A rate increase of 13.6 per cent over three years will cause problems for thousands of Tauranga people. The increases will be added into rents and superannuation increases will not be enough to pay for the increases. Rates rebates would have to be increased by 13.6 per cent. Tauranga's rates are higher than most other districts and people have to pay for their recycling to be collected: this makes it costly. Other districts' recycling is included in the rates. Tauranga's rates, recycling costs and water rates are becoming unaffordable for many people. The Mayor and councillors said they would keep rates down. This is not being done and people should remember that when they vote at the next council elections. Remember the names of the people who voted at the council for these large increases in our rates.

H Burrows, Papamoa.