Downsizing will not solve the rates issue, readers say. Photo / File
Re John Douglas (Letters, March 11).
First, capital gains are a paper figure only meaning little to the ratepayer until they sell their property, and, if they buy in the same market gains may well be negated to a large degree by these very same capital gains.
Downsizing can free
up some of that gain. However, if you are a pensioner or on a lower income you will need that extra money to maintain a modest or reasonable standard of living.
There's no argument from me that previous councils not wanting change or growth have left us with the infrastructure and financial problems faced now.
Sir Bob Owens had the vision but was voted out.
