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The natural environment and water quality targeted rates are set to pool together $880 million across 10 years for Auckland Council.
Both rates have been extended after claiming some big successes in the four years since they began.
Former mayor Phil Goff said that the targeted rates came about after concerns that there were lots of projects that needed funding but no room in the budget to do them. He said at the time that most councillors supported [the rates] and described the outcomes as “fantastic”.
Reports have been compiled for local boards across Auckland to help raise awareness of what specific projects these targeted rates have funded.
For the Hibiscus and Bays area, four water quality assessments were conducted including one in Matakatia Bay. The results of the tests are not out yet but will determine if further investigation is needed.
The closing the gap programme, which looks to control sedimentation on small building sites, conducted 915 site visits in Hibiscus and Bays with a compliance rate of almost 63 percent.
Under the natural environment targeted rate, Alice Eves scenic reserve had its track upgraded and stage two of that work is expected to be completed this term.
Aerial thermal imaging surveillance confirmed there were no wallabies on private land from north Ōrewa, west to Puhoi.
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. Two planting days were held locally and three schools in the Hibiscus and Bays area participated in the programme.
The natural environmental rate is predominantly focused on pest control – both plant and animal pests.
Funding from the rate locally went to organisations like Restore Hibiscus and Bays, which received $22,000 for pest monitoring and control and $15,000 for administrator’s wages. The rate also funded $714 for handsaws to help with clearing weeds from native bush at Whangaparāoa College.
Both of the rates were expected to expire in 2028 but have been extended to 2031 in order to maintain the improvements brought about by the rates.
Where the money went A total of $176,698 was spent to fund community initiatives on the Hibiscus Coast. Of that, $96,284 at least partly went towards wages or a new role developed in an organisation. Friends of Okura Bush • $10,000 towards coordinator wages to expand their reach within their project area, and to broader networks such as Restore Hibiscus and Bays. • $2700 for tools to support new private land plans. Restore Hibiscus and Bays • $15,000 towards administrator wages • $22,000 towards tools and resources for pest control, native plants and monitoring. Hibiscus Coast Forest and Bird (Pest Free Hibiscus Coast) • $39,284 towards Kaitohutohu Tikanga Aotūroa Māori role, Hub Activator wage contribution and backyard traps. • $55,000 towards project management costs related to future sustainability. Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi • $32,000 for an Operations Manager to assist with regional biodiversity outcomes, including a strong ecological connection with the end of Whangaparāoa Peninsula. Whangaparāoa College Tool library for schools received $714 for handsaws.
