Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Auckland Plan targets well beyond council business

'Pie in the Sky' social policy targets in the draft 30-year Auckland spatial plan released today represent a deliberate council move into central government business despite calls not to. What's more, trying to engage the public on Auckland's long-term future during the Rugby World Cup is ridiculous, says Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer.

"A few months ago we got a lot of public submissions to the 'Auckland Unleashed' discussion document urging the council to focus on core local government business and not take on central government roles. Unfortunately those ratepayers haven't been listened to."

Some of the targets include: By 2030, all school leavers will be achieving NCEA level 2; By 2040 all young adults will complete a post-secondary qualification; By 2017 all pre-school children demonstrate at the before school check that they have strong family or whanau attachments and have the foundation for success in school and life; By 2020 increase the number of early childhood education facilities by 100 (10 per year) in southwest and west Auckland (areas of highest need); and by 2040 80% of the population has a cardiovascular assessment (measure of obesity and onset of diabetes) by a primary care provider.

"Every time the council goes out as the education and health police it takes resources and focus away from local issues that really matter to ratepayers such as infrastructure."

Mr Brewer says he appreciates that part 6 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Act 2010 states that 'the purpose of the spatial plan is to contribute to Auckland's social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing through a comprehensive and effective long term (20 - 30 year) strategy for Auckland's growth and development.' However he believes the council's taken the interpretation too far.

"While the spatial plan legislation requires a broad integrated strategic direction for Auckland, it does not demand the council to spell out the likes of specific education and health targets when central government is the primary funder and driver of these policy areas.

"Let's just say, none of these targets will appear in any political party's manifesto this election because most in Wellington wouldn't promise things so unobtainable. It is wrong then to lump those social policy targets on the ratepayers of Auckland. Because the council has no means to deliver them, and Wellington will never sign up to achieving them, the targets are misleading at best.

"It is now clear that the Government is stepping back from this draft Auckland Plan, which interestingly they now refer to as the Auckland Council Plan. The Government remains unconvinced by planners' drive for a 'compact city' model. Ministers have asked for more work to be done to show it's not going to lead to less affordable land and housing. That work has been less than forthcoming.

"Keeping Auckland affordable is where this council's focus should be, rather than trying to muscle into the region's classrooms and hospitals. Ratepayers and the Government want focus. Let's not forget that was the initial intention of the Auckland amalgamation and spatial plan," he says.

Cameron Brewer says it's also concerning that none of the big wish-list projects launched by the Mayor come with any funding plan. Further, he believes the spatial plan's statutory consultation period through to 25 October is ridiculous timing given Auckland is hosting the Rugby World Cup.

Ends

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