TAHUA A-TAU ANNUAL BUDGET CONSULTATION DOCUMENT Help guide Auckland’s direction for 2016/2017
Ngā kōrero mō tēnei pukapuka About this documentOnce every three years, councils are required to adopt a long-term plan (10-year budget),
and in the intervening years an annual plan, otherwise known as an annual budget. Each
year our budget sets rates for the year and includes a Local Board Agreement for each of our
21 local boards.
This consultation document seeks your input to help us develop our annual budget for
2016/2017, which will cover the second year of the current 10-year budget.
Parts 1 and 2 of this document provide information about our plans for 2016/2017 as set out
in our 10-year budget. Parts 3, 4 and 5 seek your feedback on some potential changes to our
plans. Part 6 lets you know how and when you can have your say on these changes.
We would like your feedback on:
1. Some possible changes to our rating policies and therefore your rates. These policies don’t
determine the total amount of rates we need to collect, but rather, how rates are shared
across different groups of ratepayers.
2. A range of issues relating to your local area.
Whakapuakina ō whakaaro
Have your sayConsultation on our annual budget 2016/2017 closes at 4pm, 24 March 2016.
For more information, including the supporting information for this consultation document,
you can:
visit shapeauckland.co.nz
phone 09 301 0101 or
visit your local board office, service centre or library.
Final decisions will be made by June 2016 and will be available on shapeauckland.co.nz in
July.
Rārangi Kōrero
ContentsPart 1: Introduction
Background
Part 2: Our budget for 2016/2017
Responding to growth
Our planned investment
Paying for this investment
Day-to-day service delivery
Part 3: Your rates
Part 4: Priorities in your local area
Part 5: What else is going on?
Part 6: Having your say
How to have your say
Feedback form
Wāhanga 1: Kupu Whakataki
Part 1: Introduction
Background
Auckland is the fastest growing region in New Zealand. The population is expected to reach
2.2 million in the next three decades.
More people want to live and work here than anywhere else in the country. Our economy is
booming – GDP grew at 3.7 per cent in 2014 and 37,000 new jobs were created. To manage
that growth, we have to ensure our services, infrastructure and facilities can cope with the
added demand.
Managing our finances
Following feedback from more than 27,000 Aucklanders, last year we settled on our 10-year
budget that will see the biggest investment in Auckland over the next ten years than in any
previous decade: $18.7 billion. This includes investment in local community projects such as
upgrading libraries and sports fields, along with major roading and public transport upgrades
to help get the whole region moving.
Our 10-year budget is about balancing the need for investment with affordability. We have
kept rates increases to a minimum by containing our core costs and achieving over $200
million per annum of efficiency gains so far.
Our strong credit ratings of AA from Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 from Moody’s Investors
Service have both been recently confirmed.
Fixing Auckland’s Transport
The feedback on our 10-year budget indicated that a majority of Aucklanders wanted to see
more progress with transport. Discussions with central government are now well underway
on the long-term solution to Auckland’s transport problems. In the meantime, to address our
most urgent transport priorities, we introduced an Interim Transport Levy for three years,
which now enables us to invest an additional $523 million in transport over that period across
Auckland.
We decided that the simplest and fairest way to charge this interim levy was as a fixed
charge of $114 a year for all households and $183 a year for all businesses. This has
enabled us to get on with delivering initiatives such as:
52 kilometres of cycleways
45 additional kilometres of bus lanes
six new, replaced or extended park and rides
route protection/enabling works for the North Western Busway
earlier delivery of local and arterial road improvements
earlier delivery of bus-rail interchanges.
Making the most of our assets
When we decided on our 10-year budget, we wanted to ensure that ratepayers are getting
the best value from the large portfolio of council-owned assets. We engaged EY (Ernst &
Young) and Cameron Partners to look at all the assets and identify opportunities to enhance
this value.
These reports are now available to view here.
We are already progressing work on some of the more operation-focused opportunities, while
the discussion on our assets is just beginning. We do not currently have any proposals to
change our ownership or control of Ports of Auckland or our shares in Auckland Airport, and
we will undertake full public consultation on any proposed changes before making decisions.
While we continue work on these longer-term issues, we also need to get on with delivering
our current plans. For 2016/2017, this means delivering year two of our 10-year budget. That
is the focus of this document.
Wāhanga 2: Tā mātou tahua mō 2016/2017
Part 2: Our budget for 2016/2017
Responding to growth
Responding to Auckland’s rapidly growing population is the biggest driver of our investment
plans and financial projections for 2016/2017.
Figure 1 shows that more people create the need for more houses and infrastructure assets
such as public transport, roads, parks and wastewater. More infrastructure assets in turn
mean higher council debt and rising ownership costs such as interest and maintenance.
Combined with the additional cost of providing day-to-day services for more people, these
rising ownership pressures are increasing the council’s total operating costs faster than the
rate of inflation. While efficiency gains and higher growth-related revenue are helping, rates
increases higher than the rate of inflation are necessary if Auckland is to continue to invest in
response to this rapid growth.
Our investment
Our planned investment for 2016/2017 builds on our significant investment in new assets for
Auckland over the past five years, including:
almost a billion dollars on roads and footpaths, including Tiverton Road and Wolverton
Street in New Lynn, Albany Highway, Te Atatū Road, and continued investment in the
Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI)
$1.1 billion on public transport, including the rollout of 57 electric trains, the new rail
station and transport hub at Manukau, upgraded stations and bus interchanges across
the network, and new ferry facilities and services to Hobsonville and Beach Haven
$220 million on land for new parks, including local parks in new developments
$190 million expanding and improving our stormwater network
$900 million on water and wastewater infrastructure, including the upgrade of the
Waikato Water Treatment Plant, expanding networks to support urban growth, and
wastewater solutions to protect our harbours
$50 million on new or upgraded libraries including Ōtāhuhu, Ranui, Devonport,
Wellsford and Waiheke.
For 2016/2017, our 10-year budget sets out a further $1.2 billion of investment in new assets
as well as $700 million to look after existing ones. Aucklanders will see this investment occur
across the region and in a wide range of council services. This investment will also range
from large projects spanning multiple years, such as the City Rail Link and the AMETI,
through to local projects such as upgrades to community centres, libraries and sports fields.
Figure 2 lists some of the investment highlights for 2016/2017.
Albany Stadium Pool
We are building a new recreational swimming pool near QBE Stadium to cater for the
growing population in north Auckland. With a focus on fun and recreation, this facility will
have something for all ages. A zero-depth splash pad will provide toddlers with their first
aquatic experience with exciting splash and spray water toys, while the shallow pools will
include slides, water cannons and a large play structure for children to develop confidence in
the water. For more confident children and adults the leisure pool can be set up for an array
of water activities and structured lane swimming, and will have a permanent climbing wall in
the deep end.
Ōtāhuhu Bus-Train Interchange
We are building a new bus-train interchange at the Ōtāhuhu railway station to provide better
connected and more frequent public transport services. This modern, high-quality facility will
feature architecture reflecting the local and historical context. Separate paths for buses,
trains, pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles will improve safety, while covered bus
platforms, cycle storage racks and dedicated passenger drop-off zone will make using public
transport easier and more enjoyable.
City Rail Link
Work has now begun on the City Rail Link (CRL), which will include a new underground rail
line and two new underground train stations in the city centre. By connecting up the existing
rail lines we will be able to provide more frequent trains with more direct services to the city
centre. It will enable trains to run every 10 minutes at peak times for most stations, carrying
up to 30,000 people an hour.
The CRL has transport benefits for large parts of Auckland, including road users, as making
public transport (as one network) a better travel choice will ease pressure on roads for those
who need to use them.
Without the CRL, the bus network will be over capacity, creating major traffic problems. For
example, more than 250 buses an hour will be needed on Symonds Street, and traffic speeds
in the city centre would drop to 7km/h by 2021, 5km/h by 2041. Rail users will see:
a train about every 7 to 10 minutes at peak for most Auckland stations
faster, more frequent public transport services with increased rail feeder buses freeing up city
centre arterial bus services
getting to other parts of the city using public transport from areas such as New Lynn will be
much quicker e.g. New Lynn to Aotea Square will be under 30 minutes.
Westhaven Marine Village
We are building a hub for businesses in the marine industry, right in the heart of the country’s
biggest marina. The Westhaven Marine Village will provide purpose-built accommodation for
marine businesses such as chandlers, brokerages, and other specialist services. The total
development will encompass 9400 square metres of space that will include shop fronts, office
space, and versatile areas to suit practical industry requirements, as well as further dining
options. It will be fronted by the Westhaven Promenade, also making it a place to stop, rest,
and enjoy a cold drink or bite to eat.
Westgate Town Centre
Auckland Council and New Zealand Retail Property Group are building the new Westgate
regional town centre in the western part of Auckland. This new centre's civic heart will include
a new 3500m2 library featuring a unique children's reading and storytelling 'cocoon' space,
community rooms, a café and Citizens' Advice Bureau. The large civic space will be a
pedestrian-friendly, slow-speed zone or shared space. It will also be a place for people to
gather and relax with family and friends.
Sports field redevelopment
Auckland sportspeople can spend more time playing, thanks to Auckland Council’s $43
million investment in developing the region’s sports fields over the last three years. By
developing new fields, improving drainage, installing floodlights, sand carpets and artificial
turf we have increased capacity by 773 playing hours a week.
But there is still work to do. Over the next three years we will be upgrading toilets and
changing rooms at 10 sports parks, creating three new hockey turfs and several new or
upgraded netball courts. We will add a further 526 playing hours a week to our sports field
network by providing for:
44 fields to be floodlit
39 fields to be sand carpeted
4 fields to be developed as fibre-reinforced sand carpet fields plus floodlights
3 fields to be developed as artificial turf fields plus floodlights.
Paying for this investmentTo pay for continued investment in Auckland (including the $1.2 billion investment in new
assets for 2016/2017) our current plan would see us:
retaining the three-year Interim Transport Levy of $114 per year for residential properties and
$183 for business properties
increasing overall average general rates by 3.2 per cent (an average increase of $1.50 per
week for residential properties)
increasing water and wastewater charges by 2.5 per cent (an average increase of $0.40 per
week for residential properties)
increasing council debt from $8 billion to $8.85 billion, while ensuring that interest costs do
not exceed 12 per cent of our revenue (see Figure 3).
We consider this increase in debt to be appropriate on the basis that it is primarily driven by
investment in new assets with long, useful lives. The benefits from this expenditure will be
spread over time, and using debt financing means that costs will be shared with those people
who will benefit from the assets in the future.
Our financial strategy sets limits on the council’s borrowing, to maintain debt at a sustainable
level. While total group debt is projected to reach $11.6 billion by 2025, it will still remain at a
prudent level in comparison to our income. This prudent approach to debt is a key reason
why we have a AA Standard & Poor’s credit rating – the highest in New Zealand apart from
central government. None of the issues we are seeking feedback on in this document have
any implications for our financial strategy.
Day-to-day service deliveryFor 2016/2017, our 10-year budget sets out an operating budget of $3.7 billion. This supports
our investment programme and pays for a wide range of day-to-day services such as
maintaining roads, collecting rubbish and running libraries. While this is a large budget, it
reflects the high cost of running the largest council in Australasia, and providing all the
services that Aucklanders expect and value.
Some key examples of these costs include:
maintaining more than 7000km of road, 7000km of footpaths, 41 rail stations, 21
wharves, 14 ferry facilities and six busway stations costs over $110 million per annum
over $110 million per annum to assist the funding of public transport trips
mowing our 241 sports parks and 3000 local parks costs $17 million per annum
maintaining and operating parks, sport and recreation facilities (including 927
playgrounds and 43 aquatic and recreation centres) costs over $65 million per annum
running 54 local libraries along with the central library is $50 million per annum
Watercare run water and wastewater services at a cost of over $200 million per
annum
it costs $90 million per annum to provide rubbish collection, recycling and inorganic
collections
providing funding assistance to major facilities such as Auckland War Memorial
Museum $29 million, MOTAT $12 million, Auckland Zoo $8 million, Auckland Art
Gallery $11 million
grants of $60 million support a range of regional and local community, arts and cultural
groups and facilities e.g. Auckland Theatre Company, Auckland Arts Festival,
Auckland Philharmonia, Howick Historic Village, Te Tuhi, Lopdell House, Q Theatre,
North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust
working in partnership with others to leverage our $18 million investment next year on
major and regional events including the NRL 9s, the V8s in Pukekohe, the Pasifika
Festival and preparation for the World Masters Games.
In 2016/2017, the council must also cover the costs of holding an election with 1,054,619
registered voters, and putting in place the Auckland Unitary Plan – the single rulebook for
development in Auckland.
To minimise the impact of rising operating costs on rates, we have been working hard over
the past five years to contain core costs and achieve efficiency gains of over $200 million per
annum so far. Over the same period we added a city the size of Tauranga to our population.
Figure 4 shows that the council’s core operating costs from 2010 to 2015 (as reported in our
audited accounts) on a per capita basis are still well below the level of 2009 – immediately
prior to amalgamation.
Figure 5 shows further information about our budget for next year.
Wāhanga 3: Ō rēti
Part 3: Your rates
Calculating your rates
Rates support our investment in Auckland and also help pay for the hundreds of essential
day-to-day services the council provides. These include things like park maintenance, civil
defence, animal management, upkeep of sports fields, cleaning up graffiti, pollution
response, pest management and much more.
The 2016/2017 overall rates increase of 3.2 per cent set out in our 10-year Budget (LTP) was
determined by the council’s proposed spending levels and projected non-rates revenue for
the year. If council spending is reduced (or non-rates revenue increased) then this overall
rates increase can be lowered.
Calculating the share of rates that each household and business property pays involves a
number of factors. The factors that make the most difference are property value and
ratepayer category – e.g. residential, business or farm/lifestyle. The council’s rating policies
can change how rates are spread across individual properties. While we try hard to make
these policies as fair as possible, rating systems are not perfect and there are a wide range
of views about which policies are the fairest.
In recent years property revaluation and the transition to a single rating system across
Auckland have led to wide variations in the rates increases that individual businesses and
households pay. If we made no changes to our rating policy for 2016/2017, then for the first
time since amalgamation all ratepayers would have the same rates increases. Specifically, all
households would have a 3.5 per cent rates increase and all businesses would have a 2.5
per cent rates increase11.
1 There would be some exceptions for Franklin business ratepayers who are still transitioning
to a new rating policy, properties with new additions or extensions, and any specific
properties affected by a new or changed targeted rate. The council is also reducing the
proportion of rates collected from businesses in equal steps from 32.7 per cent to 25.8 per
cent by 2036/2037. This means that residential and farm/lifestyle ratepayers will have slightly
Have your say
We consider that the single rating system now in place for Auckland is fair and appropriate.
However, given the range of differing views about which polices are the fairest, we are
interested in hearing your views about whether we should change some of our policies.
The key rating issues we want your feedback on this year relate to:
1. The fixed charge portion of rates, known as the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC).
2. The Interim Transport Levy amount paid by businesses versus the amount paid by all
other ratepayers and the amount businesses pay for the Interim Transport Levy in relation
to their property value.
3. The rates paid by farm/lifestyle properties over 50 hectares.
4. Reducing the rates collected from Māori land in Auckland to reflect restrictions on its use.
higher rates increases each year.
1. Fixed charge (Uniform Annual General
Charge or UAGC)
Last year we received over 14,000 feedback points in response to a question on the level of
the UAGC. The highest amount of feedback (49 per cent) supported our current rating policy,
with a fixed charge of $397 in 2016/2017.
This year we are seeking your views on whether or not it would be fairer to change this fixed
charge within the range of $350 to $650. Figure 6 shows the total general rates for different
valued properties for different fixed charge options. For example, for a $500,000 property,
decreasing the fixed charge would reduce the general rates for that property, while increasing
the fixed charge would increase that property’s rates. The opposite applies for a $1million
property.
If the UAGC stays at $397 then all residential ratepayers will have the same rates increase. If
it is raised to $650 then around 84,000 ratepayers with higher value properties will have rates
decreases and around 135,000 lower value properties will have increases of more than 10
per cent.
If you want to see how the different options would affect the rates you pay for your property,
check out our online rates calculator at shapeauckland.co.nz. For more information on this
issue please see section 2.1 of the supporting information for this consultation document.
Feedback Question:
What is your opinion on the fixed charge portion of rates, known as the Uniform Annual
General Charge (UAGC)?
If changed, what should the fixed charge be, within the range of $350 to $650?
See question 1a and 1b on the feedback form.
2. Interim Transport Levy
Through the 10-year budget process, we received strong feedback telling us that
Aucklanders want to see urgent action on transport issues to help get the region moving. To
enable this, the council agreed to an accelerated transport programme that includes extra
investment of $523 million for three years. This would be funded through a combination of
New Zealand Transport Agency funding, council debt and a three-year Interim Transport
Levy (ITL).
We want your views on two aspects on how we charge the ITL for the next two years:
what is a fair share of the ITL to be paid by businesses?
what is the fairest way to charge the ITL to individual businesses?
What is a fair share of the ITL to be paid by businesses?
In 2014, 88 per cent of Auckland businesses employed five or less people. Currently all
business properties will pay an ITL of $183 each year for the next two years. After adjusting
for tax, this is equivalent to the $114 that all residential ratepayers will pay. This is a different
approach to that used for charging general rates. With general rates, business properties pay
higher charges for the same value property even after adjusting for tax. This is in part
because they place more demand on transport services than other properties.
The council is seeking feedback on an option to increase the share of ITL revenue raised
from business in line with the proportion of general rates collected from business. This would
mean that the business ITL charge would increase to $407, and the residential and
farm/lifestyle charge would decrease to $90.
What is the fairest way to charge the ITL to individual businesses?
Currently all business properties pay the same fixed ITL amount. This means that each
business makes an equal contribution to funding the transport programme regardless of its
size and scale.
The council is considering an option of charging the ITL to businesses based on the total
capital value of their property22. This would better align the ITL charge with the demand that
businesses generate on the transport network. Large businesses, such as office blocks and
factories, tend to generate more vehicle trips and heavy vehicle movements, placing more
stress on the transport network than small businesses. Charging the ITL on property values
would mean that businesses with higher property values will pay more than ones with lower
property values.
How businesses are charged the ITL will not affect residential or farm/lifestyle ratepayers, or
generate more money for the council, it will just change the share of the ITL that individual
businesses pay.
2 Rural businesses would be charged 90 per cent of the urban business rate for properties that have the same value. This is the same approach used for general rates.
Interim Transport Levy options
The impact on business ratepayers of moving to an ITL charged on property value would
depend on the share of total ITL revenue collected from business (as discussed above).
Taking these two issues together, there are four possible scenarios for the business ITL, as
outlined in the table below.
Figure 8 shows the business ITL for properties of different values under each of the four
scenarios.
Please visit our online rates calculator at shapeauckland.co.nz to see how changes to the ITL
would affect the rates you pay for your business property. For more information on this issue
please see section 2.2 of the supporting information for this consultation document.
Feedback Question:
What is your opinion on the Interim Transport Levy amount paid by businesses versus the
amount paid by all other ratepayers?
What is your opinion on the amount businesses pay for the Interim Transport Levy in relation
to their property value?
See questions 2a and 2b on the feedback form.
3. Farm and lifestyle ratesThe council is seeking feedback on an option of reducing rates on large farm/lifestyle
properties. Currently all farm/lifestyle properties (regardless of size) pay a general rate that is
80 per cent of the general rate charged to urban residential properties of the same capital
value.
We are seeking feedback on an option to reduce this to 60 per cent for farm/lifestyle
properties over 50 hectares. This would reduce rates for these properties by an average of
about $1200 each year and increase the rates for all other non-business ratepayers by $3.70
per year.
Farm/lifestyle properties over 50 hectares usually only have one household and are often
located far from council services and facilities. Their high property values mean that they pay
on average more than twice the rates of the average urban household. On the other hand,
these properties typically support large businesses that are able to:
pay more rates than the average household
claim back the GST from their rates
treat rates as an expense for tax purposes.
Some large farms and lifestyle properties are used as a single property but are technically
comprised of multiple properties. The council is therefore also considering an option to
introduce a rates remission scheme that will enable these properties to pay rates based on
the combined size of the property. This could increase the rates for all other non-business
ratepayers by less than 30 cents per year.
For more information on this issue please see section 2.3 of the supporting information for
this consultation document.
Feedback question:
What is your opinion on the rates paid by farm/lifestyle properties over 50 hectares?
See question 3 on the feedback form.
4. Māori land ratesThe council is proposing some amendments to its rates remission and postponement policies
to better reflect the limitations on the use and sale of Māori land. These changes would
reduce the total rates collected from Māori land in Auckland and increase the rates for all
other ratepayers by less than 25 cents per year.
Auckland Council recognises that Māori land has significant barriers to development and use
such as:
legal limitations on the sale of land
large numbers (tens or hundreds to thousands) of owners with a high threshold of
consensus required for decisions to be agreed
owners who are deceased and it is unclear who has inherited the land
difficulties in obtaining finance as land can’t be used as security for loans.
The Valuer-General allows a small adjustment to the value of Māori freehold land for rating
purposes, to reflect some of these impediments.
The council considers that this adjustment may not fully capture the differences between
these properties and general land.
For more information on this proposal please see section 2.4 of the supporting information for
this consultation document.
Feedback question:
What is your opinion on reducing the rates collected from Māori land in Auckland to reflect
restrictions on its use? See question 4 on the feedback form.
Other potential changes to rates
Business Improvement District rates
The council is proposing five changes to Business Improvement District (BID) targeted rates
at the request of the following business associations:
Henderson-Lincoln: introduce a BID rate
Warkworth: introduce a BID rate
Browns Bay: extend the boundaries of the BID rate area
North Harbour: extend the boundaries of the BID rate area
Glen Eden: extend the boundaries of the BID rate area
BIDs support improvements to local business areas and help attract new business and
customers.
For full details of all the proposed BID targeted rates for 2016/2017 please see section 2.5 of
the supporting information for this consultation document.
Financing septic tank replacements and upgrades
The council is proposing to run a small pilot programme to encourage homeowners around
west coast lagoons (Piha, Te Henga and Karekare) and Little Oneroa (Waiheke Island) to
replace or upgrade their onsite wastewater systems (eg septic tanks). The scheme will
provide financial assistance repaid by a targeted rate charged to participating homeowners.
For more information on this proposal please see section 2.7 of the supporting information for
this consultation document.
Rural Franklin waste management recycling targeted rate
The council is proposing to introduce a fortnightly kerbside fully commingled recycling
collection in rural Franklin from 1 November 2016. This will be funded by a new targeted rate
of $48.54 per service
This brings forward the timing for introduction of the service by eight months as the previous
transfer station drop off arrangements are no longer available.
For more information on this proposal please see section 2.8 of the supporting information for
this consultation document.
Wāhanga 4: Ngā kaupapamatua kei tō rohe
Part 4: Priorities in your local areaThis section sets out the key local priorities for each local board area and any changes we
are thinking of making for 2016/2017. We are seeking your feedback on whether we have got
these priorities right.
For more information about the priorities for your local area, please see section 4 of the
supporting information for this consultation document.
Local Board Key priorities for 2016/2017
Albert-Eden Renew existing assets including local and sports parks ($1.8
million)
Continue to deliver SH20 Waterview Connection mitigation
works, (substantially funded by NZTA)
o Improvements to Waterview reserves
o State Highway 16/20 park restoration
o Development of Phyllis reserve
Continue the development of the western end of Chamberlain
Park for recreational purposes
Complete the upgrade of the Mt Albert Town Centre by bringing
forward $1.5 million of funding
Increase our local community grants fund from $45,000 to
$75,000
Devonport-Takapuna Renew existing assets, including significant renewal of coastal
assets
Greenway and walkway development
Development of Barry's Point Reserve
Local Board Key priorities for 2016/2017
Becroft park sand carpet renewal
Franklin Work collaboratively with the community to develop a
greenways plan
Advocate strongly for coastal erosion to be addressed as a
regional issue
Support volunteers who wish to work on projects in our local
parks and reserves
Great Barrier Commence the development of a cemeteries in the north and
south of the island
Financial support for the purchase and management of Glenfern
Sanctuary
Reduce herbicide use and move to mechanical management
methods
Henderson-Massey Develop a multi-purpose facility (community centre and library
combined) in Westgate
Develop the SH16/20 local park (Westgate skate park)
Community partnership contracts, including governance work
with community groups
Hibiscus & Bays Develop Greenways Plans
Commence implementation of the Mairangi Bay Reserves
Management Plan
Plan for enhancement of 36 Hibiscus Coast Highway as a
reserve
Plan and deliver a new toilet at Sherwood Reserve
Playground and local park development, paths, landscaping,
seating and signage at Long Bay Reserves and Metropark West
Plan for park development, paths, landscaping, seating and
signage at Beechwood Drive, Hatfields Beach
Implement key actions from Silverdale, Orewa and Browns Bay
Local Board Key priorities for 2016/2017
Town Centre Plans
Howick Develop the master plan for Barry Curtis Park
Greenways, walkway and cycleway paths
Undertake a stock take of all community facilities in the area
Continue to support local services and infrastructure in Flat
Bush such as roads, footpaths, stormwater, parks and facilities,
to align with growth in this area
Continue coastal erosion and sand replenishment of our
beaches and advocate for a regional fund for coastal erosion
Kaipātiki Implement the Kaipatiki Connections Network Plan
Provide seed funding to our local community, arts and sports
groups to help them improve their facilities
Enhance the replacement of assets due for renewal, so that they
may be improved to best meet the community’s needs
Develop a pest free Kaipatiki strategy in partnership with our
community environmental groups
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Renew existing assets including renewals to local and sports
parks
Toilets and changing room renewals e.g. Miami Street Park
Develop priority greenways, or safe networks of cycleways and
walkways
Volunteers in parks
CCTV and town centre safety initiatives
Manurewa Progress the Manurewa Town Centre revitalisation project
Invest in Nathan Homestead as a heritage community arts
facility
Maintain and improve our community and sports facilities
Local Board Key priorities for 2016/2017
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki
Partnership funding to enable community groups to achieve
community outcomes
An initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags
A public art support and promotion initiative
Advocate for a review of levels of service of community centres
and halls
Advocate to ensure that the Tamaki Redevelopment Company
offers a range of quality housing options and improvements to
parks, open spaces and community facilities in the area
Orākei Advocate for funds to be brought forward to 2016/2017 for the
Meadowbank Community Centre upgrade as it is at capacity
and no longer fit for purpose
Advocate for the harbourside shared walkway project, identified
in the Tamaki Drive Masterplan to improve the overall safety for
vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians
Advocate for the completion of detailed design and consent
work for the proposed Pourewa/Selwyn train station to provide
better rail access for local residents
Advocate for the retention of lease income at The Landing,
Okahu Bay for reinvestment into the site to benefit all users.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Advocate strongly for limits on alcohol outlets in residential
areas and near schools
Develop and improve the local area's sports facilities and parks
Complete the earthworks, car-parks and driveways at Colin Dale
Motorsport Park
Papakura Continue the development of our greenways and walkways
Construction of changing sheds at Opaheke Fields
Streetscape improvements in the town centre
Commence mangrove removal in the Conifer Grove area
Puketāpapa Advocate for the funding of the Pah Homestead marquee project
Local Board Key priorities for 2016/2017
(which is not proceeding) to assist with restoration of the historic
Whare in Monte Cecilia Park (as an alternative community
facility).
Empower the community to deliver events and projects aligned
with both diverse community needs and Local Board Plan
priorities, shifting focus from sub-regional grants to local
strategic partnerships
Plan, consult and deliver phase two of the Waikōwhai Coastal
boardwalk
Give priority to the construction of the Sandringham Road Cycle
Route: SH20 overbridge to Wesley Community Centre
Review Sunday opening hours at Mt Roskill Library.
Rodney Transport projects including constructing footpaths
Upgrades to the Warkworth Showgrounds
Recreational walkways and bike trails
Environmental projects including support for community-led
environmental initiatives and ecological restoration
Introduce a new Business Improvement District (BID) for the
Warkworth area to advocate collectively for business and grow
the local economy.
Upper Harbour Building a community hub in Albany
Completing the Albany Stadium Pool
Sportsfield development in Hobsonville Point
Waiheke Progress developing a community swimming pool
Establish marine reserves and other protected areas
Develop a Matiatia master plan in partnership with our
community
Support an integrated approach to ecological restoration across
the island
Local Board Key priorities for 2016/2017
Development of pensioner and community housing
Waitākere Ranges Continued delivery of the Waitākere Ranges Strategic Weed
Management Plan
Household information on living in the Waitākere Ranges
Heritage Area.
Further pedestrian improvements and connections between
Oratia, Parrs Park and Sunnyvale
Increased emphasis on the marine environment
Waitemata Improve the pathways through Western Park and upgrade the Pt
Resolution steps to concrete
Increase spend on low carbon initiatives including the
installation of photovoltaics at Grey Lynn Community Centre
Investigate establishing a youth hub in the city centre
Install a solar heating solution at Parnell Baths
Whau Seek funding to build a new destination playground in Kelston
Neighbourhood developments
Parks and community environmental programmes and services
Feedback question:
In your opinion, have we got our priorities right for your local board area in 2016/2017? What
do you think we should change?
See question 5a and 5b on the feedback form.
Wāhanga 5: He aha atu kei te haere?
Part 5: What else is going on?
Budget review
We are not proposing any major new projects, or changes to services we provide compared
to what we set out for 2016/2017 in our recently adopted 10-year budget. We will however
continue to review our budgets to ensure we continue to deliver the best value for money for
ratepayers. This includes reviewing our cost and revenue projections, reviewing assumptions
about interest and inflation rates, and reviewing the latest information about the timing of our
large construction projects and planned land acquisitions.
This review is likely to result in some budget changes when our final budgets for 2016/2017
are agreed by June. We are aiming to reduce the 3.2 per cent overall average rates increase
for 2016/2017, if it is possible to do so while continuing to deliver all our planned services and
investments. For more information about our budget review process, see section 1 of the
supporting information for this consultation document.
Management of volcanic cones
The Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 (the Act) came into
effect on 29 August 2014. The Act vested the Crown-owned land in 14 Tūpuna Maunga
(ancestral mountains/volcanic cones) in 13 iwi/hapū groups with interests in Auckland (Ngā
Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makaurau). The Act also established the Tupuna Maunga o Tāmaki
Makaurau Authority (a co-governance body between the council and Ngā Mana Whenua) to
administer the Tūpuna Maunga.
The Act requires that the Tūpuna Maunga Authority prepare an Annual Operational Plan to
provide a framework in which the council will carry out the routine management of the 14
Tūpuna Maunga, under the direction of the Maunga Authority. This must be prepared and
adopted concurrently with the council’s annual budget and included in summary form. A
summary of the draft Operational Plan 2016/2017 can be found in section 3 of the supporting
information for this consultation document.
Other consultation processes
The council regularly seeks public feedback on a wide range of projects, plans and
strategies, separate to consultation on its annual budget. Please visit shapeauckland.co.nz to
find out about other consultations that may be of interest to you.
One upcoming consultation process relates to potential changes to how we manage our 1412
rental units for older Aucklanders. While we are firmly committed to maintaining this number
of units and to the ongoing support of all existing tenants, there are also opportunities to
partner with other organisations to deliver better housing outcomes without additional cost to
ratepayers.
Wāhanga 6: Hei whakapuaki i ō whakaaro
Part 6: Having your say
How to have your say
We want to hear your views on our annual budget, so we encourage you to take the time to
get involved. The public consultation runs from 15 February to 24 March.
There are a number of ways you can give feedback, depending on what suits you. These
include:
Written feedback:
You can contribute feedback online at shapeauckland.co.nz or fill out the attached feedback
form and send to the freepost address provided, or email to:
In person:
Come and talk to us at one of our Have Your Say events. This is an opportunity for you to
give feedback in person and be heard by council’s decision-makers.
We first ran Have Your Say events as part of the 10-year budget (LTP) consultation in early
2015.
there’s no need to register or pre-book: people can just turn up – but we need to know
if you require an NZSL interpreter
there’s no need to make a submission ahead of the event
people have the chance to hear the views of others, as well as saying their own
note-takers capture feedback
subject matter experts are available to answer questions
elected members will be present; their role is to listen to the conversation and ask
questions to seek understanding.
Events held across the region – all local boards will be having at least one event. To find your
nearest event, visit shapeauckland.co.nz or call 09 301 0101.
Social media:
Comments made through the following channels will be considered written feedback:
Twitter: comments using @aklcouncil and #aklbudget
Facebook: posts on facebook.com/aklcouncil – using #aklbudget
Where to find more information
You can find everything you need to know at shapeauckland.co.nz including the supporting
information, an online feedback form and a schedule for Have Your Say events.