Rodney’s parks, libraries, arts centres, rural halls and community centres will benefit from a total investment of $15.2 million for the financial year 2023-2024.
Adopted by the board in June, the Rodney Local Board agreement sets out key priorities for funding during the next financial year.
A further $10.2 million was allocated towards capital investment in the area.
Board chair Brent Bailey says the last year has been challenging for elected members as recovery efforts got underway after Cyclone Gabrielle.
“It will take tremendous effort and investment to rebuild our damaged infrastructure, road networks, parks, and community facilities,” he explains.
“That’s not all that’s going on, as our council’s recovery office works through the acquisition of high-risk properties, and healthy waters staff develop and roll out the Making Space for Water programme to build more resilience in extreme weather events.
“All this continues to place a heavy financial burden on ratepayers. Our local board has taken a pragmatic approach, as some things are clearly going to take a little longer to deliver than we had previously hoped.”
Key initiatives include:
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overseeing Rodney’s full facilities contracts
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improving open spaces, streetscapes, and townships
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supporting arts centres and extending arts outreach across Rodney
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holding more programmes for children and young people at council facilities
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supporting community centres in east Rodney.
Bailey says that when residents ask for things beyond the board’s decision-making, particularly around rural roads, it will continue to advocate to the Governing Body and central government.
“Rodney has sustained decades of growth in Kumeū but without the necessary transport and infrastructure investment, and this same level of growth is set to continue in Dairy Flat and Warkworth.
“That is why, we will continue to advocate for improved maintenance of our rural roading network, public transport, and community facilities.”
Bailey says the local board would like to thank everyone for their feedback, with 1,038 submissions received, and 56 per cent of submitters and 65 per cent of local organisations supporting all or most of the board’s priorities.
The board’s agreement is online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz [2.97MB]
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