Long Term Plan Feedback

Auckland Council is currently seeking submissions on its 10 year Long Term Plan.This is a document which sets out the activities, services and investments planned for the next 10 years and how they will be paid for. This year’s iteration is an important one, as the Council has suffered revenue loss and needs to prioritise its spending.

The online consultation process hasn’t been made easy! You visit this site, https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/…/10-year…and there are 5 ‘key issues’ to look into.

However, I’ve found the main consultation document and supporting info document far more useful: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/documents…

The consultation document shows the effects the difference in rates rise would have. At a standard 3.5% rates rise, there are heaps of delays in community projects, including our own Waikōwhai landfill.

There are also questions around extending the Natural Environment Targeted Rate and the Water Quality Targeted Rate. These have both been really useful programs, and having the money ‘ringfenced’ for them means it has been spent where it is needed. The proposed extension to the Water Quality Targeted rate would see sped up investment in cleaning up the Manukau Harbour, so it is one that is very close to my heart.

There are also a whole lot of other questions, including about removing late fines from Library books, and rates being set in other areas.

However, to my mind the most important things are to show your support for: 1) The proposed 10 year budget. 2) Proposed increased investment in climate change. 3) An extension and increase in the Water Quality Targeted Rate. Under Question 5, Support extending the Natural Environment Targeted Rate as well.

There is also space for you to comment on our Local Board priorities for this 10 year period, please have a read of those as well.

I realise that this is a lot to ask! There is enough material there to keep you reading for hours. It’s super important that we get submissions from a good range of people on this. Happy to answer any questions you may have.