Outrageous Costs
- Whatever way you look at PCC financial data it is clear that we are paying about 35% higher rates than the average of similar cities.
- For years Councillors have made the excuse that it is because of larger families. Yet even on a population basis our rates are excessive.
- This means that we deliver our services less cost effectively and with a lesser efficiency that other similar councils.
- There are serious risks ahead that will compound the issue, including unbudgeted roading costs when Transmission Gully opens, the $3.8 million write-off of Council IT costs, potential wastage of rates for the Colonial Knob Adventure Park, and more. It is very easy to add to this list.
- A simple pocket book exercise will confirm this, so let’s take action now!
Why do we need an effective and efficient Porirua?
- One of the benefits of living in Porirua is our mix of people; elderly, Pacifica, Maori, together make up over 50% of our population. This group suffers the most from high rates.
- With the mean residential rate being about $1000pa dearer than Lower Hutt and rising, there are increasing pressures for all local homeowners.
- Maori and Pacifica are more vulnerable to financial pressure due to lower disposable incomes.
- If we deliver competitive rates, we can lessen the rates load on those that struggle the most with home ownership and housing costs. (If you rent, you pay rates within that cost).
- This will mean more money in each home for childcare, food, heating and will help those that are close to home ownership to become homeowners. These people who are on ‘struggle street’ deserve our help!
I see these issues in simple terms:
- There is no dignity for people when we remove opportunity from their lives.
- Current policies are expanding state care while we should be helping our residents to transition from dependency to becoming providers.
- Current PCC policies hinder investment that will lead to local job creation, and tend to bring about separation of racial groups rather than bring us together as one city.
- I want my grandchildren to grow up in a Porirua that encompasses love and respect for all members of our community, regardless of race, social background or earning ability.
Incoming Councillors
We need either new Councillors with a more compassionate nature who understand the effects of high costs. Or existing Councillors who are willing to change the current direction and set policies that will lead to success for all Porirua people.
The beauty of New Zealand exists in us living together in harmony and with respect for each other. Successive Council costs are leading us to a city that only the wealthy can afford.
Social disruption will follow if we persist with these policies.