Auckland Council's Finance and Performance Committee today approved the reinvestment of property sales proceeds over the next one to three years into the ‘Transform and Unlock’ work programme, along with a broader suite of tools to fund urban development which will be included in the council’s 10-year Budget.
These tools include the reinvestment of the proceeds of property sales and some changes to existing funding tools, such as the Strategic Development Fund. Another potential funding tool - targeted rates for development areas – but this will require legislative change.
Revenues from disposals of approximately $200m will be reinvested across the Transform and Unlock programme to deliver amenity, activation and infrastructure projects. This will also involve the Council-approved acquisition of some strategic sites.
The Transform and Unlock programme involves the regeneration of many inner-city and ‘brownfield’ sites. These developments have the benefits of making use of existing infrastructure, such as water supply, stormwater and sewerage services, keeping development costs down. As well as making development more cost effective, this gives residents immediate access to already existing rail and bus routes and entertainment amenities.
Chair of the Finance and Performance Committee, Councillor Ross Clow says, “We need to be able to find ways to identify underutilised and tired areas in the central city. There are many areas that we will be able to optimise and reinvigorate through careful and sensitive development.
“To maintain the excellent quality of life that Aucklanders are used to and expect, we need to be creating more developments around existing hubs in the towns and villages throughout Auckland where there are already nearby transport options, schools, shops, community services and opportunities for recreation. By developing on existing brownfield sites, it is more likely that we can develop sustainable and affordable housing and an enhanced quality of life”, says Councillor Clow.
Potential areas for the ‘Transform and Unlock’ work programme are constantly under review by Panuku.
The following is a digest of decisions made. The agenda is available on Auckland Council’s website and minutes will be added once confirmed. This meeting was also webcast on the council’s website and items are available on demand.
Items 1-8 were administrative items except for Local Board Input (Item 6).
There were two items of Local Board input:
- Chair of the Manurewa Local Board, Angela Dalton, and Leigh Auton addressed the Committee on Item 11 with regard to the Manurewa town centre, with the request that the current Manukau boundary is extended as far as Te Mahia train station.
- Chair of the Upper Harbour Local Board, Lisa Whyte, made a submission on the disposal of reserve land required for the New Zealand Transport Authority Northern Corridor Improvements Project.
Item 9: Integrating the New Zealand National Maritime Museum into Regional Facilities Auckland
Council currently funds the Maritime Museum under the terms of the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act (ARAFA) through the provision of operational funding to a private Trust which currently operates the facility. On request from the Maritime Museum Trust Board, the RFA has agreed to the operational integration of the Maritime Museum into the RFA by 1 July 2018.
There are many anticipated benefits, including economies of scale and the leveraging of RFA expertise in visitor attractions.
Current funding levels will remain unchanged, with the 2018/2019 proposed funding being $2,184,500, therefore there is no net financial impact on council.
Item 10: Presentations from the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board
Presentations were given by the following regarding the work their organisations have done with Amenities funding:
- New Zealand Opera (Stuart Maunder)
- Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra (Barbara Glaser)
- Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (Greg Barrow)
- Drowning Prevention Trust (Darin Bray)
The Committee thanked the representatives for their attendance and for the good work they do.
Item 11: Progressing urban development
The Finance and Performance Committee today approved the reinvestment of property sales proceeds over the next 1 to 3 years into the Transform and Unlock work programme, along with a broader suite of tools to fund urban development which will be included in the council’s 10-year Budget.
Item 12: Response to the independent assessment of expenditure incurred by Auckland Council to deliver Māori outcomes
The committee thanked the Independent Māori Statutory Board for the report, accepted the 13 findings and agreed that Te Toa Takitini Executive Leadership Group will report progress to address the findings in the report.
Item 13: Te Toa Takitini - Quarter two report for the 2017/2018 financial year
The Committee noted progress on key Te Toa Takitini portfolio projects included in this report for the second quarter of 2017/2018.
Item 14: Disposal of reserve land required for the New Zealand Transport Authority Northern Corridor Improvements Project
The Committee approved the divestment of a combined total of approximately 3.8 hectares of reserve land to the New Zealand Transport Agency for motorway improvements at Upper Harbour, by transfer pursuant to Sections 50 and 52 of the Public Works Act 1981, subject to conditions. The committee noted the loss of reserve land and will consider funding to improve existing parks in the local board area following a full business case.
Item 15: Finance and Performance Committee – Information Report – 20 March 2018
The Finance and Performance Committee received the information report, 20 March 2018.
