Rates Revolt: Besieged leader backed

While ARC chairwoman Gwen Bull wins some sympathy for being in the firing line, many ratepayers continue to fume over the size of her council's rate rise

Readers' feedback

It seems to me that there are four reasons for the rates increases.

First, the overall increased take of 27 per cent by the ARC, mostly for public transport, which I completely support. I am tempted to ask the people protesting against the rates why transport in general is so bad in Auckland. Is it because they didn't pay their share for all of the previous decades?

Second, the removal of the business rates differential. Businesses have carried the rest of us for so long, it's about time we paid our share.

Third, the change in rating systems from land to capital. Land or capital seems to make little difference - the rich pay more and the poor pay less.

Fourth, the revaluation. I have no sympathy for those whose properties have increased beyond the regional average. So your valuation has gone up $100,000 and your rates by $100? Excuse me for not feeling too distraught for you.

By all means let's revisit the rating process. Let's go back to the old level of funding for the ARC. I hope the greedy bludgers who want this are prepared to face the public backlash for no substantial improvements in public transport in the next 10 years.

Vox populi? Vox humbug!

James Graham

* * *

Here in the rural south, ARC rates have gone up steeply and yes, there is anger too.

But there is no call for the outpouring of highly personalised abuse directed at Gwen Bull. She is our local ARC councillor and there is no elected representative more approachable or straight dealing.

The decision to combine the new direct rating (imposed by central Government) with massive new transport expenditure, without any fresh electoral mandate and with inadequate consultation, was clearly ill judged. But the decision was not solely Gwen Bull's.

Much of our anger should be directed at our Labour Government, which enacted new legislation for local government but retained an unfair rating system.

Nor should we forget our local councils who, far from decreasing their rate demands proportionate to the now-removed ARC levies, actually whacked on extra charges.

R. Dawson (a ratepayer association chairman)

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What do you take us for, Gwen? Do you believe we have any confidence in your worthless promises? You recently said: "We are committed to working with the regional community through the current year and will take into account all issues of public concern in planning for our rating process next year and developing our first long-term community plan. We look forward to working with your council and the various community organisations on the North Shore during this process."

If you are sincere in being prepared to listen to us then do it NOW!

Meanwhile, enjoy the $20,000-plus wage rise you just got (I'd be lucky to get the same increase after 10 years of service) - oh, and of course let's not forget your all-expenses-paid trip (by us, the ratepayers) for you to jet off to Sydney to try to find out just how you can continue to pull the wool over our eyes!

Karen Baldock

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Our ARC rates, on a "lifestyle block" out of Warkworth, have gone from $92.93 (2002) to $165.28 (2003) - a 78 per cent increase.

But the ARC increase should be seen in context. It is only 4.8 per cent on our total combined 2003 rates bill from Rodney District Council and the ARC.

We think the ARC has managed this process very badly as a PR exercise, but strongly support the work they do.

We are more annoyed by senseless votes at public meetings to "abolish the ARC".

Regional councils are a critical local government function. Seven "unitary authorities" in the region would be far more expensive and much less effective.

Warwick & Hueline Massey

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While I do not live in Auckland, I do feel sympathy for those faced with the proposed ARC increases. Here in Wellington the regional council charges are based on capital values. This year my wife and I are paying $255.21 (including GST) on a property with a capital value of $245,000.

Basically I liken such charges as legalised theft. Year after year our rates are increased and the services provided appear to me to decrease.

It is time that those people who set these taxes (and yes they are a tax as far as I am concerned) remember that we are not bottomless money pits that they can plunder at will.

The people of Auckland need to stand up and fight these increases now. Next year will be much too late.

Mike Harper

* * *

It appears the ARC treats ratepayers like a cash cow, a bottomless source of readily available liquidity for some grandiose public transport and other infrastructure projects.

It is good to see Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard has entered into the fray, warning the likes of the ARC of the serious economic consequences of their increases.

Ralph Taylor

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The news that Gwen Bull and her fellow councillor Ian Bradley are off to Sydney "to learn from the experiences" of a city 15 years ahead of Auckland only suggests that the ARC hasn't learnt anything from the current rates debacle.

Might I suggest that Ms Bull and Mr Bradley would benefit personally from meeting former councillors of the Warringah Council, sacked last week by the state government of New South Wales?

Christopher Thompson

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I think the sudden ARC rates bill is absolutely appalling!

We already pay rates to our local councils, which includes an ARC levy. Why change? This is just more greedy revenue-collecting.

I would like to see an email petition set up so people could voice their opinion directly to the ARC.

Alice Lennon

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I am absolutely outraged at the rates increase. Why should ratepayers be the only ones to pay for a public transport upgrade?

A fairer solution would have been a slight increase in rates and an increase in petrol tax, with the rest coming from the pockets of those who use the transport. Being a Pakuranga resident, I sympathise with residents on the North Shore as we too will not benefit from trains.

Thank you for your article advising the location of protest meetings.

Carolyne Adshead

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We have ignored the transport system in Auckland for far too long. We have an opportunity to do something about it, and some people are being terribly shortsighted and possibly selfish in their approach.

Some day our attitudes must change (cars as a status symbol, oil will last forever, to name two), and we will need the basic foundations of a good transport system when they do.

The ARC needs to hold its ground for the sake of all Aucklanders and yes, our environment for now and tomorrow. No fancy stuff, just deliver what we need.

Keith Cook

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Interesting that the majority of people complaining are pensioners.

It is that type of short-term thinking that has derailed every plan to try to get Auckland moving.

Good on you, ARC, for making a stand, no matter how politically unpopular it is. I support any policy to get Auckland moving.

Ignore the critics, if they have their way we will still be in the same predicament in 10 years' time.

David Talitu

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