Greg Moyle Business Friendly?

Affordable Auckland candidate for Waitemata & Gulf Stephen Berry says his opponent Greg Moyle is being disingenous by claiming he is the only business friendly candidate standing for the ward, as reported by the NZ Herald. “Affordable Auckland’s five point plan for lower rates, spending, borrowing, property rights and affordable housing is clearly the most business friendly model on offer to voters in Waitemata & Gulf.”

Stephen Berry says his ticket’s plan for genuine rates cuts in Auckland clearly makes him stand apart from the other candidates. “While most candidates on the centre-right talk about keeping rates increases below inflation or placing a cap on rates, Affordable Auckland goes one step further. We are pledging actual genuine cuts in the percentage of property values being taxed by the Council. How much is Greg Moyle calling to cut rates by?”

Affordable Auckland is also calling for the Council to restrict its spending to only the core functions that are necessary for the city to function. “We support quality spending on the basics such as footpaths, rubbish collection, stormwater and libraries. Greg Moyle has championed spending on arts galleries, a bathing complex and Q Theatre. While businesses struggle with annually increasing rates increases, Mr. Moyle’s track record of spending is hardly business friendly.”

“With his history of supporting frivolous spending projects, I wonder about Grey Moyle’s commitment to getting borrowing under control? With borrowing levels currently exceeding rates revenue and a $1.2 billion line of credit stretching over the next year, I wonder whether he has a plan to eliminate borrowing? As the borrowing of today will lead to the higher rates of tomorrow, it seems like the only business friendly position to hold.”

“Private property rights are the basic foundation necessary for commerce to excel. A business friendly candidate would be fighting for the rights of property owners to have as much sovereignty over their land as practical, provided it does not infringe upon their neighbours right to do the same.
Mr. Moyle’s positions on heritage suggest to me that private property rights are not high on his agenda.”

“Finally, having a real plan for affordable housing is not only good for residents but it is also very good for business. It creates more jobs as construction accelerates and brings more consumers into the region. Right wing central planning will do no more to solve this issue than left wing central planning. If Mr. Moyle is as business friendly as he claims, I’m sure his positions on flexible zoning, streamlined consents, reducing the rights of non-affected parties to object to development and abolition of the urban boundary will mirror my own.”

Stephen Berry is also standing as a candidate for Mayor of Auckland and Waitemata Local Board. Other Affordable Auckland candidates are Niko Kloeten, Franklin ward and Franklin (Pukekohe) Local Board; Peter Chan, Waitakere ward and Heidi Bale, Whau Local Board..

ENDS

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