Unhappy residents feel misled over 'devious' rates hike

Organisers say the increases represent a broken promise from Mayor Len Brown, who campaigned on holding rates to 2.5 per cent. Photo / Natalie Slade

A 9.9 per cent average rates rise for Auckland households from July is going down badly with residents and ratepayer groups.

Several groups believe the council sprang a targeted rate for transport on ratepayers without fairly signalling it during consultation on the new 10-year budget.

"We do feel misled," said St Heliers Glendowie Residents Association acting chairman Mike Walsh. He said the consultation material focused on two options to increase spending on transport - a motorway toll or petrol tax - "and any reference to a targeted rate was pretty well hidden".

On April 30, Mayor Len Brown announced plans for a targeted rate of $114 for every household to top up spending on transport.

The impact of the targeted rate is to increase the average general rates of 4.2 per cent for households to an overall increase of 9.9 per cent.

"We are not very happy at all," said Val Payne, chairwoman of the Mangere Bridge Residents and Ratepayers Association. She said the combined impact of rates and other factors, such as revaluations, was a 16.9 per cent average rates rise for households in Mangere Bridge.

Maureen Forrester, of the Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association, said she did not think the transport rate and overall household rates rise to 9.9 per cent were fairly signalled in the consultation material.

"The doubling of the transport levy to that which was consulted on is not acceptable and very devious of Mr Brown," Ms Forrester said.

The full consultation document included plans for a "possible transport targeted rate" of $58.99 for every property or at varying levels based on values.

A summary of the consultation document sent to every household outlined the options of a motorway toll or a fuel tax and higher rates to fix Auckland's transport problems.

It went on to say: "Under either funding option a targeted rate may also be required for 2015/2016", and encouraged people to read the full consultation document.

Mr Brown said the council consulted extensively with Aucklanders and was clear the user charge options would require government legislation and support but a targeted rate would be needed in the interim.

"There was a clear preference for the option of a motorway toll as the best way to pay for this investment," he said. "Council is working with Government to seek support for that option. In the interim we will deliver part of this much-needed additional investment through a transport levy [rate] over the next three years."

Aucklanders told:
•"Under either funding option [motorway toll or a fuel tax/higher rates] a targeted rate may also be required for 2015/2016" - summary of document sent to households
•"Possible transport targeted rate" of $58.99 for every property or based on property values - full consultation document