25 May 2004
Ratepayers protest letters must be considered during this year's rate setting process.
Rates Rebellion spokesman David Thornton today urged the Auckland Regional Council to include a business differential
into the rates system for the coming financial year.
David Thornton was speaking to his submission to the ARC's Long Term Council Community Plan [LTCCP] which will fix the
rates for the year commencing 1st July/
Mr Thornton told the council "In your deliberations on this plan in respect of rating issues - especially the revenue
policy - I urge you to give every consideration to the thousands of letter, emails and faxes you received during the
ratepayers rebellion.
I also ask you to give consideration to the two petitions handed to you last September which contained 40,000
signatures.
And I believe you must also take into consideration the actions by tens of thousands of ratepayers who withheld all or
part of their rates - including those who continue to do so.
Your own surveys and research have told you that residential ratepayers want the return of business differentials and a
clear recognition of 'ability to pay' when it comes to setting rates for the new year".
ENDS