Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Call for Christchurch rates revolt if increase goes ahead

Updated at 5:47 am on 7 May 2012

The organiser of a protest against Christchurch City Council says there will be a rates revolt if a 7% rates increase is pushed through.

About 300 people attended a protest in an empty lot next door to the Christchurch City Council offices on Sunday to voice their opposition to the performance of the council.

Organiser Peter Lynch says while numbers were down from the 3000 strong protest held in February, he believes there is still strong dissatisfaction with the local council.

He says many people are struggling with earthquake damaged properties and couldn't manage the 7% rates increase proposed in the council's annual plan.

Mr Lynch says a rates revolt of some sort would be the only solution.

Despite a Crown observer being brought in to keep an eye on the council, Mr Lynch says it is still not listening to what the people of Christchurch want.

People told the gathering they were also unhappy at paying rates on uninhabitable houses, the red zoning of properties and insurance problems.

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