Councillors Want to Hear from You

Councillors Sharon Stewart and Dick Quax will be available to listen to people who have are concerned about their rates increases.

While Mayor Len Brown has called the rates “fair” and claims that the increases are “just” 3.6% across the region many people Howick, Botany and Pakuranga are facing rate hikes many times higher than the average. The average in the Howick ward is nearly seven per cent.

“The mayor promised to keep rates at the rate of inflation, well inflation is less than two per cent,” said Cr Stewart, and we are concerned for people in our community who are already burdened by high rates.

“The mayor called Cr Quax and I “termites, do nothings and naysayers” for not supporting his big spending budget which includes the $2.86 billion city rail loop, $14m cruise ship terminal, $16m super yacht facility, free swimming pools for children 16 years and under, $10 m for a waterfront theatre just to name a few,” said Cr Stewart

Along with like-minded councillors Cr Stewart and Quax voted for an alternative budget which would have lowered the average rate down to 2.6% and an increase in the Uniform Charge.

The two councillors will be available to listen to rate payers concerns on Monday, 20th August and Wednesday 22nd August at the Pakuranga Library in the Pakuranga Plaza opposite from 10am until 2pm. They urge people to bring their latest rates demand and their previous demand.

ENDS

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