The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is criticising an additional reported $80 million cost increase for the Moa Point sludge treatment project.

Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“When was the last time Wellington City Council ran a major project that didn’t blow its budget? The Town Hall project ballooned from $43 million to $329 million, and with a 2.4-times increase from $200 million to $480 miion, Moa Point is on exactly the same track.”

“Whether it’s Moa Point, the Town Hall, a $2.3 million toilet, or a $560,000 bike rack, the issue is the same: mismanagement, overruns, and no consequences.”

“Council staff are overseeing failure after failure - but where’s the accountability? Until project managers start getting the sack for failing to deliver value for ratepayers, nothing will change at Wellington City Council.”

The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is welcoming today’s decision by Wellington City councillors to reject council officers’ proposals for a $5,000-per-metre waterfront fencethat would have an overall cost of $30 million.

Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance said:

“This is a win for transparency, accountability, and ratepayers. Councillors deserve credit for standing up to staff pressure and putting a stop to a fence that was completely out of touch with public priorities.”

“When you shine a light on waste, things change. This backdown proves why we need to do what we do.”

Wellington Ratepayers' Alliance spokesman James Ross spoke to TVNZ's Breakfast to talk about Wellington's looming underinsurance crisis, and how owning 44 earthquake-prone buildings has the city's finances on the edge.

These buildings - including the Town Hall which has cost each Wellington household $4,000 each - are underinsured by $1.8 billion. If an earthquake hits, each household will be stung with costs of around $22,500.

Council needs to sell off buildings it doesn't need - and we don't need five or six concert venues on the books.

As James put it, "being in an earthquake-prone city means Council has to be more realistic about what we can afford, not less."

The Wellington Ratepayers' Alliance have launched, and we're fighting for Fairer Rates, Better Services, and More Transparency!

Rates across the region have spiralled over the last three years, and show no sign of slowing down.

In just three years, rates have increased:

• 54.67 percent at Greater Wellington Regional Council
• 47.03 percent at Wellington City Council
• 46.92 percent at Upper Hutt City Council
• 44.66 percent at Hutt City Council
• 35.05 percent at Kapiti Coast District Council
• 33.45 percent at Porirua City Council

Residents from across the Greater Wellington region have got together to say 'enough is enough'. No more wasteful spending, vanity projects and closed-door council meetings. Ratepayers pay the bills, so ratepayers need to be councils' first priorities.

Join the fight back at WellingtonRatepayers.nz/volunteer