NoMoreRates
THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF COUNCIL RATES WITH A FAIRER SYSTEM WHICH REFLECTS ABILITY TO PAY AND VALUE FOR MONEY.

City Council Bad Decisions Are Costing Ratepayers Millions.

Annual Plan Will Need To Be Re-Written

North Shore City’s long-suffering ratepayers face huge increases in the coming financial year unless the council makes substantial cuts to it spending programme over the next few years.

The High Court ruling that the council’s development contribution policy is illegal means that at least $21 million of development contributions earmarked to pay for Busway stations, parks and reserves, will no longer be available.

The options open to the councils are, to borrow the funds – with repayments being met from rates; to cut back on these and other capital projects; or reduce services currently paid for from rates.

The council has, in recent years, amassed an appalling record of wasting ratepayers money through bad decision-making.

The recent case on development contributions will have high legal costs attached. in addition to the long-term effects on the ten-year City Plan.

The fiasco surrounding the replacement of Birkenhead library continues – with significant financial cost to ratepayers.

Two major planning fiascos – the Fox Centre in Akoranga Drive and the Glenfield Pak ‘N Save supermarket – will have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars already for legal and consultant fees plus staff time.

Still to come are claims in the ‘leaky home’ saga – and the council has made no provision in its annual plan for any costs which might arise.

The draft annual plan has only just been issued – and, as a direct result of the development contribution decision, the plan is meaningless and will need to be rewritten. Â At more cost to the ratepayers.

Ends

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