Councillors Cameron Brewer and Dick Quax indicated their support for his views, asking what Westfield would get for paying almost double its current rate bill.
Brady Nixon, Progressive Enterprises' development manager, said the supermarket business planned to spend $200 million, making it the country's single largest real estate developer. Yet it faced untenable increases which would hit projects such as Ponsonby's Soho.
"Auckland is competing with other New Zealand cities for a limited pool of investment. High development contributions will affect the viability of development in Auckland.
"Progressive has to consider development costs, rates and return on its investment when choosing to invest. The council is making investment in the city more difficult," Nixon complained.
Westfield and Progressive made a joint submission, headed by Russell McVeagh lawyer James Gardner-Hopkins.
The Warehouse complained about rising development contributions.
Carter Holt Harvey's general counsel, Denver Simpson, told how new wastewater charges would hurt the company's Penrose mill where costs would rise $900,000 - a 127 per cent increase on the previous year 's charges.
Goodman NZ accused the council of hurting businesses.
"It is not appropriate that business ratepayers subsidise residential ratepayers, which is the effect of the proposed rating system," its submission said.
Mighty River Power complained of a 30 per cent general rates increase.
"Is that fair and reasonable?" asked its planning manager, Stephen Colson.
Fulton Hogan Land Development, New Zealand Breweries, CDL Land New Zealand, Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing and Metlifecare also made submissions.
