Council distracted by fizzy drinks, not keeping rates down

Palmerston North City Council will vote this week on a proposal to ban the sale of fizzy drinks at most council-owned venues, described as an ‘overreach’ even by the Mayor.

Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:

“Councillors supporting this charade clearly don’t have enough on their plate. That, or they have become so distracted by non-core business that they think this is a good use of their time.”

“After the 10.1 percent rates increase last year, and the 7.7 percent rates increase proposed this year—you’d think Council would have more important things to think about than a can of coke being sold at the netball courts.”

“Let’s agree, this is a complete ‘overreach’—and much more focus needs to be restored to Council to keep rates increases as low as possible and the city affordable.”