“Auckland Regional Council proposes 6% rate increase”

April 7, 2000

The Auckland Regional Council is proposing a $4million increase in rate allocation across the region for the financial year July 2000/ June 2001.

Auckland Regional Council Chairman, Philip Warren, says that the bulk of this increase in expenditure can be attributed to the proposed increase in spend in the areas of transport and environmental management and heritage.

“All Aucklanders, be they in rural or urban Auckland, know that the major impacts of growth are increased travel frustrations, and increased demands on the environment,” says Mr Warren. “It is these areas our Council proposes to focus the increase in expenditure on.”

The Council is proposing to spend an additional $3million in the area of transport, and an additional $1million in environmental management and heritage.”

Mr Warren says that the Council is committed to ensuring that the region remains an attractive place for Aucklanders to live and work, however he points out that with a population increase of around 20,000 people per year to the region, increased expenditure to effectively management this level of growth is required.

“In some parts of the region the average rate increase per assessment could be as low as $3.20, while the biggest average rate increase per assessment will still be less than $17.”

The draft Annual Plan will be open for public submissions from May 1 until June 1. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of the draft Annual Plan should call 0800 80 60 40 or visit the Council’s website at www.arc.co.nz.
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For further information please call:
Mr Philip Warren, Chairman, Tel 366 2000 extn 7111

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