Legislation is progressing through parliament to help get Auckland’s traffic moving and to protect future wealth for Aucklanders.
The Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill has been introduced to parliament, and the Auckland Council (Auckland Future Fund) Bill is ready for its second reading, adding to a strong series of wins for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s policy agenda this year.
“I was elected on a platform to deliver better outcomes for Auckland. The introduction of the transport reform bill that will restore democratic control of transport to elected members and local communities is key to delivering on that promise.
“This is a major victory for the people of Auckland, frustrated with our daily traffic woes and who care about the region’s financial resilience,” says Mayor Brown.
The Auckland Future Fund bill sets up the principles of governance to ensure the Auckland Future Fund (AFF) continues as a long-term financial investment for the benefit of the current and future communities of the Auckland region.
Mayor Brown says the bill puts solid brakes in place to ensure the money is only ever used for what the fund was intended for.
“This is and has always been about building resilience into Auckland Council’s financial future. This bill ensures that the fund is only ever used for that,” says Mayor Brown.
He says the fund puts ratepayers’ money to better use.
“The fund is already contributing way more than the airport shares it came from, and that will benefit Aucklanders into the future.”
The fund, which is valued at just over $1.3 billion and returned a dividend of $38.4 million this financial year, means the council is more than $100 million better off than if it had kept its airport shares.
“We need to consider every ratepayer dollar and not only see its spend opportunity, but its return opportunity. Good investments like this offer a higher and steadier rate of return and provide more resilience to shocks that impact the council’s other assets. It is investments like this that take the pressure off rate rises.”
The mayor has strongly advocated for significant changes from the government this term, achieving major wins in water reform and the Building Act. These changes include the removal of the "last man standing" rules, which previously made ratepayers the insurer of last resort, and the elimination of transit visas for Chinese visitors.
“I identify problems, find solutions, and make deals. Last man standing was a problem -- solved. The transit visa was a stupid idea in the first place, so it was good to see common sense prevail. It also makes sense for the new Auckland Tech Alliance to provide leadership to this nascent sector alongside the government tech centre to be sited in Auckland, as we asked.
The next sensible thing to do is to set up a nationally consistent user-pays bed levy to bring big events to Auckland and revitalise the tourism sector and visitor economy; it’s no secret it’s struggling right now,” says Mayor Brown.
The mayor acknowledges there is still a lot of work to be done, including on the replacement plan change for housing in Auckland.
Minister Chris Bishop this week confirmed he expects a robust consultation and public hearings process to be held if Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning Committee vote to progress a replacement to Plan Change 78, after advocacy from Mayor Brown and Councillor Richard Hills.
The mayor says it’s the logical next move and shows the minister supports Aucklanders having their say on how to shape their city and regions.
“We are looking at the replacement draft plan because PC78 and the MDRS no longer work for us. We need a plan that stops developments in flood plains while intensifying where it makes sense, where we have the infrastructure,” says Mayor Brown.
“This is another win for my manifesto and a win for Aucklanders. This plan will determine how and where we live, so I understand its importance, and I invite everyone to have their say.”
