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Auckland Council ratepayers have the opportunity from the end of this month through March to comment on Mayor Phil Goff’s first budget.
The plan proposes restricting the annual average rate rise to 2.5 percent, as well as the introduction of a visitor levy, a targeted rate for new large-scale developments and a regional fuel tax.
Mayor Goff says ratepayers cannot be expected to continue to shoulder the responsibility for the growth of the city on their own.
“This proposal shares that responsibility more fairly across all of those who benefit from living and doing business in our city,” he says.
On the visitors’ levy, which is set to raise $30 million, Mr Goff says accommodation providers and other businesses benefit most directly from the funding Council puts into attracting visitors to the city and supporting major events. “That is why I am proposing a new visitor levy to be collected by hotels, motels and B&Bs to replace ratepayer spending by ATEED in this area. Council is seeking Government support to implement a regional fuel tax to help close the $400 million gap in transport infrastructure funding identified under the Auckland Transport Alignment Project. The proposal also implements the Mayor’s commitment to a Living Wage for Council employees and contributes an additional $500,000 to coordinating work to support homeless Aucklanders. Council’s annual budget, which forms part of the Annual Plan, opens for public consultation from February 27 at shapeauckland.co.nz. It is due to be adopted on June 19.
