ARC Third And Final Letter Brings Crunch Time For Ratepayers

The Auckland Regional Council has just sent out its 'Third and Final' letter demanding that ratepayers pay immediately any outstanding rates and penalties.

Throughout the Rebellion campaign we have consistently advised ratepayers of the likely consequences of withholding all ar part of their rates.

It is now widely acknowledged that the Rebellion campaign has achieved a great deal so far and we now need to consider what are our options as we approach crunch time in terms of paying or not. OPTIONS FOR RATE REBELS

1. Pay in full all outstanding rates, including any penalties, by 30th June 2004.

2. Pay all rates except penalty, if one had been applied. A further 10% will be added to the amount outstanding - i.e. the 10% will be charged on the penalty only. A further 10% will be added after 1st January 2005 if still unpaid.

3. For those who have not paid anything - pay same as previous year (2002/3) plus 10%. Penalty will probably still be applied - and other methods of recovery may be implemented

4 Continue to withold all or part payment - additional 10% penalty will be applied after 1st July. ARC can implement any actions set out in the third letter.

Amoing the actions ARC can take is to write to your mortgagee. We advise that anyone with a mortagage, who is withholding rates, should immediately write to their bank and explain that they are protesting by withholding rates and requesting that the bank take no action until legally required to do so after 1st November. For rebel ratepayers who do not have a mortgage the council does have the power to commence court action for recovery of unpaid rates as a debt.

Ultimately we all have to pay legally imposed rates - they question of 'When' must now be faced by all rebel ratepayers.

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