NoMoreRates.com
THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF COUNCIL RATES WITH A FAIRER SYSTEM INCLUDING RESTRAINTS ON COUNCILS ABILITY TO INCREASE EXPENDITURE WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC APPROVAL OF THE COMMUNITY
www.NoMoreRates.com

CONTACT David Thornton david@kandu.co.nz  [09] 443 5302 mob 0274 831 825 fax [09] 443 6771
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10 November 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

Statement from founder/organiser David Thornton.

Stadium Non-Decision Still Leaves Ratepayers Guessing

In announcing the Government’s preference for a waterfront stadium Minister Mallard has still not given a definitive picture of how the Stadium will be funded.

He did say it will be a ‘mix of revenues’ which does seem to include levies on tourist and accommodation businesses, and special Lotteries.

NoMoreRates.com has previously suggested these options and therefore supports the Government moves in that direction.

However Mr. Mallard has not ruled out ratepayer funding – and Finance Minister Cullen has repeatedly said that ‘Auckland must contribute’.

Public comment so far, to talkback radio and newspaper website comment columns, is pretty heavily against the waterfront proposal – and is certainly against ratepayer funding.

The minister has asked for comments from Auckland City Council and the ARC, and NoMoreRates will be writing to those councils demanding that they tell the minister that there will be no rates funding from their councils.

It is the government’s responsibility to cost all alternatives and to say how those costs will be funded.

Until that information is made public it will not be possible for either Auckland City Council or the ARC to make meaningful comments on the alternatives.

When it comes to spending public money the public, which provides that money, have a right to be informed and consulted.

Come clean Mr. Mallard and tell us what you have in mind.

ends

© Scoop Media

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