Ratepayers plan to withhold rates

NBR article about Dunedin stadium. This could be done more democratically if a referendum was held.

Opponents of the proposed $200 million Dunedin stadium are planning to withhold part of their rates as a protest against the project.

At a meeting recent at the Dunedin Town Hall, the Stop the Stadium group outlined its latest strategy - to withhold the average $66 a year the Dunedin City Council has told ratepayers they will have to pay for the stadium.

Former mayor Sukhi Turner told the meeting councillors were spending money that would drain the pockets of ratepayers for decades to come. "Dunedin does not need a $200 million temple to rugby to survive as a city."