Oh this is glorious…
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown clashes with Government over rates cap and impact on City Rail Link
Auckland’s $5.5 billion City Rail Link and North Shore ferries are being cited as the type of services that could fall victim to a Government-imposed rates cap.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Local Government Minister Simon Watts implored councils to “stop doing dumb stuff” when announcing annual rates increases would be capped at between 2% and 4%.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has reacted angrily to the proposed rates cap, arguing it won’t work, will kneecap major projects like the City Rail Link (CRL) that the city needs, and prevent the council from servicing infrastructure in greenfield areas.
On the same day, Brown proposed a 7.9% rate increase next year, primarily to fund the $235 million cost of running the CRL when it opens to passengers.
How else does the Government think the council would pay for projects like the CRL, the mayor asked, saying the country’s largest public transport project was the result of decisions made by a previous National Government and council.
…The Rates Cap is a right wing fever dream and is designed to force local councils to privatise assets.
Watching the Boomer King squirm as his mates in National destroy lock council is delicious, they are YOUR mates Wayne, so knees up Mother Brown, go ‘Fix’ it Mr Fix It.
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