13 April 2017

Record number of submissions on Auckland’s Annual Budget

Auckland Council’s Annual Budget consultation received 8,058 written submissions - an increase of more than 140 per cent on the previous year and triple the number of submissions compared to 2014/15.

In addition to written submissions, 103 comments were received via social media while nearly 1,500 Aucklanders attended one of the Have Your Say and other feedback events across Auckland.

More feedback was received from Auckland’s diverse communities, including Māori, Pasifika and Asian Aucklanders, than ever before. This represents 44 per cent of the total - up from 18 per cent last year.

Aucklanders also provided feedback on a number of key policy proposals:
· On the level of rates rises, the majority (57 per cent) agreed with the proposed 2.5 per cent increase
· Two thirds of Aucklanders (66 per cent) supported the targeted rate on accommodation providers
· 66 per cent of respondents supported growth infrastructure charges
· The living wage policy for council staff received strong support with 71 per cent supporting the proposal.

Finance & Performance Committee Chair, Councillor Ross Clow, said the level of interest in the consultation showed Aucklanders are keen to have their voices heard.

“I want to thank Aucklanders for taking the time to consider how the council spends their money and to express their views on the council’s priorities over the coming financial year.

“With the record numbers of submissions received for this Annual Budget, Auckland residents can have confidence that they’ve been heard and that their elected members will be able to make informed decisions when it comes to setting the city’s budget in June.”

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said it was pleasing to see support for the council’s policies to share the burden of growth and help underprivileged Aucklanders lead a decent life.

“Ratepayers have shouldered the burden of Auckland’s growth for too long. It is time for those that enjoy the benefits of growth to pay their fair share, and the feedback suggests that Aucklanders share that sentiment with broad support for the targeted rate on accommodation providers and growth infrastructure chargers.

“Aucklanders have also shown strong support for the council to pay all its staff a living wage. It sends a clear message to the council that we should lead by example and ensure those people who carry out the important services our city needs can afford to live a decent life.”

Elected members will now consider the feedback in a series of briefings and workshops ahead of final decisions, which will be made on 1 June.

The plan will be formally adopted by the council on 29 June and the final plan, including 21 local board agreements will be available on the council website in July.

ENDS

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