CITIZENS AGAINST PRIVATISATION
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PRESS STATEMENT

Is Waitakere City Council Going To Listen To The Public?

(RE: ANNUAL PLAN 2007/2008)

WCC received 300 submissions towards its annual plan, of which 233 demanded a fairer rating system for the majority low to average property owners. Demanding the abolition of flat and user-pays charges, i.e. the UAGC, the flat wastewater charge and the stepped rate differential.

Meredydd Barrar says “The practical effect of these charges and the proposed increases (flat wastewater charge $350 to $378, UAGC from $600 to $648, rubbish bags $1.40 to $1.65) are equivalent to a substantial wage/pension decrease or the scrapping of the working for families’ package or a cut in benefits. Flat and user charges are already 80% or more of total rates for many thousands of Waitakere residents. In terms of the UAGC, the biggest companies pay exactly the same as one family.” Are councillors going to take heed or face losing their seats at this year’s election?

The vast majority of submitters have also called on WCC to reject Regional Government Proposals believing they will lead privatisation of water, roads, libraries and other essential services.

POINT OF REFERENCE

2006 WCC councillors voted for a flat wastewater charge $250 despite official advice that they would penalise low to average properties (see attachment 1).

Councillors Clow, Stone, Dallow, Flaunty, Gilmour, Harding, Cooper, Corban, Neeson and Mayor Harvey voted for the above.

Harvey, Stone and Dallow voted against a similar proposal in 2000. CAP condemns them as hypocrites.

ends

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