Media Release 8 March 2007
Elaine West

Auckland City Council Does Not Need to Beg, Borrow or Steal

"What does it take for central Government to act in the best interests for Auckland and for Councils to get the message?" says Elaine West, Auckland City resident and ratepayer.

"Councils do not need to raise revenue for infrastructure development from -
* unjust rate increases,
* borrowing policies involving billions of dollars,
* the sale of public property to private sector investors,
* or the introduction of user charges such a tolls on roads or water charges, "

"Aucklanders have paid more than their fair share in keeping New Zealand financially afloat," Elaine says.

"In the last financial year alone, it can be estimated that Aucklanders contributed more than $3.8billion dollars to the operating surplus of $11.5billion."

"And the public should be aware," she warns, "that the secret meetings held between central Government and Auckland Mayoral Forum - to create a Greater Auckland Council and a user charges society – will lead to Aucklanders bearing even an greater unethical and unfair burden of costs."

"I should like to remind Councillors, that the people depend on them to fight central Government for a fair proportion of the tax dollar to be invested back into the community, and not to beg, borrow or steal to keep Auckland financially afloat."

ENDS

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