Auckland Council threatens further $30 million rates increase events fund

Auckland Council this week will vote on underwriting a $30 million events fund that could see rates rise a further 0.4 percent if the Government doesn’t allow them to charge a bed tax.

Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman Sam Warren said:

“Councillors have things completely backwards. They’ve just added an extra $300 million on top of last year’s revenue; cut some spending before demanding even more money.”

“Pleading poverty to government so they can host big events is ridiculous, but if they’re so desperate for $30 million, why not cut the $32-million-a-year food scrap bin programme? Less than a third of Aucklanders use the bins, and the scheme doesn’t even stack up environmentally either.”

“There will always be an excuse for more tax, but Auckland Council has only exploded in bureaucracy and costs. Let’s find savings, pay down debt, and lower the rates burden so we can actually afford to live in this increasingly unliveable city.”