The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is warning ratepayers not to take talk of amalgamation savings at face value, following The Post’s coverage of a MartinJenkins report today.

Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“MartinJenkins’ own report warns that amalgamation savings are often overestimated and delayed, transition costs underestimated, and any efficiencies swallowed up with new spending instead of being returned to ratepayers.”

“South Australia promised savings of 17 percent and delivered just 2 percent. Queensland’s cost increases wiped out any initial gains. Fifteen years after the Auckland Supercity was established, staffing is higher than under the former councils, and the promised review has never been delivered.”

“Ratepayers’ money should not be gambled on the basis of savings that may never materialise. Any amalgamation proposal must be put to a referendum.”