Wellington Council Makes Sensible Decision on Charges

The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce is pleased with Wellington City Council’s decisions to abandon its proposed parking charges and to constrain its intended rate rises.

“The Council has done the right thing in not proceeding with the increase in parking fees and extension of chargeable times,” said Chamber CEO Ken Harris.

“This is a victory for common sense and it pleasing that the council is prepared to listen to well reasoned arguments. The Chamber was very critical of the logic behind the planned increase when first announced.

“A vibrant city centre is one of Wellington’s strongest attractions but the parking charges would have driven people away and done considerable damage to local businesses.

“We are also pleased that the council has reviewed its spending program and reduced its proposed rate rise. It originally proposed a 4.4% average increase but this has been reduced to 3.67%.

“The increase is reasonably well constrained given the challenges faced by the council but in the difficult economic environment such a large increase was simply unacceptable.

“Wellington is at a critical point in its economic development. It is crucial that that sensible, business friendly decisions hare made. We can all be very pleased that the council recognises this as reflected in today’s decisions,” Mr Harris concluded.

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