25 May 2004

Ratepayers protest letters must be considered during this year's rate setting process.

Rates Rebellion spokesman David Thornton today urged the Auckland Regional Council to include a business differential into the rates system for the coming financial year.

David Thornton was speaking to his submission to the ARC's Long Term Council Community Plan [LTCCP] which will fix the rates for the year commencing 1st July/

Mr Thornton told the council "In your deliberations on this plan in respect of rating issues - especially the revenue policy - I urge you to give every consideration to the thousands of letter, emails and faxes you received during the ratepayers rebellion.

I also ask you to give consideration to the two petitions handed to you last September which contained 40,000 signatures.

And I believe you must also take into consideration the actions by tens of thousands of ratepayers who withheld all or part of their rates - including those who continue to do so.

Your own surveys and research have told you that residential ratepayers want the return of business differentials and a clear recognition of 'ability to pay' when it comes to setting rates for the new year".

ENDS

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