The Auckland
Ratepayers’ Alliance is joining its sister
organisation, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, in
backing Phil Twyford’s call for the Government to abolish
Auckland Council’s Rural Urban Boundary to alleviate
Auckland’s housing affordability crisis. Spokesperson, Jo
Holmes, says:
“This policy would stop Auckland Council
from forcing upon communities intensification which the
communities don’t want. Cutting the red tape means that
Aucklanders, not bureaucrats, can weigh up the costs and
decide whether to build up, or build out.”
“So long as
the Council doesn’t sneakily use them as a cash cow, we
are attracted to the idea of paying for service
infrastructure by using long term bond financing paid back
by targeted rates applying to the developments which
benefit. That means existing ratepayers aren’t left with
the bill and avoids the Council having an excuse not to
build out.”
“From a ratepayer’s perspective, this is
a very good policy. We hope the Government, or the current
Council, will adopt
it.”
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