Capital value rates is regressive, disincentives development in the right places, and rewards landbanking. Land value rates can switch that around.
Repeal fixed charges
Many councils have 'fixed charges' which function as poll taxes. This punishes denser developments which have many units using the same infrastructure.
"LVR represents a fantastic opportunity to grow a compact, green city. More productive use of land, community benefits from a virtuous cycle of infrastructure investment, and lower rates rises for working people - it's a no-brainer!"
Geordie Rogers
President of Renters United
"In the middle of a housing crisis we need to be building houses, not keeping empty parking lots. Land shouldn’t be used to build wealth, it should be used to house thriving communities. LVR shifts our framing of land away from profit to people. Renters, families and our wider community will benefit from that."
Dr. Tim Helm
Prosper Australia
"Land value is a fairer rating base, because it's based on the value a landowner could be deriving from the infrastructure and services council provides for them, whether they use those or not. Unlike capital value, rating it doesn't subsidise those who underuse their land relative to its potential."
Prof. Arthur Grimes
VUW School of Government
"Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics William Vickrey, once commented that a tax on land is 'one of the best taxes' and a tax on improvements is 'one of the worst taxes'. A switch from a capital value base to a land value base for rates enhances both efficiency and equity."