who owned animals. However, the community benefits from the council’s animal control officers collecting those animals off the street or taking possession of aggressive animals that have attacked people.

“These activities are funded by the fees paid by owners as well as rates to reflect the benefits to the community as a whole and to those who generate the need for it,” he said.

Council is proposing increases of $10 to $15 per year for dog registration.

“The fees for dog registration and animal control haven’t moved much over the last decade which has led to a shortfall from dog registration fees.

“This means that rates have had to fund the shortfall. We understand times are tough for our community and that cost increases hurt, but this shortfall can’t keep being placed onto rates. We want to make sure the costs are fairly divided between dog owners and the wider community.”

Meanwhile, the proposed changes to fees for food licensing represent increased costs for council, as well as the fact council has been undercharging for officers’ time in the food licensing space.

“While there are benefits to community health, the cost of this activity needs to be fairly split between the community and places handling food. That's why we're also proposing new fees that will better cover officers' time,” Mr Wilson said.

Consultation on the proposed changes to fees and charges is now open and closes on Friday 3 May. You can have your say at www.taupo.govt.nz/haveyoursay, by emailing feesandcharges@taupo.govt.nz, or dropping your submission form into a Customer and Visitor Information Centre in Taupō, Tūrangi, or Mangakino.