With under a week to go, Aucklanders are being urged to have their say on Auckland Council’s Recovery Budget before consultation closes next Monday.

“We have heard from a wide range of Auckland’s diverse communities – from individuals, residents’ groups and business leaders – about the things that matter to them,” says Finance and Performance Committee Chair Councillor Desley Simpson.

“But we are urging more people to get online, give us a call, attend an event or pop along to their local library, council service centre or local board office and give us their feedback on our proposals. This includes our desire to bring forward work – by up to six years - to improve the quality of water in more of our waterways and beaches, but it can only be made possible if we increase and extend the Water Quality Targeted Rate.” 

So far nearly 8000 people and groups have submitted their opinions and ideas since the consultation opened on 22 February.  The main topics for consultation are:

• The Recovery Budget – includes proposals for an increase in capital investment to $31 billion over the next 10 years, a one-off five per cent average general rates increase, a short-term increase in council borrowing, continuation of council savings and selling more surplus council property.
• Climate Change – an additional $150 million investment to respond to the challenges of climate change.
• Extend the Water Quality Targeted Rate from 2028 until 2031 and increase each year in line with the projected average increase in general rates. This will help to continue and extend the improvements we have made to our beaches and waterways.
• Community Investment – we are proposing a new approach to how we deliver services in our communities which includes leasing, sharing or consolidating our facilities.
• There are also a number of ratings policy changes that could impact on your rates. Visit nz/ratesguide how proposals will impact your rates.

The full Consultation Document and Supporting Information, along with feedback forms are available at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget, and are available at our service centres, libraries and local board offices or by phoning 09 301 0101.

Ways to have your say

Despite disruption from COVID-19 alert levels, around 50 events and webinars have taken place with more are planned for this week. Full details are available at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget

For people who are unable to join an event or webinar, they can call 09 301 0101 and request a call back to give their feedback over the telephone. Alternatively, they can jump online and visit akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget to find out more and give their feedback.

Following consultation, all responses will be considered and our 10-year Budget 2021-2031 will be adopted in June 2021.

Decisions will be communicated once the budget is adopted and a summary report will be available on the council’s website.

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