UPDATE 12.56PM: Hundreds of Tauranga ratepayers have descended upon council chambers this afternoon to protest their opposition to a proposed rates increase.

A rates rise is being proposed in Tauranga City Council's Long Term Plan, which is set to be finalised at the chambers on Willow Street from 1.30pm.

Some residents could be facing a 17 per cent increase.

That figure has drawn ire from the Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance, a group which among its steering group contains several Councillors who were replaced by the current Commission chaired by Anne Tolley in February.

People protesting the proposed rates increase ahead of the 1.30pm council meeting.

Susan Hodkinson has lived in Mount Maunganui since 1958 and services her community by regularly cleaning up the streets in the Blake Park area.

She believes that Tauranga City Council do not think in 'systems” and until they have reviewed their working processes she is not happy with a rise in the rates she pays.

'It is just not sustainable,” she says.

'I do not want to pay any more rates until they start looking at their systems in place.”

Susan has many grievances, including rubbish bins, public toilets and a perceived lack of consultation.

'I don't want to pay extra rates for new infrastructure, I want them to fix up the issues already in place.”

The TRA plan to march on Council buildings from 12.30pm and will speak in the opening session of today's scheduled Council meeting public forum.

Jordan Williams, executive director of the Taxpayers Union and a member of the TRA steering group will speak on their behalf.

EARLIER:

Disgruntled Tauranga residents will march on the Tauranga City Council building today protesting against rates rises set to be adopted in the Long-term Plan.

The LTP is set to be finalised at 1.30pm and some residents can expect a 17 per cent increase in rates in the first year.

That figure has drawn ire from the Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance, a group which among its steering group contains several Councillors who were replaced by the current Commission chaired by Anne Tolley in February.

'This plan promotes steroid-like growth across the city at the cost of the long-suffering ratepayer,” says Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance steering group member Michael O'Neill.

'Such an agenda can only be driven by Wellington; it would be unfair to suggest that four unelected commissioners – with limited local knowledge and financial strength – have, with only six months' preparation, unilaterally decided to impose such an extreme plan upon the city.

'The Long Term Plan as presented is a clear example of the Government seeking central control over Tauranga and its future, much like its three waters reform agenda. The consultation risks being seen as a meaningless token gesture.

'Tauranga residents deserve more. At the very least, they deserve a voice in the future of their city and in the costs and debt they will bear.

'Most importantly, they deserve a return to democracy.”