Wellington City Council

Reduce the unsustainable planned rates increases of 54% in 3 years, by cutbacks of unnecessary projects and by keeping aspirations modest.

Scrutinise and re-evaluate council activities and staffing priorities.

Focus on providing services that Wellingtonians need, instead of spending vast sums on projects they don't want, such as the cycle network.

Limit rate increases to a maximum of the inflation rate as it's unacceptable to continue increasing rates without obtaining efficiencies.

Stop council wasted spending by critically examining all budgets and expenditure by reducing spending authority limits by management.

Freeze staffing levels until a study is done on whether the right people are being employed to reduce excessive consultancy charges.

Reassess the rating policy to ensure fairness of funding and benefits across residential and commercial ratepayers.

Adjust the current funding strategy to ensure it is fit for purpose and able to support the delivery of the priorities of council.

Assess council investments to ensure they can deliver the level of return expected, in conjunction with looking for new revenue sources.

Support fiscal responsibility and plans to ensure inter-generational equity. Implications of rates decisions need to be clear and transparent.

Promise to bring a strong community perspective to the council and to be an informed, positive voice.

Oppose making specific promises without having good advice, all the information, and recognising council decisions need to be made jointly.

Develop new revenue sources to take rates pressure off Wellingtonians, including alternative funding and financing for major projects.

Investigate how the commercial assets like Kiwi Point Quarry and the Ground Lease Portfolio could better support council's financial needs.

We must look for ways to build, operate and maintain infrastructure more cost-effectively.

Relieve pressure on council finances by boosting ratepayer numbers with more housing.

Encourage the use of council services (like pools) by biasing revenue gathering towards rates and away from user charges.

Retain public ownership of council assets.

Policy for green procurement which will result in positive carbon credit tax which can be sold. This will save millions and reduce rates.

Promote council investment is future major infrastructure projects. Use international best practices to minimise council money spending.

Example: a job that costs $ dollars in the local market same job by council approved contractor will cost $$. Staff efficiency to be improved.

Implement an additional rate for developers on new housing developments over 10 years to pay for the extra infrastructure required.

Develop alternative council revenue streams to reduce the reliance on rates.

Ensure that there is full transparency around charges for water if the government's water reforms are passed.

Implement a targeted rate to discourage land banking and promote new housing.

Participate in local government reforms and advocate for broadening of council revenue streams to reduce reliance on rate.

Ensure our rating system encourages efficient land use and discourages land banking.

Advocate for government to provide councils with new funding tools and revenue streams to fund growth.

Support public or mana whenua ownership of public assets, and bring core council services back in-house to reduce contracting out.