Viewpoint – Up for the challenges

Since mid-2022, a series of events have impacted to create the current and forecast Auckland Council financial position. Cyclone Gabrielle followed on from a series of unseasonal weather events, with major implications for most of our Rodney community with road closures, destruction of infrastructure, homes and businesses alike. How did we the community respond? It is fair to say with great credit, but not so Auckland Council and Auckland Transport (AT), whose combined response was very much found “left wanting!”. Much of the recovery work is still yet to be completed, some yet to be started, particularly in regards to roading, with many lessons learnt regarding storm response. The many communities affected could well have expected a far greater proactive support response from both council and AT.

We talk a lot about the council but in this case AT has a major role to play in restoring existing roading and pedestrian infrastructure. There is particular concern about the local service roads that have been hammered, and left unrepaired, by contractors associated with the new motorway, who are now preparing to leave the site.

The council’s current financial position is precarious. The 2023/24 budget forecast is now a $325 million deficit. Various financial options have been proposed by council, canvassed for support via a recent akhaveyoursay.nz/budget poll, which resulted in a record community response. Among proposed council budget expenditure cuts is to close the Warkworth Service Centre, with potential experienced staff losses and the present service roles to be integrated within the existing library structure. A typical council response when the rural sector is involved, not really knowing how vital such a facility is to our local rural community. Particularly when a relatively modest saving is involved, compared to the forecast budget deficit.

Despite the recent climatic events and council’s current financial position, the medium-term outlook for northern Rodney is bright. Key features being our location relative to Auckland city, access to regional parks and beaches, together with progressive residential subdivision underway, forecast to provide some 3500 sections. An associated population growth to some 30,000 residents, with expansive commercial developments currently underway to provide for the employment required over the next 10 years. The challenge for council and AT, however, is to provide the necessary infrastructure. Opening of the new motorway and associated Matakana link road will provide the emphasis, together with the recent more fruitful discussions between AT, experienced roading engineers, members of One Mahurangi and Councillor Greg Sayers regarding the Hill Street intersection.

The challenges ahead are many so how will those in power respond? The scale of the environmental disaster will require the involvement of individual property owners, Auckland Council and government alike. The financial implications are major with critical decisions to be made by those involved over the coming weeks.