FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12th AUGUST 2009
 
CAT ask Tauranga City Council to conduct a Rates Rise Survey.

CAT’s Rates rise survey attracted 674 responses from Tauranga citizens over the age of 18. Respondents voted overwhelmingly (87%) for rates rises to be limited to 6%. The survey clearly stated that a 6% rates rise would require a reduction in community assets and services being provided by the Tauranga City Council and a total review of council for productivity gains and cost cutting. REF: http://www.afford.co.nz/Survey.html

CAT understands the limitation of using a sample size of 674 responses to represent a population of 105,000 residents. However, the results send a strong message to Tauranga City Council their rate rise and spending plans are not supported by a large section of our community.

CAT’s survey is limited by availability of resources. CAT now challenges TCC to use their considerable resources and under-utilized workforce to conduct a neutral, peer reviewed rates rise survey to give the community more say on Rates increases. Wanganui and New Plymouth give their residents information and choices to allow the community to decide how much of their money to give to their respective Councils so why can’t TCC? Wanganui got an incredible response to their rates rise survey so TCC should adopt their survey format and methodology.

CAT will be asking the question above and many more questions for the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Rodney Hide to answer at the public meeting on Friday at 3:00pm. Location: Bureta Motor Inn; Tauranga, all Tauranga Citizens are invited to attend, gold coin entry fee.

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