We need government cash says ARC leader

By BERNARD ORSMAN and ALAN PERROTT

Embattled Auckland Regional Council chairwoman Gwen Bull says the Government is forcing local councils to do more without providing extra money.

The ARC, which this year raised rates by as much as 500 per cent, has to provide more services to address Auckland's growing problems.

"Where do we go?" said Mrs Bull.

"Congestion is costing Auckland $1 billion a year. The Government has not put money into roading.

"Take the rail system. [The Government] sold it.

"There has been under-investment in that system for years. Just to service the operations into Britomart is 5 per cent on rates."

Mrs Bull said if people did not want rates increases "we stay with clapped-out trains, we stay with no more buses, we stay with no more ferries, we stay with no more development, we stay with $1 billion a year in congestion".

Her comments came as MPs met local body politicians yesterday to sort through the fallout from the ARC rates rebellion.

ARC representatives cited other commitments and declined to attend, but those present said it was a useful meeting even though nothing was achieved to cheer those grumbling over enormous rates bills.

The meeting in Takapuna attracted Auckland-based MPs from every party except the Greens.

Act MP Rodney Hide hoped it would be the first step in a multi-party approach to dealing with Auckland's transport issues.

"We have made a commitment to meet again, but unfortunately that doesn't give immediate relief to ratepayers," he said.


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