The public will have their chance to comment on the Tauranga City Council’s proposal to increase rates by 35 per cent over three years later this month.
Out for consultation on March 22, the city’s annual plan proposes to increase the average rate by more than $500 – taking it from $1372 to $1912.

Tauranga City Councillor Rick Currach wants better information about proposed rates rises mailed to the public.

The council proposes to do this by $150 increases this year and next year, followed by a $230 increase for the 2011-12 year – as a percentage this is 10.93, 9.8, and then 14.35 per cent in 2011-12.
It is a remedy to the city’s financial woes fought at every step by councillor Rick Curach.
“It is essential we give the public a fair and reasonable amount of information to make a decision on,” says Rick.
He says the household document that the public will see during this consultation process doesn’t make it clear what the average rates increase is going to be, or that there are going to be rates increases over the next three years.
Public consultation takes place for the month from March 22 till April 23.