Calm at ARC masks rates storm

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Polite tones belied anger and frustration at the Auckland Regional Council's headquarters yesterday.

From north, west and south of Auckland they came, leaders of ratepayer groups clutching bundles of papers with signatures scrawled over them.

All together they dropped the bundles on the tiled floor of the ARC foyer.

The resulting thump made them grin - as if it were the measure of the depth of feeling of the 40,000 people who signed the petition protesting about the ARC levies.

Their smiles endured for the arrival of council chairwoman Gwen Bull.

The diminutive Mrs Bull appeared calm as she heard out the deputation and the sting of their criticism of her and the six councillors who voted for this year's rates increases.

In a soft, steady voice she thanked the sombre-suited petition bearers for their "time and trouble".

The petitions demanded resetting of this year's rates, which involved increased rates bills of up to 657 per cent.

Mrs Bull stood firm and told the petitioners: "We can't go back."

She said the council had listened to the people before setting the rate last June.

People had said they wanted better public transport .

However it was now obvious they did not wish to pay for it.

They would get the chance to help the council sort out "a more equitable way" next month in a series of public meetings to review transport rating.

The deputation remained polite.

But one of them answered back.

"You can't tell that to people struggling on pensions, benefits and fixed incomes - that this is to be the rate," said John Drury, Orewa Ratepayers chairman.

Mr Drury, who kicked off the regional rates revolt last July, said he was still getting phone calls from elderly Rodney residents asking what could they do about their rates bills.

Mrs Bull had no understanding of such people to suggest they apply to have penalty rates for late payment varied or special rates remissions.

"These people have pride. You can't take that away from them," he said.

"There are hundreds of them out there ...

"I won't accept that there is nothing the ARC can do about it."

He said the ARC should look to the Government to pay for the region's transport woes.

The petition raised in Rodney District was signed by 12,500 people.

A petition from a wider area and bearing 27,416 signatures was presented by David Thornton, who is Glenfield Ratepayers chairman.

He said the regional ratepayers rebellion would continue on behalf of those who signed the petition, the hundreds who had sent letters of dispute and protest to the council, and those who were refusing to pay their rates.

* The review of the transport rates, which make up 57 per cent of the ARC demand, includes open days at various venues and a questionnaire for householders.