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Auckland, June 18, 2018
The Auckland Council struck its 10-year Budget today, beginning a decade of transformational infrastructure investment that will improve Auckland’s transport network, support the provision of housing and enhance our environment.
Mayor Phil Goff issued the following statement:
This 10-year Budget delivers transformative infrastructure investment needed to respond to Auckland’s unprecedented population growth. With government we are investing $28 billion in our transport network that will keep people safe and tackle congestion by vastly improving our public transport network, roads and road safety, and providing more cycle and walkways.
Auckland has to pay its fair share to meet the cost of that investment and we are doing that through the Regional Fuel Tax. The $4.3 billion extra investment enables us to make a number of critical transport improvements across our region. Without it, we would have been able to do little more than fund the operation and renewal of the existing transport system and projects which have already been committed.”
Environment, climate change
The 10-year Budget ensures the Council can tackle Auckland’s water quality issues, improving the health of our beaches and waterways with substantial investment in our waste and storm water infrastructure, and protect our native species including kauri.
Additional funding for climate change initiatives and coastal management will also better protect coastal communities and improve our anticipation and response to severe weather events and rising sea levels.
Projects on the go
Implementation of budget measures will start immediately.
Although large infrastructure projects will take time to consult, consent and construct, work is already underway to improve safety on rural roads in Franklin and Rodney, develop our downtown public transport infrastructure and reduce wastewater overflows on popular beaches around the Manukau Harbour and on the North Shore.
Sports and Culture
Infrastructure investment is our priority, but we are also delivering for sports, employment, arts and culture with additional funding agreed for sports and recreation facilities, Auckland’s Art Gallery and initiatives to improve the career prospects for young people in our poorer communities.
I want to thank all Aucklanders who had their say and our Councillors and Council staff who have worked hard to get us to this point. Now it’s time to deliver for Aucklanders.
Key items agreed
Largest ever Council transport investment of $12 billion over the next 10 years (including $4.3 billion from leveraging the Regional Fuel Tax).
Cleaning up Auckland’s waterways and beaches with new investment of $452 million in storm water infrastructure through a water quality targeted rate to complement Watercare’s wastewater investments.
Protecting Kauri and our native flora and fauna with an additional $311 million from a natural environment targeted rate to fund pest and disease control.
Adapting to Climate Change and protecting communities with the establishment of a $40 million Climate Change Response Fund and an additional $90 million for coastal asset management.
Investing in sports and culture by establishing a contestable fund of $120 million for sports and recreation facilities and an additional $20 million funding for the Auckland Art Gallery.
Delivering improved social outcomes with the expansion of The Southern Initiative into West Auckland to increase employment and life skills for young Aucklanders and $475,000 to help Auckland City Mission redevelop its Hobson Street site.
Restricting the average general rate rise to 2.5% for this term of Council and continuing the Value for Money programme of section 17A reviews and a new corporate property strategy with benefits of $117 million to deliver efficiency and effectiveness at Council.
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Easing traffic congestion through a better road network is a part of the Auckland Council plan
(File Picture)
