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Time to cap rate rises in Northland and beyond


TIme to cap rate rises in Northland and beyond

Press release: ACT New Zealand
March 18, 2015. 4:20pm

Massive rate increases will not happen anywhere under ACT, said Northland candidate Robin Grieve today.

Grieve was responding to the announcement by the Whangarei District Council that ratepayers could face increases of over 9% for one year and further ongoing increases of 2% above inflation, as reported in the Northern Advocate.

"These increases are outrageous. The power to levy rates is an extraordinary power we give to councils and it must not be abused," said Mr Grieve.

"The best way to protect ratepayers from rate abuse by councils is to fetter council powers. ACT campaigned at the last election on limiting the ability of councils to increase rates by more than the rate of inflation. As an MP, I would will introduce a private members bill to do that.

"This will place the same expansionary limits on Council that all individuals and businesses live with.

"The Whangarei District Council has suggested the rate increase as one option, with reduced services another. The best option, which is to improve efficiency, was not considered by the Council.

"Efficient local governance will only be achieved by limiting the powers of councils to continually levy us with higher and higher rates."

ENDS

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