ARC faces a sign of the times

Their billboard in Pitt St faces the Auckland Regional Council offices in protest at the council imposing a 1.5 business differential rate.

It says: "Shove your 50% rates increase up your ARC."

The sign was put up by the Heart of the City lobby group for businesses. Chief executive Alex Swney said the council had earned such a strongly worded protest.

"It's charged with leading Auckland's regional economic development yet it chooses to penalise business with a 50 per cent loading on its rates, said Mr Swney.

He said the council was putting a brake on business for the sake of saving residential ratepayers about $11 each.

ARC chairman Gwen Bull said she was not offended by the sign.

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