1 October 2013

Media release – Councillor Penny Webster

For immediate use

Extending berm cutting too costly

The cost to roll out berm cutting to the whole region would be between $12-15 million per annum and represents an extra 1 per cent increase on rates, at a time when household budgets are tight, says the chair of Auckland Council's Strategy & Finance Committee.

A berm mowing service costing $3 million per year was only provided for by the old Auckland City Council area. None of the other six pervious councils mowed berms, unless there was a hazard involved, and the councils worked with adjacent landowners to ensure local streets were maintained.

"The rest of the region has always just got on with it and mowed their own berms because local people have taken pride in their local community. It's disappointing that candidates and councillors from the old Auckland City Council area are complaining something the rest of the region has done without much fuss," says Penny Webster.

"At the same time, those candidates continuously call for rate reductions. You cannot have it both ways.

"It's even worse when they argue that Auckland City areas should continue to have their berms mowed by being subsidised by the rest of us.

"I'm very appreciative of the people I represent in Rodney who look after their berms and take pride in their local community. I hope people in Auckland City see it the same way, because we cannot afford to roll out berm mowing to the whole region.

"The simple fact is that the region has gone through major changes since amalgamation. It's not fair that one area gets berm mowing, while other areas mow their own. Council had to make things even without increasing rates even more. Trying to score political points off that in election year is disappointing."

Ends

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