Councils must cut spending, not price gouge

Newsroom has reported that Christchurch City Council is now charging builders for re-inspections even where no remedial work is required. This follows an admission by Local Government Minister Simon Watts that his proposed rates cap model is intended to shift revenue from rates to higher user charges.

Responding to this, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“Councils will find any way they can to avoid making savings. Christchurch City Council double-charging developers is a harbinger of what’s to come across the country if we make that easy for them by leaving gaping loopholes in the rates cap.”

“The solution is for a comprehensive cap that also covers charges and fees. Councils need to focus on finding real savings and efficiencies rather than ways to just shuffle the cost burden around.”

“Moving towards a user-pays model would be great, but that doesn’t mean further driving up the cost of living. Of course car park users, developers, and pet owners should cover their own costs, but they shouldn’t have to subsidise their council’s wasteful spending.”