Kaipara District Mayor Neil Tiller says he accepts that ratepayers will never wear rate increases of 100% and the council will think again.
The Government has appointed a review team to help the council solve a debt crisis, after 2000 people marched in the town of Mangawhai earlier this month in protest against massive rates rises.
Mr Tiller says the council's aim was for Mangawhai residents to pay for their $50 million sewerage system in 10 years.
He says the council may have to spread the cost over a longer period and across the district.
Kaipara council has debts of more than $80 million.
