A petition with more than 2000 signatures calling for a freeze on rates has been handed to Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor Ross Paterson.
The petition was part of a submission to the council's Long Term Plan submitted by the Western Ward Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Chairman Selwyn Hill and five other members yesterday met with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Gwenda Merriman and council chief executive, Miriam Taris. Mr Hill asked that the council consider the petition, which had gathered 2100 signatures in 10 days.
"From the response we have had to the petition, rates are a big deal as far as Western Bay is concerned. Everyone we have talked to was concerned."
Mr Hill and association member Christina Humphreys urged the council to take the petition seriously. "We've got a lot of retired people in the district and you can't keep putting their rates up - they can't cope with it."