Rebellion Campaign Calling Meetings To Launch New Battle Against ARC Refusal To Change Rates Policy.

The ongoing campaign against the Auckland Regional Council's rating policies will step up a gear following the decision by the ARC to retain the status quo as its rating policy for the coming financial year.

The Rebellion is making arrangements to hold public meetings in all parts of the Region starting with Orewa, North Shore, Waitakere City and Manukau City.

The meetings will be held commencing at the end of March to coincide with the issue of the ARC's Draft Annual Plan for 2004/5

The first meeting will be the Orewa Ratepayers Association meeting on 28th March, followed by a meeting in Glenfield in early April. Rebellion spokesman David Thornton will also be speaking at a Grey Power meeting on Waiheke Island on 23rd March.

Rebellion Campaign spokesman David Thornton says, "The ARC has again totally disregarded ratepayers views and is not moving from its policies of last year which prompted the Ratepayers rebellion.

"While the increase in rates for the coming year may be softened if the ARC uses Infrastructure Auckland funds, the basic policies look set to remain in place. No business differentials, no uniform annual general charge, no change in the unfair transport rates - in fact the same mixture as before. And last years huge rate increase stays in place so even if this years rate increase is as low as 3% - that will be another 3% on top of last year's increase. It was unfair last year - and it will still be unfair this year.

"We will be organising meetings in the main centres and will respond positively to any specific calls for meetings anywhere in the region."

Rebellion co-ordinators meet next week to consider action to be taken in relation to the thousands of ratepayers who are still withholding all or part of their rates for the current year.

Organisations and community groups wishing to hold meetings may contact David Thornton on 443 6771 or email david@kandu.co.nz

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