Prudent planning keeps city levies down, says Curtis

Barry Curtis

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis defends Manukau City's rates increases, saying "sensible and prudent long-term planning" by the council has kept them low.

Manukau rates are estimated to rise by an average of 5.9 per cent - the lowest in the Auckland region.

"Good planning and good thinking have put us in a very strong position where we do not have to play catch-up, unlike some other cities where there has been under-investment for a long time," Sir Barry said yesterday.

"The council has [for decades] used statutory and other financial contributions to pay for much of the city's infrastructure, including parks, upgrading roads, and major water and drainage lines."

But the increases worry some Manukau pensioners, who have said they may be forced to sell their homes.

Counties-Manukau Grey Power secretary Leone D'Ott told the Herald rising rates and the council's new $300 uniform annual general charge were hitting the elderly hard.

"It will be harder because these people are on fixed incomes. I have heard some superannuitants saying if it goes up any more they will be forced to sell up because they are not able to make it."

Sir Barry said that this year, 85 per cent of ratepayers would be paying within a range of $200 plus or minus last year's rate.

"I am proud of what we have achieved for the residents of the city.

"If we had neglected to think ahead we would be struggling to keep our rates rises low because there would be so much pressure to pay for costly infrastructure and high-quality community services now."

Sir Barry said he sympathised with ratepayers in other regions who had been hit with large rates increases.

"I also feel huge sympathy for [Auckland City Mayor] Dick Hubbard, who has been criticised ... and I don't want this rates controversy to envelop Manukau.

"I think Manukau ratepayers have to be very realistic and appreciate their rates are the lowest in Auckland.

"I'm very proud of our exceptional performance given the enormous pressures and growth we have faced as New Zealand's fastest-growing city."


What do you think?

The Herald is looking at how rates rises are hitting residents in cities throughout the Auckland region.

This week: Manukau.

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