Westies, it’s time to make your voices count!

West Aucklanders are being urged to make sure their voices are heard on the council’s Annual Plan consultation, open now until 28 March, as community feedback will be key to help shape decisions that impact Auckland.

The plan focuses on strengthening Auckland’s financial and physical resilience, while investing where it is needed most to manage growth. It includes prioritising investment in key areas such as:

• transport

• water

• fairer funding for local communities.

More funding for west Auckland

For years, funding across Auckland’s 21 local boards has been uneven. The new plan aims to fix this, allocating an additional $35 million in operating funding and $33 million in capital funding to local boards.

Both Whau and Waitākere Ranges Local Boards will receive increased funding from this change, meaning more resources for those communities.

Your voice matters

West Auckland’s Whau and Waitākere ward councillors are encouraging locals to have their say.

“Council’s planning process sets the direction for investment and improvements across Auckland, including here in Whau. We need your feedback to ensure we’re making the right decisions—so let us know what you think!” Says Whau Ward councillor, Kerrin Leoni.

Waitākere Ward councillor Shane Henderson says that hearing from Aucklanders is a vital part of the planning process.

“While there aren’t significant changes to service or investment levels to what has been planned, there are proposals that could impact Aucklanders, such as the proposed bed night levy, which would help fund a $7million shortfall for funding of major events such as the ASB Classic and Auckland Marathon.

“All feedback helps, and I really want to encourage westies in particular to make sure they take the time to give us feedback, whether it be online or at a Have Your Say event,” says Cr Henderson.

Consultation is open now until 28 March.

Visit www.akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan to find out more and have your say, or visit one of the west Auckland in person events below: