Those against the increase were Phil Halse, Marie Olsen, Simon
Reid, Phoenix Ruka, and Paul Yovich.
Despite pleas from the public to cut costs instead of increasing rates, councillors added new spending items! That included an additional $960,000 over two years for the Whangarei Art Museum which manages the Hundertwasser.
This is despite assurances when the project was first proposed that no additional ratepayer funding would be required. Councillors appear to have taken the easy way out of the Hundertwasser’s financial problems, and that is to put their hands deeper into ratepayer pockets.
Councillors have also voted to “invest” (spend) $1.15 million
over 10 years in the “development of a Māori Engagement framework”. In
other words, have ratepayers pay iwi to engage in council decision-making and resource
consents.
Splashing the cash did not end there.
$10 million is to be spent on “urban design upgrades”.
Presumably, that means tart up
the CBD.
$10.2 million is to be spent on a new roof for the Events Centre
stadium. The original cost of the Events Centre was funded from a regional rate,
but it seems the capital costs to remedy faults fall on Whangarei ratepayers.
$565,000 has been earmarked over the next two years to host a
NZ Warriors game at the Northland Events Centre in 2025. This is in addition to
the $663k annual operating grant, which readers may remember was supposed to be
“self-funding” when the project was “sold” to ratepayers.
A local accountant has taken issue with the rate increase and
the spending. Alan Brown says,
“I presented a plan to Council that we reduce any rate
increase to single figures. I stressed that this was a time of recession and
everyone had to cut their expenses to match their income. Any rate increase of that magnitude would
place severe pressure on many homeowners, renters, and businesses that are
already struggling to make ends meet. The rate increase will cause pain. Other
councils have done the right thing and looked at the things they can do to
minimise their rate increase. The Far North Council reduced its increase from
16.5% to 5.1% by taking a “back-to-basics” approach. Whangarei needs to relook
at their 10-year plan to do the same. The Council could save tens of millions
of dollars if it was of a mind to avoid a crippling rate increase. The problem
is our councillors have not been prepared to do what households, other councils
and central government are doing – and that’s getting back to basics.”
We agree. Our elected “representatives” have ignored the very
loud and clear “get back to basics” message that was sent to them. Our local
politicians need to be reminded that they serve at the pleasure of the public,
and it is the public who will decide whether they are re-elected in October
next year. Between now and then, Democracy Northland will be publishing the
voting record for the members of all of our local councils so voters can cast
their vote on what our representatives do, not what they say they will do.
It's time for new faces on our local councils.
