The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward area is set to receive an investment boost in transport, community facilities and future development because of Auckland Council’s newly agreed 10-year Budget.
The council agreed its $26 billion budget last Thursday, which sets out a historic level of investment in Auckland, with transport infrastructure, environmental initiatives and other projects in line for funding to keep pace with Auckland’s growth.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says:
“This is a fantastic day for Auckland beginning ten years of transformative work that tackles the critical issues of transport congestion and protecting our environment.
“These issues have sat in the too hard basket for too long, but not anymore. This council has taken responsibility for delivering a better Auckland that will over time have a more efficient and effective transport network, more houses, cleaner water and a healthier environment.
“I want to thank Councillor Bartley for helping deliver this 10-year Budget and the largest ever investment in our region’s infrastructure,” said Mayor Goff.
Planned investment for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward over the next 10 years includes:
- Unlock Panmure
- Investment in water quality that will address wastewater overflows, pollution from road run-off and sedimentation. This fund will be used to clean up Omaru River
- Growth-related transport infrastructure including Sylvia Park bus improvements and Mt Wellington intersection improvements
- Upgrade of Onehunga line
- East West Link (revised)
- Increased local board initiative funding
- Funding for asset renewals
- Waikaraka sports field development
- Funding for parks development in Tamaki area
- 16.8 million Tamaki transformation
- 57.1 million transform Onehunga
- Manukau Harbour Crossing (walking and cycling).
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Councillor Josephine Bartley says, “We have worked really hard to ensure Maungakiekie-Tāmaki gets the level of investment it needs in the coming decade. The Unlock Panmure and project will receive the funding needed to transform these great communities into leading Auckland residential and business hubs. Investing back into our community will, in return, positively influence the relationships of all people.”
Councillor Bartley thanked Governing Body members for supporting the allocation of $250,000 towards the upgrade of Ruapotaka Marae. “It is a wonderful facility that promotes cross-cultural understanding to all communities in our area. It is a vital part of our own heartland.”
A regional fund increase that will benefit the area is the $90 million capex funding for coastal asset management. Councillor Bartley will be working with the local board for funding to be used to address coastal erosion at Wai o Taiki Bay.
“I want to acknowledge Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board for their work in raising advocacy items with the Governing Body, chair Chris Makoare and deputy chair Debbie Burrows. I think this budget has a lot of benefits for our communities. This investment ensures the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki area will grow and thrive as will the wider Auckland community,” said Councillor Bartley.
The final 10-year Budget will be approved on 28 June.
Key decisions made:
- Largest ever council transport investment of $12 billion over the next 10 years (including $4.3 billion from leveraging the Regional Fuel Tax).
- Cleaning up Auckland’s waterways and beaches with new investment of $452 million in stormwater infrastructure through a water quality targeted rate.
- Protecting kauri and our native flora and fauna with an additional $311 million from a natural environment targeted rate to fund pest and disease control.
- Adapting to climate change and protecting communities with the establishment of a $40 million Climate Change Response Fund and an additional $90 million for coastal asset management.
- Investing in sports and culture by establishing a contestable fund of $120 million for sports and recreation facilities and an additional $20 million funding for the Auckland Art Gallery.
- Delivering improved social outcomes with the expansion of The Southern Initiative into West Auckland to increase employment and life skills for young Aucklanders and $475,000 to help Auckland City Mission redevelop its Hobson Street site.
- Restricting the average general rate rise to 2.5 per cent for this term of council and continuing Value for Money programme of section 17a reviews and a new corporate property strategy saving $117 million to deliver efficiency and effectiveness at council.
