Media Release Thursday, 31 May 2007from Cr Dick Quax

Manukau Water lifts Rates by 9.4%

Councillors need to explain to the people of Manukau why they voted to increase water charges by 4.9% and waste water by 9.4% at an extra ordinary meeting of the Manukau City Council tonight according to Cr Dick Quax who voted against the increase.

Manukau Water Limited a council controlled organisation fully owned by council asked councillors to approve the increases.

“Manukau Water signed up to a Statement of Intent less than a year ago stating that any rises in the price of water and waste water would not exceed the rate of inflation. The rate of inflation is at 2.6% so to approve the rate rises at nearly 4 times the rate of inflation is a slap in the face of the Manukau water consumer”.

Last month the council voted to increase the director’s fees of Manukau Water Limited director by 40%.

“I was appalled by that and voted against it. After all this is a monopoly supplying a product that everyone needs.”

About 50% of Manukau residents earn less than $30,000 a year and over the next 12 months they are faced by four increases all imposed by local government; higher rates, higher water charges, higher waste water charges and 10 cents per litre petrol tax.

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