Tuesday, 30 July 2024 15:25

Out of control

Written by The Hound

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OPINION: The Taxpayers' Union has run the ruler over council rate increases and concluded, "Our councils are out of control".

They've revealed that the average for city and district councils is an eye-watering 14% hike this year on top of the 15% rate hikes at regional councils.

Special mention goes to West Coast, Wellington, Central Hawke's Bay and Gore for topping the 20% mark.

The union also found that at nearly every council, the proportion of spending going to roads, pipes, pumps, etc. has been reducing compared to that spent on staff payroll, back-office bureaucracy, etc.

Analysts agree non-tradeable inflation, driven in no small part by rates, is key to reducing inflation, yet it's hard to see any evidence of councils cutting fat and focusing on core services.

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