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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
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28 November 2006

Auditor-General Asked To Rule on Minister’s Power to Make Ratepayers Pay for Eden Park Upgrade..

ARC Told to Stick to its Guns on ‘No Rates’ Decision.

In media interviews yesterday Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard indicated that ratepayers may ultimately have to meet some of the costs associated with upgrading Eden Park.

NoMoreRates has this morning emailed the Auditor-General seeking his advice as to whether a government minister has the power to force ratepayers to contribute to the project under current legislation

David Thornton, founder of the NoMoreRates campaign, said this morning, “The ARC has already said it will not contribute ratepayer funds to the project and I expect the regional council to have the moral fortitude to stick to its guns on the funding issue”.

“ In any event the ARC cannot promise any funds unless it goes through the LTCCP process and consults regional ratepayers as required by the Local Government Act.

“This same proviso applies to any proposal by North Shore City Council in relation to North Harbour Stadium.

“This need for consultation is at the heart of the legal action by five Auckland ratepayers which is due to be heard in the High Court on 11th December”.

ENDS

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