Arc Transport Rates Consultation A 'Con Job'

The ARC is again trying to dodge ratepayer input to its rates planning for next year.

The council has just announced that it will be holding 'open days' and workshops to talk about the 'transport' rates - but there is no mention of a similar plan for its rating policy option, such as land values, business differentials and uniform annual general charges.

It is these basic policies to which tens of thousand ratepayers are objecting in the Rebellion campaign- and they are demanding changes.

ARC chair Gwen Bull had promised a review of all rating issues this year, but this 'transport rates' consultation programme seems to rule that out.

This is a 'con job' by the ARC which it thinks will pacify its angry ratepayers.

Ratepayers will be furious if they are denied full participation in rates policy reviews - especially after the furore caused by this year's huge rates hike.

The transport rates alone have been a source of considerable concern with this years additional $30 million rate hike being largely spent on rail - the least accessible form of public transport in the region.

To add insult to injury the ARC's latest new bus route structure reveals a reduced service for the highly-rated North Shore ratepayers for services when the new Busway opens in 2006..

This was revealed at a North Shore City Council works committee meeting yesterday.

It has also been announced that the ARC has rejected any proposal for a separate transport organisation, and a new fight appears to be emerging between the ARC and the local councils who want a decision-making role in transport matters.

Regional ratepayers will not be impressed with the latest moves by the ARC.

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