FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11th JUNE 2009

The CAT is out of the BAG – Tauranga Council is raising rates 14.9%!

Citizen’s Advocacy Tauranga (CAT) has been in existence for almost 5 years. Our mission is to inform and represent Tauranga Citizen’s with regard to Tauranga City Council’s policies, expenditure, and rates decisions.

CAT believes there is an anomaly in Council’s rate rise claims. The average rates figure Council printed in the 10 Year Plan consultation document is $1325 for 08/09. The average rate Councillors have agreed for 09/10 is $1522.
That is a Rates rise of 14.9%, not the 10.9% Council have reported.
CAT is concerned that Tauranga Citizens, either through inaccuracy or misinformation, are not being told the true story of: Council’s current problems; Council responses to those problems; and the cost Tauranga Citizens will bear for Council decisions.
 
CAT is currently conducting a survey which gives Tauranga Citizens a chance to have their say on what an acceptable Rate rise would be. There are 3 options: 6%, 9%, and 19%. Please send your name, phone number, and preferred option to PO BOX 15249, Tauranga. Or visit www.afford.co.nz for more information and to enter your preferred rate rise choice online. You need to be a Tauranga Citizen over 18 Years to vote.
CAT recently met the Minister for Local Government to outline our concerns. Rodney Hide enthusiastically agreed to attend a public meeting in Tauranga to communicate his vision for Local Government, to discuss the results of CAT’s Rates survey, and to answer questions from Tauranga Citizens. CAT will publicise details of this meeting when we have fixed a date.

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