The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is calling on Wellington City Council to act on overstaffing findings within the Deloitte report while elected members argue for a discount.

Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“Whether Wellington City Council is overstaffed by 284 people or 330, arguing over the precise number misses the wood for the trees. Even the Council’s revised figure says there are hundreds too many bureaucrats.”

“While our elected members are busy pushing Deloitte for a discount, they should spend at least as much energy following through on the report’s main recommendations.”

“The report identified potential savings of between $15 million and $37 million from reducing managers, removing duplication and cutting administration costs, with another $11.8 million available from managing vacancies. Squabbling around the edges cannot become a distraction from the fact Wellington City Council is still massively overstaffed and overpaid.”

The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is calling on every organisation involved in the Moa Point sewage disaster to cooperate fully with investigators, after it was revealed at least one party has refused to be interviewed.

Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“This investigation isn’t a catch-up over coffee. After fourteen billion litres of sewage have poured into the sea off Wellington’s coastline, what right does anyone involved have to refuse to front up?

“Green MP Julie Anne Genter is right. Anyone who refuses to cooperate with the investigation should be publicly named and shamed. Moa Point cannot just become another local government stuff-up swept under the rug with no one held accountable.”

Responding to Tiaki Wai boss Michael Brewster defending his $645,000 salary, the Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance says Tiaki Wai needs to implement performance-based pay.

Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“Tiaki Wai’s problems aren’t a secret. Bursting pipes, ageing infrastructure, and water bills set to almost triple over the next decade. If they think a chief exec salary larger than the Wellington, Porirua, and Hutt City mayors’ combined is what it takes to guarantee improvements, why not put their money where their mouth is?”

“Water billpayers deserve to know they’re getting bang for their buck from the chief executive. If Brewster wants top-tier pay, his salary should depend on top-tier performance.”

“Given Tiaki Wai has already landed on the Commerce Commission’s naughty step barely a month after launching, we can see why he might not be too keen on the idea.”

Tiaki Wai has sent water bills to owners of flood-damaged homes that councils have banned them from living in. Commenting, Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“First Tiaki Wai billed car parks and granny flats as though they were family homes. Now it is charging people for water connections they are banned from using.”

“Councils already know which properties qualify for storm-related rates remissions. Tiaki Wai could’ve checked that data very easily before sending the bills.”

“Residents were promised greater efficiency. Instead, billpayers are being forced to audit Tiaki Wai’s blunders for free.”

“Cancel the incorrect invoices, fix the records, and check who you are charging before the next batch of bills go out.”

Greater Wellington Regional Council has joined the Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance in calling for a referendum before any council amalgamation can proceed.

Responding to council chairperson Daran Ponter’s statement that any amalgamation must be co-designed with the people who get the final say through a referendum, Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“Ratepayers pay the bills, so ratepayers should decide what their local government looks like. Daran Ponter has hit the nail on the head, and the region’s mayors should now join him in demanding a referendum before any amalgamation.”

“Local Government Minister Simon Watts’ willingness to force through council mergers is the sticking point. He needs to guarantee that residents, not politicians and bureaucrats, will have the final say.”

The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is slamming Tiaki Wai after residents have been billed for water services for basement car parks and other properties with no meaningful water connection, with the organisation blaming shortcomings on its systems.

Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“Ratepayers were promised separate billing meant more efficiency. Instead, Tiaki Wai is sending bills to car parks and properties that barely use a drop.”

“Billing basement car parks with with tiny taps as though they’re family homes is beyond ridiculous. If Tiaki Wai lacks the systems to tell which properties use water, that’s on them. Residents shouldn’t have to eat the cost of their administrative failures.”

The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is welcoming the Government’s consultation on slashing heritage red tape across Wellington.

Alliance spokesperson, James Ross, said:

“Heritage rules on old rusty gas tanks aren’t free, and residents bear the costs. Slashing red tape could unblock hundreds of new homes, jobs, and construction activity valued at around $3,500 per every Wellington household.”

“This consultation is a chance to scrap any restrictions that aren’t targeted, reasonable, and cost-effective. Wellington needs a planning system that respects history without costing the city its future.”

The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is welcoming Wellington City Council’s proposal to trim up to 50 roles across its climate, comms, planning, property and events teams, but says it barely scratches the surface.

An independent Deloitte review has already identified 330 excess roles and potential savings of up to $79 million.

Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“This is a welcome first step, but it’s barely 15 percent of the excess council staff that have already been identified.”

“The Deloitte review laid out a pathway to save the equivalent of 15,509 average household rates bills. Council needs to stop cherry-picking and deliver long-overdue savings for ratepayers.”

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.”