Auckland Council has been implementing savings across the organisation, achieving $332 million over the last three years, which has helped keep rates down and reduce debt. In the past year alone, the council saved $60.2 million, which helps reduce rate increases.
Auckland Council Chief Executive Phil Wilson expressed his satisfaction with the smart decision-making that has led to savings for ratepayers while maintaining services.
“We know Aucklanders are finding it hard out there right now, and these savings are the result of a lot of hard work and focus on building a culture of efficiency in the organisation, to ensure we are doing our bit to ease the ratepayer burden,” said Mr. Wilson.
“It’s important that the council respects every dollar contributed by our community and uses it to the greatest effect – ultimately that is how we create value for money, and build trust and confidence with ratepayers.”
This year's savings were achieved through measures such as reducing corporate property. By relocating teams into fewer buildings, the council saved $17 million annually and avoided $184 million in running costs over ten years. Other strategies included centralising and reducing council support functions, optimising maintenance, and integrating service centres into libraries.
“Most importantly, these savings have not had a significant impact on the services we deliver to Aucklanders,” Mr. Wilson added. “Because as much as we want to save money, the organisation needs to maintain the excellent services and facilities that the community values.”
Wilson highlighted amenities like regional parks, which saw 7.3 million visits, and pools and leisure centres, which attracted 8.2 million visitors in the past year.
Auckland Council aims to save an additional $140 million over the next three years. Mr. Wilson emphasized that the council will strive to meet these targets while continuing to provide high-quality services, ensuring that Aucklanders enjoy living in the region with affordable rates.
