Media Release
Councillor Richard Northey

18 August 2010

What will C&R charge for water?

Aucklanders should be concerned about what Citizens & Ratepayers (C&R) has planned for water charges in the Supercity says City Vision-Labour Leader Richard Northey.

C&R President John Slater yesterday announced the C&R’s preference for imposing user-pays for water and wastewater charges across the region.  When challenged by one of his own candidates he announced there would be no announcement on water charges until after the election.

“Auckland families right around the region should be worried about what John Banks and C&R have in store for them should they be elected this year,” said Councillor Northey.

“John Banks and C&R’s Auckland City policy would increase the cost of water services for about 127,000 households in Manukau, Waitakere and the North Shore by up to several hundred dollars a year, with some large users in line for bills of up to $1,000.

“If the Auckland City charging system is imposed across the region, about 60 per cent of Manukau households would pay more for water, 56 per cent in Waitakere would pay more and 48 per cent on the North Shore would pay more.

“John Banks and the C&R majority on council also rammed through official submissions to support the Government’s proposals to allow councils to sign away control of water to private companies for 35 years, effectively privatising them.

“Now the President of C&R reveals he has a secret agenda for water price rises.  Aucklanders should be wary of this backdoor downtown takeover plan” concluded Councillor Northey.

ends

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