Vandervis: budget changes must help crisis’ ‘losers’

Lee Vandervis
Lee Vandervis
The proposed 6.5% rates rise for Dunedin should be scrapped, Cr Lee Vandervis says.

Cr Vandervis applauded Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins’ call at yesterday’s council meeting to bring revised budgets forward to deliberations at the end of this month — but said there ought to be a "significant revision" to reflect the "very significant" change in people’s situations.

"There is something of a myth that I believe is being forwarded regarding how Covid-19 has affected us — and that myth has been promulgated in the media and in various other places with people saying ‘We’re all in this together.’ In fact, nothing could be further from the truth," Cr Vandervis said.

"There are extremely large numbers of people now who are going to find themselves unemployed and still have all of their normal financial responsibilities and needs.

"There are winners and losers in every major change and in this major change the real losers are those that suddenly find themselves unexpectedly unemployed with no money coming in and there are tens of thousands of them due in Dunedin," he said.

"I believe, with no money coming in, they’re not only not going to be able to pay for, for instance, electricity, and rates — especially increased rates — they’re not going to be able to pay for the necessities of life."

Mr Hawkins yesterday won approval for council staff to prepare revised 2020-21 annual plan budgets; as part of that they would provide a report on options for alternative rates increases and funding, with an assessment of any impacts on service levels, rates, borrowing and the ongoing impacts for future years.

Councillors also voted to extend the timeframe for council-controlled organisations to finalise their statements of intent to the end of the month.

Comments

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Vandervis is correct; rates must freeze, not continue growing exponentially.

The ratepayers have been the 'losers' for years as special interests' get their way. Reduce our rates in line with the decrease of the South's economy. User pays for all non-essential/core services. That is what the majority want, we have had enough waste; near empty loss making stadiums/buses/cycle lanes etc. Tourism is dead for 1-2 years, act accordingly.

Rates increases should be pegged to inflation - including years such as this where we are very likely to have deflation. Councils and councillors need to control their personal desires and stop thinking of ratepayers as some anonymous unlimited source of funds.
At least Mr Vandervis can think or people other than himself, something Mr Hawkins needs a personal political adviser to do.

I couldn't agree more, rates should indeed be pegged to inflation. I agree with all the comments here. And again, good on you Lee. Yourself and a very small handful of councillors have some sense on what is actually going on out there in the City. I look forward to the next election, however, I would also like to see a referendum allowing the residents and general ratepayers to decide on the voting system. Council should have NO power in deciding how they are voted in. Let the people our councillors serve decide the voting system. Put the responsibilty in the hands of the residents, for without that, we do not have the democracy we think we have.

Thanks Lee,
Someone with their head in reality batting for ALL ratepayers. Keep it up and thanks.

Mr Vandervis is right. Rates need to be frozen and, if possible, reduced.

Mr Hawkins is completely out of touch. He needs to go.

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