Aucklanders are having their say on Auckland Council’s Recovery Budget despite the snap Alert Level 3 lockdown.
After two weeks of consultation, Aucklanders have submitted over 5500 pieces of feedback on the Recovery Budget. This is ahead of the 4913 responses over the same period for the previous 10-year Budget in 2018.
Deputy Chair of the council’s Finance and Performance Committee, Councillor Shane Henderson, comments:
“Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone who has stepped forward to have their say. But we are in a situation where our future is far from certain and we want to hear from all Aucklanders about what they think the Recovery Budget proposals mean for them.
“We want to help Auckland’s economy recover from the impacts of COVID-19 by continuing to invest in the critical infrastructure, services and facilities it needs.
“We’re proposing to increase borrowing, build on our savings and efficiencies and continue the sale of surplus council property because we know we will not have enough revenue to support recovery and growth and provide the essential services our communities value so highly.
“That’s why it is so important that we hear from people and communities about what is important to them.”
Balancing Act
For the first time, Aucklanders can have a go themselves at balancing the financial pressures of supporting Auckland’s recovery and growth against the need to provide the day-to-day essential services people rely on.
Through the budget simulator, people can enter how they think the council can raise funding through things such as borrowing, selling assets and rates rises. But that then leaves tough decisions on where they can spend – or not – the funds they raise.
Our Recovery Budget - key topics for consultation
- The Recovery Budget – includes proposals for an increase in capital investment to $31 billion over the next 10 years, a one-off five per cent average general rates increase, a short-term increase in council borrowing, continuation of council savings and selling more surplus council property.
- Climate Change – an additional $150 million investment to respond to the challenges of climate change.
- Extend the Water Quality Targeted Rate from 2028 until 2031 and increase each year in line with the projected average increase in general rates. This will help to continue and extend the improvements we have made to our beaches and waterways.
- Community Investment – we are proposing a new approach to how we deliver services in our communities which includes leasing, sharing or consolidating our facilities.
- There are also a number of ratings policy changes that could impact on your rates.
Find out more and ways to have your say
The Consultation Document and Supporting Information, along with feedback forms are available at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget, and are available at our service centres, libraries and local board offices or by phoning 09 301 0101.
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If you plan to visit one of our locations in person, please check opening hours as times may vary due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time. At Alert Level 3 and above, council offices will be closed. Please refer to OurAuckland for the latest information. |
You can visit akhaveyoursay.nz/ratesguide to find out how proposals in the 10-year Budget 2021-2031 may impact your rates from 1 July 2021.
Have your say events and webinars are also being run across the region. Check akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget for events in your area. Events may be subject to COVID-19 restrictions so please be aware times or locations may change or cancelled at short notice.
Following consultation, all feedback will be considered and our 10-year Budget 2021-2031 adopted in June 2021.
Decisions will be communicated once the budget is adopted and a summary report will be available on the council’s website.
