MEDIA RELEASE 28 April 2004

Statement from David Thornton

DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR AUCKLAND CITY RATEPAYERS

TOTAL COUNCIL RATES COULD DRIVE RATEPAYERS FROM THEIR HOMES.

Although the RatesRebellion campaign has been about the ARC rates we are also concerned about the effect of total rates on individual ratepayers throughout the region.

Auckland City Council ratepayers will be badly affected when the council reduces its current CBD business differential from 2.74 down to 1.8, as outlined in the Long Term Council Community Plan, entitled Focus on the Future, currently out for public consultation

The first stage of this turnaround is proposed for the new financial year and will mean an average 4.1% increase for residential ratepayers.

This is on top of the huge ARC rate increase last year and a proposed further 3.2% increase in this year's rate.

The current mood of reducing rates for businesses while increasing rates for residential ratepayers is unsustainable.

Many Auckland residents may be forced out of their homes as they will be unable to afford the combined rates bills from two councils, plus water rates.

ends

Contact, campaign spokesman, DAVID THORNTON [Chairman of the Glenfield Ratepayers] email david@Kandu.co.nz RatesRebellion website is www.ratesrebellion.org.nz

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