Councillor for Waitematā and Gulf Pippa Coom is urging Aotea residents to have a say on Auckland Council’s 10-year Recovery Budget.
Critical to the region’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, the Recovery Budget proposes the assets and services that Auckland Council will provide over the next 10-years and how it will pay for them.
A drop in Auckland Council’s revenue because of the pandemic will impact the next three years, with a predicted $540 million revenue shortfall between now and 2024 – around $1 billion since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.
Councillor Coom says that Auckland Council is committed to careful financial management and savings while maintaining relied upon services and supporting the region’s economic recovery.
“This is a challenging time for all of us and the impact is felt locally, but we can’t just return to ‘business as usual’.
“This is our collective opportunity to build back better, to create jobs and to think long-term for future generations and the health of our environment.
“To make the best decisions, we need to know what you think about the challenges we’re facing, locally on Aotea and as a region.
“Food and water security, transport improvements, addressing housing needs, greater protection for our marine and natural environments, action on climate change, more support for community-led initiatives – tell us what’s important to you and your community, and how you think we should pay for it, so that we can prioritise over the next 10-years,” says Councillor Coom.
Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Chair Izzy Fordham is also urging Aotea residents to give feedback on the proposed budget and says that the board is advocating for a number of issues affecting the island.
“We want to establish an emergency water supply and water security plan, continue progress on community-led food security initiatives, explore the mana whenua and community-led Ahu Moana approach, see better protections for the Hauraki Gulf and much more,” says Chair Fordham.
“We urge you to make your voice heard on the future of Aotea and the wider Auckland region. Please have your say on the Recovery Budget,” says Councillor Coom and Chair Fordham.
Have your say
Public feedback is now open until 22 March 2021.
Aotea residents can have their say in a variety of ways including in-person, online and written submissions.
A townhall style event will be held on Saturday 27 February, 10am-12pm at the Claris Conference Centre where residents can have their say in-person with Councillor Coom and the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board.*
For more information visit akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget
*Any changes to this event due to a shift in Alert Levels will be publicized at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget
