The online rating database is a public register of property information. The free site asks users to input a street name and number. Information is then displayed about the property from the Council’s rating database and includes current and proposed valuation details.

Christchurch City Council customer services project manager Joan Blatchford says the site will give all web users the ability to look up information themselves, saving customers time and hassle. Anyone can also access the site free of charge at any of the Christchurch City Libraries.

"The rates online project is an eCouncil initiative designed to make property information more accessible. In the past, people had to either phone or come into the Council and manually look through rating books for this information."

She says the website will make it easier for people to judge whether their proposed revaluation is fair by comparing it with other revaluations in their area. People have until December 22 to object to the revaluation of their property.

The site also links through to related rates information on the Council website, and to the website of Quotable Value New Zealand, who conduct the rating valuations on behalf of the Council and handle any objections.