My Account
Auckland Councillors have been told that the various targeted rates introduced by Council over recent years are delivering solid outcomes.
The natural environment and water quality rates alone will raise $880 million over 10 years and have funded the planting of 2.5 million native trees and shrubs, delivered 2230 hectares of pest plant control in regional parks, upgraded more than 100 kilometres of walking tracks to protect kauri, and cleaned up waterways across the region, enabling the removal of long-term public health warnings at numerous beaches and bays.
Managers of the targeted rates have put together reports for Local Boards to help raise awareness for what they have achieved over the year.
For the Rodney Local Board area, the water quality targeted rate funded one water quality investigation at Snells Beach which is still underway after a contamination issue was identified. The source is still unclear.
The Closing The Gap programme, which looks to control sedimentation on small building sites, conducted 697 site visits in Rodney with a 74 per cent compliance rate.
Under the safe septic programme, 28 Rodney properties received subsidised septic inspections with help for ongoing maintenance.
Under the natural environment targeted rate, one hygiene station was installed to protect kauri at Parry Kauri Park this year, and trackwork to protect kauri is planned at Matheson Bay Reserve and Kowhai Park.
Cat, rabbit, rat and mustelid control efforts were funded with particular efforts made in Te Ārai Regional Park and Tāwharanui Regional Park. Council is also undertaking pig control at Te Ārai Regional Park.
Council partnered with Trees for Survival, getting schools involved in planting efforts along waterways and educating students. The planting was jointly funded by the natural environment and water quality targeted rates.
Fourteen local schools attended planting days and 30 planting days were held in Rodney.
One private landowner in Rodney received a $35,500 grant for stock exclusion fencing through the rate.
Pest Free Leigh received funding for a support coordinator and pest control tools.
A total of $370,339 was spent to fund community initiatives in Rodney.
Both of the rates were due expire in 2028, but have been extended to 2031.
