Rates rises - too long

There is are big lessons to be learned from the impossibly large rates increase being sought by Hamilton’s mayor, Andrew King. Waipa District Council cannot afford to feel smug either, over its seemingly more moderate projections for future rates increases. Waipa has not yet truly solved its water-supply problems, until after it has weathered the storm which is sure to follow the ‘‘bite’’ on ratepayers once it is realised what effect paying for metered water-supply will have. Waipa and Hamilton City Council must finally ditch all the window dressing schemes such as sporting-centres, new theatres and other such social ‘‘tinselling’’ – councils are in fact fighting for survival in their present forms. It is perhaps no coincidence that we have elected a more socialistic government [but] even within this new social environment, councils can only survive if they resolve to take all of their constituents forward equally rather than allowing the less well-heeled to keep falling off the bottom rung of the social ladder. If too many other councils go down the same path, our whole localbody system will be washed away by a tsunami of protest, to be replaced by a national control system that taxes everyone for all local body expenditure, with councils applying to government for its core needs and wish-lists.

Dennis Pennefather

Te Awamutu