My Account
The Hibiscus Coast made some significant gains in Auckland Council’s 10-year budget, as a result of the high number of submissions by the public, lobbying by local politicians and the introduction of the transport levy.
This month Council agreed on its final 10-year Budget, or Long Term Plan (LTP) with the budget to be formally adopted by the Governing Body on June 25.
Councillor John Watson says that the Coast fared reasonably well although he opposed the transport levy of $114 on average, per year, which brought the rates rise for Coast households to around 6.3 percent. “The levy was sprung on the councillors and had no public mandate, which is why I voted against it,” he says.
Cr Wayne Walker voted for the levy, but says that was a difficult decision. “It was the only option on the table to bring a number of transport projects in Albany Ward into the 10 year plan,” he says. “However, my preference would have been to fund transport improvements through other options. I’m bitterly disappointed because the levy also takes the heat off central Government, and that’s a big concern.”
Both councillors say that greater economies within Council, and its CCOs, including Auckland Transport, are called for. “It would have been better to cut some fat from the system instead of accepting the transport levy,” Cr Watson says.
Penlink attracted a record number of submissions, but remains beyond the 10-year plan, although funding for the work that is already underway on extending the designation to four lanes is included.
Money for erosion protection work on Orewa and other beaches was not in the budget, however Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Julia Parfitt, says there is no need for panic. “Council needed more specific costings and we are putting these together in a business case,” she says. Meanwhile, public consultation on the options for Orewa Reserve (HM May 6) will begin soon. “We will then be able to put firm figures and a preferred option into the Annual Plan, seeking funding starting in 2016/17.”
One of the most significant gains was the agreement to ring-fence development contributions, so that they benefit the local community. Development contributions are paid to mitigate the effects of new subdivisions on the community. The draft LTP suggested that these would be put into a single pot to be spent anywhere in Auckland, but that has been altered so that they will be spent closer to home on environmental and community projects.
Budget summary
- Orewa Beach erosion protection work: Funding is available for consenting and public consultation this year. The local board is putting together a business case to obtain funding for the actual work. Mayor Len Brown said he regards Orewa Beach as the top priority to be addressed as part of a wider erosion, sea level rise and inundation study to be brought back to council by August.
- Silverdale Park ‘n’ Ride: The transport levy provides $6 million for completion of the park ‘n’ ride facility to begin construction in 2016/17.
- Transport improvements: Auckland Transport is considering a package of transport improvements, including construction of the Curley Ave extension in Silverdale, widening Whangaparaoa Rd from Red Beach to the highway and the introduction of transit lanes (T2 and T3 lanes) along Whangaparaoa Rd and Hibiscus Coast Highway. This work remains outside the 10-year-plan unless additional funding, such as motorway tolls or fuel taxes, are introduced (these require Government approval).
- Metro Park East: Just over $900,000 has been set aside for field development. Further money may come from a fund supported by development contributions. The local board expects to fund toilets and changing rooms.
- Street trading levy: The Trading in Public Places and Street Trading levy, expected to hit some Orewa businesses hard (HM November 19, 2014) has been reduced and deferred until 2017/18. A single annual fee (amount to be confirmed) will be the only cost for Orewa hospitality businesses to use public footpaths until then.
- Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre: A total of $3.9 million was approved for the Leisure Centre extension project.
- Capital funds: A new $10 million per year fund is to be created for local board capital expenditure. Depending on how this is allocated, Hibiscus & Bays will receive “a few hundred thousand annually for capital projects,” Julia Parfitt says.
- Libraries: Libraries were asked to shave $2 million from their budget and reducing opening hours was an option. However, community opposition to that has seen Orewa and Whangaparaoa Libraries retain seven day opening (52 hours per week with local board top up funds). Additional user pays charges will be introduced including $2 for items put on hold but not collected (adults only) and an increase in the overdue fee from 60c to $1.
- Surf Lifesaving building projects: The plan provides $1.9 million over the first four years of the LTP for redevelopment of the highest priority surf clubs.
- Weed killers: There is a proposal to continue using Glyphosate/Roundup weedkiller on roadsides and parks throughout the Hibiscus Coast, despite community opposition, but Council may give local boards some control over what is used in their area, as long as they pay for any alternative from their own funds.
- Inorganic waste collection: A new annual, on-property, pre-booked inorganic collection service will be rolled out Auckland-wide, starting this year, to be funded from the waste management targeted rate.
