Proposed Auckland Council Budget - Public Feedback Notice
The proposed Auckland Council Annual Budget cuts will severely affect Piha and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board areas.
It is important to have your say on this and Piha R&R will be providing guidance on the issues that will most affect Piha. (See separate Blog.)
Piha items that may be lost under the Budget Prosal:
Kerbside recycling Pickup for RSA, Store, Bowler and others that don’t have access to private recycling $5150
Community weed bins, only Piha and Huia get a full time bin, $$96,056
Additional support for volunteer libraries $3500. Covers insurance for Piha library
West Coast Animal Management Support $35,000, covers Piha, Karekare, Te henga
Below is the Waitakere Ranges Local Board official announcement.
Have your say on tough budget choices
Publish Date : 24 Feb 2023
Public feedback on Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Budget opens midday 28 February to 11pm on 28 March.
The budget aims to address an estimated $295 million shortfall while prioritising services Aucklanders need and value.
West Auckland Ward Councillors are encouraging people to speak up.
Whau Councillor Kerrin Leoni says, “It’s a challenging time for everyone. Our decisions today will impact us now and, in the future. So have your say.”
Neighbouring Waitākere Councillors agree.
Councillor Ken Turner says, “This month’s flooding shows again the costly results of not keeping our drains and rivers clear. We must return to spending on core services, like roading and drainage, first and foremost.”
Fellow Councillor Shane Henderson is mindful of the direct impact of this budget on people.
He says, “We are guided by what is most important to West Aucklanders and beneficial to the area, so let’s hear from them.”
Options to close the shortfall include:
reducing operating costs by another $125 million across the council and Council Controlled Organisations
a rates increase for the average value residential property of around 4.66 per cent or $154 a year ($3 a week).
selling Auckland Airport shares to reduce debt
borrowing up to $75 million to allow for any future financial uncertainty (current policy allows borrowing up to $140 million).
The budget allows for everyday services, $2.8 billion in capital investment for transport, parks, community facilities, city centre and local development, urban regeneration, cultural development and environmental management.
If public feedback opposed the proposed budget, or the council’s financial challenge worsens, it would need to fund the shortfall another way, likely by:
Increasing rates by up to 13.5 per cent, $336 annually for the average value residential property ($6.50 per week).
increasing debt within the limits of borrowing policy.
Have your say
Feedback can be provided online, via email, by phone, post and at Have Your Say events.
Waitākere Ranges
Waitākere Ranges Local Board hearing style event, Waitākere Ranges Local Board office, 39 Glenmall Place, Glen Eden, Thursday 16 March, 6pm-8pm
Visit akhaveyoursay.nz/budget between 28 February and 28 March to find out more.
Final decisions will be made in June 2023 and the budget will be available on the Auckland Council website.