Tunnels, light rail and a future-proofed water network are all systems go, as Auckland ploughs ahead with the largest infrastructure investment programme the city has seen in decades.
Speaking at the Building Nations Symposium this week, Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore told the conference how the Council will provide the infrastructure required for the unprecedented growth Auckland is experiencing.
“Auckland is going gangbusters,” he says. “We have huge population, commercial and infrastructure growth – and the pace at which this is happening means council has to move, and move fast.
“In an average week Auckland receives 825 new residents, 472 new jobs are created, 278 new dwellings are needed and 52 new students arrive.”
“By 2028 it is expected there will be 2 million people living in the region. This means Auckland will grow by the size of Tauranga every three years.
“Growth presents challenges for investment in transport, pipe networks and community infrastructure like sports fields.”
In June the council struck its 10-year Budget, beginning a decade of transformational infrastructure investment that will improve Auckland’s transport network, support the provision of housing and enhance our environment.
“More than $26 billion has been allocated for capital investment, focused on transport and water infrastructure to support new housing areas and intensification of existing areas. We’ve managed to do this while keeping general rate increases at 2.5 per cent for the next two years,” Mr Cashmore says.
“Auckland Council has set a debt target at 265 per cent of revenue. This is a prudent approach to ensure we that maintain our high credit rating, which in turn keeps our interest costs low.
“We’ve allocated $12 billion of capital investment for transport infrastructure, part of a $28 billion package with government over 10 years.
“We also introduced a regional fuel tax that when combined with subsidies will fund $4.3 billion of specific projects that would otherwise not progress.”
The council has also ring-fenced funds raised through new targeted rates to protect the environment and improve water quality, Mr Cashmore says.
“We’re reducing environmental degradation by upgrading stormwater systems to improve the water quality in our harbours.
“An additional $90 million will be spent mitigating the impact of climate change on coastal areas.
“We’re also protecting native species like kauri, ecological sites of significance and eradicating pests.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing these projects delivered to ensure that Auckland remains a great city for its residents and visitors alike to live, work and play in.
“Auckland is an engine room of New Zealand’s economy and when Auckland succeeds, so does the country.”
The Building Nations Symposium is the country’s largest yearly infrastructure conference. The theme this year is ‘Lifting the Vision, Creating Value’. Mr Cashmore also met with Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Transport Phil Twyford and UK Minister for Investment Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Investment, UK Department for International Trade at the event.
UK Minister for Investment @grahamstuart speaks with #Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore about infrastructure, and how the #UK and #NewZealand can continue to work together to improve #Auckland.@infra_nz #BNS2018 @tradegovuk @tradegovukNZL pic.twitter.com/AsU6AQd4YK
— UK in New Zealand (@UKinNZ) August 16, 2018
