Viewpoint – Challenges ahead

Auckland Council is now exactly half way through its current term.

I’m pretty sure that few previous councils have endured such sustained controversy and unpopularity. While part of this discontent is undoubtedly personal, part of it is also structural – that is to do with the way this ‘Super City’ has been set up with a dominant mayoral office and seven Council Controlled Organisations that are ‘controlled’ in name only.

You start to get the makings of a perfect storm when you combine the above with the need to catch up on the under-investment of the seven legacy councils while simultaneously trying to cope with unprecedented levels of growth across Auckland. In reality this is an all but impossible task solely on the back of a ratepayer base.

The latest controversy is the imposition of a $114 transport levy on residential ratepayers. This was introduced to raise more money for transport projects. I voted against this levy because it imposes an unacceptable level of rate increase and was sprung by the Mayor at the last minute. It wasn’t even mentioned in the household questionnaire mailed out to each home. It had no public mandate. Instead of the levy, funds could have been raised through greater economies from within the council organisation (particularly within CCO budgets), a regional fuel tax (which is fairer) and by lobbying government to fund more transport infrastructure. There are genuine alternatives to many of the decisions being made – alternatives to the city-centric focus, asset sales, ports fiasco, expensive stadium rejigs, environmental, sporting and community cut backs and so on. That’s why Wayne Walker and I have found ourselves amongst a group of about seven councillors who’ve fought hard against many decisions we regard as retrograde. It’s important that such opposition exists.

It’s not all doom and gloom on the council front however. Travelling around Auckland it’s clear that the Hibiscus Coast still enjoys a living environment and general council facilities that are the equal of any. If we can address our transport challenges through a joint funding deal over Penlink and expand our park and ride and ferry services, we will go a long way to retaining this quality of life, irrespective of other dark clouds on the council horizon.

In these circumstances our dual role is to secure as many gains as we can for the Albany Ward while also presenting constructive alternatives to the various ‘visions’ for the future currently being espoused. It’s not an easy role but it is an important one.