Statement From David Thornton

Bus Lane And Parking Fines Revenue Gathering Is Not An Acceptable Substitute To Avoid Council Rates Increases.

Auckland City Council has once again been caught out in a desperate attempt to raise additional income instead of applying itself to the real cause of its financial problems – its constant failure to cut costs, and lack of control over expenditure.

This same council has previously tried to gather revenue by requiring Metrowater to pay a dividend – effcctively using a profit on water rates to pay for other council activities.

Some councillors are now saying that increasing income from parking and other fines is one way of preventing excessive council rates increases.

This attitude reveals a total lack of real financial discipline – and this in-discipline is the root cause of the huge rate increases imposed by many councils across the country.

ENDS

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