The North Shore will benefit from Auckland Council’s record capital investment over the next 10 years focussed on keeping the region running and continuing to build for the future of local communities.
The council’s Governing Body adopted the 10-year Budget (2021-2031) at the end of June, which provides for a $31.8 billion capital expenditure programme. The spending is at its highest level ever despite the difficult financial circumstances the organisation is facing in the short term.
Included in the plan is $900 million to be invested in parks and community facilities, a significant proportion of this being used to renew existing assets.
The increase and extension of the Water Quality Targeted Rate means there is an additional $256M to invest in projects to improve water quality in several areas, including the Wairau Catchment which sits within the boundaries of both the Devonport-Takapuna and Kaipātiki local board areas.
Among the local asset improvements budgeted for in the plan in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area:
- Upgrading the Patuone Reserve Walkway will allow for both cycling and walking and connect Takapuna with Devonport. Work on the section between Auburn Reserve to Greydene Place got underway in June
- Funding for the new toilet changing block at Milford Beach Reserve which is already underway is also included in the plan along with renewed toilet and change facilities at Gould and Becroft reserves
- Our playgrounds are also in for some love with renewals scheduled for Montgomery, Lansdowne, Linwood, Nile, Kawerau, Aramoana, Belle Verde and Selwyn reserves budgeted for
- Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre will also have some significant maintenance work carried out.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Ruth Jackson says facing the challenge of constrained budgets, the board is committed to ensuring it continues to support its community, organisations, and businesses to provide programmes to assist recovery and resilience.
“Water quality is a big concern in our area, so we’re delighted that the Wairau catchment is now listed as a key priority for funding from the Water Quality Targeted Rate, and that the increased targeted rate ensures that the great work already underway to improve water quality in the Wairau and local beaches will continue.
“We, like other local boards welcome the reinstatement of the Transport Capital Fund which will enable us to make progress towards a safe walking and cycling connection from Francis Street to Esmonde Road," she says.
Kaipātiki Local Board
Among the local asset improvements in the Kaipātiki Local Board area included in the budget are:
- Continued investment in making tracks and improved signage in some of our local parks kauri safe to protect against the spread of kauri dieback disease. The majority of which funded through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate
- $3M has is allocated for improvements Tuff Crater Reserve, including:
- Track upgrades
- Improved signage
- Replacing the boardwalk, new gravel and stabilising the bank at St Peters Overlook, Onepoto/Exmouth Connection, St Peter's lookout staircase and combined SeaPath connections.
- Construction of the new environmental education centre at 17 Lauderdale Rd in Birkdale, operated by the Kaipātiki Project. Construction started earlier this year and is due for completion in 2022.
- $4.6M to progress coastal asset renewals at Beach Haven. Scope of projects are still to be determined.
The first section of the Tuff Crater project got underway in July with St Peters lookout to be replaced and rerouting the boardwalk so that it is more accessible.
Find out more
As part of the 10-year Budget, each of the local boards also consulted on its Local Board Agreements for 2021/2022 year which outline its priorities, activities, and budgets for the 2021/2022 year.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Agreement 2021/2022
Kaipātiki Local Board Agreement 2021/2022
Learn more about The 10-year Budget 2021-2031 on the Auckland Council website.
