Councillor for Waitematā and Gulf Pippa Coom is urging Waihekeans 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 Waiheke and as a region.
“Transport improvements, food and water security, 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.
Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley is also urging Waihekeans to give feedback on the proposed budget and says that the Board is advocating for a wide variety of issues affecting the island.
“We want to see better protections for the Hauraki Gulf, implementation of the Mātiatia Strategic Plan and funding for our 10-year Transport Plan, a completion of key stormwater projects to stop local flooding, increased support for community-led resilience and recovery plans and much more.
“Locals need to know that there is an option here to keep the Accommodation Providers Targeted Rate (APTR) suspended for another full year,” says Chair Handley.
“We urge you to make your voice heard on the future of Waiheke and the wider Auckland region. Please have your say on the Recovery Budget,” says Councillor Coom and Chair Handley.
Have your say
Public feedback is now open until 22 March 2021.
Waihekeans can have their say in a variety of ways including at in-person events, by making written submissions and online.
In-person events with Councillor Coom and Waiheke Local Board include at a drop-in session at Waiheke Library on Saturday 6 March, 11am-12.30pm and a roundtable-style event at the local board office on Monday 15 March, 5.30pm-7pm.*
For more information visit: akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget
*Any changes to these events due to a shift in Alert Levels will be publicised at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget
