Hard work ahead to keep lid on rates rise - James

A report to the council shows its environmental services and city water and waste units got $2.5 million more than expected in the six months to the end of December because of the building boom and the strong economy.

Overall the council's operating surplus for the six months ending December was $22.4m – about $13m above predictions.

But the full-year result was unlikely to be as high because of delays in some spending, the report said.

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