Aucklanders support increased investment in transport, environment and water quality, according to the results of feedback to Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget consultation and an independent Colmar Brunton survey released on Thursday 27 April.
What you need to know:
- The majority of Aucklanders support increased investment to address longstanding issues
- Fuel tax, environment and water targeted rate supported
- Record 30,000 responses to the 10-year Budget consultation
More than 32,000 pieces of feedback were received on the consultation held in March, including 26,556 written submissions, making it the biggest response to a budget consultation in Auckland’s history.
Independent survey
The Colmar Brunton survey was conducted independently to achieve a representative outcome from a cross-section of Aucklanders, and showed 52 per cent in support of a Regional Fuel Tax, while consultation responses show 46 per cent in favour.
Final figures for written submissions reflect influence by standard mass-submitted replies by lobby groups late in the consultation period. Leaving these aside, submissions to the 10-year Budget reflected similar patterns of support for investing in transport, our environment and improving water quality shown in the Colmar Brunton representative survey.
Targeted rates supported
Both the survey and consultation showed support for new targeted rates to improve water quality at Auckland’s beaches and protect kauri and other native species:
- 60 per cent support for a targeted rate to improve water quality (Colmar Brunton) with 61 per cent support in the consultation
- 66 per cent support in the Colmar Brunton survey for a targeted rate of either $21 or $47 per year to increase protection for kauri and other native species with 51 per cent support for one of the two options in the consultation.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said, “Generally, no one wants to pay more for any service. However, these results show Aucklanders understand that we need to pay more to fix the things that really matter in our city.
“Aucklanders have seen the consequences of decades of underinvestment in transport, water infrastructure and our environment. This council wants to take these issues out of the too hard basket and take responsibility for addressing them.
“Aucklanders have backed us to increase investment and deliver a better transport network, cleaner water and to protect our native species.
“Fixing transport in Auckland is a priority and the regional fuel tax will enable more than $4 billion of investment in critical transport infrastructure. Without it, we would be able to do little more than fund the operation and renewal of the existing transport system and projects which have already been committed to.
“A targeted rate on water and the environment together would come to about $1.70 a week for the average residential household and allow us to clean up our streams and beaches, and protect our kauri, our forests and our native bird life.
“The regional fuel tax and targeted rates are transparent so Aucklanders know where that money is going and what it’s paying for,” Phil Goff said.
Decisions on the final 10-year Budget will take place in May and June this year.
Find out more
Read the full Colmar Brunton survey report
Read the Auckland Council 10-year Budget consultation update
