New Information Casts Doubt on Cost of Proposed Council Chamber

The Ratepayers’ Alliance, which last night revealed secret plans to construct a new council chamber 400 metres from the existing one at Auckland Town Hall, is calling the Council out on what appears to be hood-winking on the true cost of the proposal.

Spokesperson, Jo Holmes, says:

“When the Ratepayers’ Alliance was leaked a copy of the options presented to Councillors, the Council refused to release the cost information citing commercial sensitivity. Our expert believes the cost will be between $4.5 and $10 million, but a Council’s spokesperson told One News yesterday that the cost will only be between $1 and $3 million."

“We have since learned that the $1 to $3 million figure given to the public is much lowerthan what officials told Councillors in the secret presentation. The Council spokesperson has either made a mistake, been misled by someone else in the Council information black hole, or has deliberately misled the Auckland public.”

“Whatever it is, ratepayers are sick of the culture of secrecy at Auckland Council. The Mayor should clarify the amount, and retract any falsity or deceit in the statement."

ENDS

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