Friday 25th Jun 1999
Richard Prebble
Media Release -- Economy
Wellington rates rise unacceptable - Prebble
Wellington Central MP Richard Prebble has slammed the city's rates rise.
"At a time of nil inflation, Wellington City Council's 10% rate rise comes straight out of households' budgets and
businesses' bottom line," Mr Prebble said.
"How can the Tararua District Council, responsible for New Zealand's fourth largest district roading area, reduce its
rates by half a percent while Wellington can see inflation that no-one else can, that requires them to increase rates by
10%?
"The rates rise is coupled with an increase in user charges means Wellingtonians are being hit with a double whammy.
"It's simply not acceptable for Council to hold rates in election year then increase them the year following .
"If the Council hadn't ignored professional advice to sell its interests in the airport, we could have had a nil rates
increase," Mr Prebble said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.