Requested Information:

“I have no doubt that most of you wanted to serve on the Council because you care about your community and Wellington as a whole, but we have a BIG problem, which is not going away!!
The recent rate rises have taken their toll on Wellington and will continue to do so unless something is done. I want to know why there appears to be zero accountability with everyone shifting the blame from one department to another? If the WCC was run as a business, it would be insolvent by now. Perhaps you can direct me to your lawyers as I feel sure that what is taking place is criminal negligence, fraud and human rights abuses.
1. I would like to know who are the lenders or the funders of the infrastructure loans? Can I have a list please? When I sort out a mortgage with my bank, we usually have a meeting to discuss the terms and conditions and the interest rates and how much we can afford to pay. WCC and GWRC rates are ridiculous and completely unsustainable for most of the population long term. I am beyond horrified and disturbed (in fact I am going around in a complete state of shock that someone has allowed this to happen) and that the Long Term Plan was voted through. This unholy mess needs to be taken over by a Commission serving ratepayers who only want the basics taken care of. I certainly did not want or ask for most of what has been voted through. Your so-called consultation process with the community leaves an awful lot to be desired and we are sick of it.
When someone uses my credit card under false pretences, I can get in touch with my bank and they will refund any money I may have lost. Can you show me the contract I have signed with WCC and GWRC that says that I am responsible for your debt when it is totally out of control?
My family and many others do not have an income that matches yours and the minions (workers) have not received a pay rise. We cannot afford to keep paying the rates when we have other bills to pay!!
We have senior citizens in their 70s working to try and make ends meet and also being threatened to take out reverse mortgages on their homes to pay their rates bills. This is an utter disgrace. As Winston Peters once said, "New Zealand will one day become a third world country!" It already has!!
This feels like extortion to me and not at all reasonable when we don't have the ability to stop any of the outrageous spending that has been happening. Why should I pay my "through the roof" rates bill when I have no idea where the money is going? A couple of years ago, my entire
yearly rates bill of $4,000 was apparently wasted on a single plant box at the side of the road with grass coming out of it as a "traffic calming measure." My suggestion is you try and take some ratepayer calming measures and actually DO something by stopping these farcical rate
rises that are sending ratepayers to an early grave!
And don't tell me I have to pay more to get the pipes fixed (I know that already)!”