CROMWELL RATEPAYER'S BILL INCLUDES $400 FOR 'STRATEGIC VIBES', COUNCIL SAYS THAT'S CORRECT
The line item sits between kerbside and water. Nobody at QLDC can explain it.
A Cromwell ratepayer opening her quarterly bill on Tuesday found a $400 charge labelled 'strategic vibes'. It sat between the kerbside fee and the water levy, with no explanation.
Ratepayer Yvonne Paterson, 58, said she'd read it three times before ringing her sister. "I thought it was a typo. Then I thought it was a scam. In 1974 a rates bill said 'rates' on it. Now it says vibes."
A Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesperson confirmed the charge was legitimate. It formed part of a piece of work on 'community-facing sentiment alignment', delivered by a Wellington consultancy they declined to name.
Pressed on what the $400 bought, the spokesperson said deliverables were 'ongoing' and included 'a framework, a workshop, and a shared vocabulary'. Asked to see the framework, they said it was 'internal'.
Paterson's neighbour, Rangi Whatarau, checked his own bill and found the same charge. "Four hundred bucks. For vibes. I've had vibes for free my whole life, mate. Had them in 1974. Nobody sent me an invoice."
The consultancy has been engaged for a second phase, reportedly titled 'Vibes: Phase Two'. Paterson is not paying.
More yarns from Cromwell Council Chaos
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Reader Letters
★ BarryBishopdale
What bloody nonsense! 'Strategic vibes'? Back in my day, rate bills were straightforward. Wouldn't have happened in '94.
ropeable_dave
@BarryBishopdale, I reckon the council would charge for sunlight if they could. Bloody racket!
JoannePetone
Honestly, I can't believe the council is spending ratepayers' money like this. What a piss-take!
wayne1987
Mate, if I wanted vibes I'd listen to the radio. What's next, a 'soulful essence' fee?
couchgremlin
Lol.
★ Margaret_F
In our day, a bill was a bill, not a cryptic crossword. Gerald would've had words about this.
fiona_musgrove
Wasn't 'strategic vibes' a band in the 80s? Sounds like something out of a bad infomercial.
★ Garry (Halswell)
I'd love to see the framework. Sounds like it might include some wallpaper and a lava lamp.
★ Trev_Hornby
Council's gone mad. First it's the real estate agents, now it's vibes. What's next, charging for air?
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