Sign In / Register
Transport initiatives will take the largest chunk of money raised in Auckland Council’s annual budget, which is forecasting capital investment of $2.7 billion and operating expenditure of $4.36 billion in 2020/21.
Mahurangi ratepayers are currently being asked to give feedback on Council’s spending priorities during a four-week consultation period, which closes on March 22.
The budget focuses on issues around rates, growth and local priorities, but transport – inner city public transport, walking and cycling pathways, and road safety – is the big ticket item. Council is budgeting to spend $1326 million on transport capital projects and will put aside a further $1508 million for operating expenses (see below).
The average general rate rise will be limited to 3.5 per cent, the uniform annual general charge will be limited to 3.5 per cent and there will be a continued reduction in the business differential rate. The regional fuel tax, water quality targeted rate and the natural environment targeted rate will remain the same.
A drop-in session to talk about the budget will be held outside New World Supermarket in Warkworth on Saturday March 7, from 2pm to 4pm.
Info: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say
Expenditure
Transport – $1,326m (capital); $1,508m (operating)
Key projects: The City Rail Link, Puhinui Bus-Train Interchange and the first phase of the $1.4 billion Eastern Busway project.
Water, wastewater, stormwater – $685m (capex); $741m (opex)
Key projects: Investment of around $40 million to improve the quality of our harbours, beaches and streams supported by the Water Quality Targeted Rate, including major projects in St Mary’s Bay and Herne Bay.
Parks & community – $342m (capex); $784m (opex)
Operating expenditure covers parks, libraries, pools, recreation centres, halls and events.
Centres development – $252m (capex); $131m (opex)
Key focus: The city centre development programme which is preparing Auckland to host major events such as the 36th Americas Cup and APEC.
Economic & cultural development – $42m (capex); $226m (opex)
Key focus: Providing arts, natural environment, sport and live performance events.
Environmental management & regulation – $26m (capex); $455m (opex)
Key projects: Investment of around $38 million to help protect our natural environment and tackle the pests, weeds and diseases that threaten many of our native species, including upgrading over 40kms of tracks to manage the risk of kauri dieback disease.
Council administration & support – $18m (capex); $519m (opex)
Key focus: Covers elected representative and emergency services.
Local Board plan
Meanwhile, the first round of engagement on the draft Rodney Local Board plan is also open for the submission of ideas. The plan is a strategic three-year document that will guide the Board’s decision making in areas such as transport, the environment, diversity, working with mana whenua, local economic development, climate issues and ensuring local community facilities and parks meet the needs of their communities.
“Ideas” must be submitted by the end of this month, with formal consultation set down for June.
To post an idea, visit akhaveyoursay.co.nz/lovelocal
Climate emergency
Council has declared a climate emergency, and climate change will be a key issue for the next 10-year Budget 2021-2031. In the interim, Council will invest $900,000 in 2020/21 on foundation work for climate change actions. This includes developing climate assessment tools, reviewing the Auckland Unitary Plan from a climate perspective and embedding natural hazard risk assessment and integrating data. Council will also look at understanding the likely economic impacts of climate change, the Māori world view on climate change and focusing on communications and tools to embed behaviour change. Money is being set aside to plant 1.5 million trees over the next three years (an additional 500,000 over what was planned, at a cost of $2.7 million) and continue to progress coastal protection as part of the $90 million programme agreed in the 10-year budget.
Council plans to reduce its own emissions by nearly 20 per cent over the next five years by reducing the fleet size and moving to electric vehicles, investing $6.3 million over the next five years to do this. It will also phase out gas boilers in aquatic centres, at a cost of $9 million over the next five years.
Rodney priorities
Council plans to invest $6.6m on new community assets in Rodney and $15m to maintain and operate assets ($13.5m on community services, $400,000 on environmental services, $200,000 on planning services and $1m on governance).
Pool change
Council is proposing to replace the $130 first inspection fee with an annual targeted rate of $44 for all pool owners. Any follow-up inspections will continue to be charged separately. If the pool owner arranges an inspection from an independently qualified pool inspector, then the targeted rate will reduce to $22 to cover administration.
