The Mayor is again proposing to spend far more than this city can afford.

The Auckland Mayor’s budget is a smoke and mirrors exercise by lowering the rates increase from 3.5% to 2.5% - and then imposing a Targeted Transport fixed rate of $99 for residents and $159 for businesses.

The Mayor is giving with one hand and taking back with the other.

The Mayor is again proposing to spend far more than this city can afford.

The two alternatives to rates increases are, spend less and cut out waste.

Neither of these are apparent in the Mayor’s budget

The real issue for Auckland is the Mayor’s total obsession with the Central Rail Link and his wish that that the project be started before the Government is prepared to consider paying a half share of the cost.

The Mayor is proposing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few years on the CRL – but, after three years trying, he cannot find any alternative funding other than rates.

The CRL does not need to be started for another three years and the millions saved by not spending on the CRL would mean other transport needs could be funded without applying this proposed additional Targeted Transport Rate..

The Mayor needs to realise that he has been spending for more than the community is prepared to pay – and cutting spending and cutting waste are the alternative to rates increases.
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