Auckland Council Adopts First Annual Plan

Auckland Council has adopted its first annual plan, maintaining the proposed 3.94 per cent rates increase for ratepayers while confirming additional funding for a number of other projects.

The Mayor complimented the hard work of councillors and staff who had delivered a plan he described as robust, well balanced and inclusive of all Aucklanders.

“Auckland Council is only eight months old, in a time of extraordinary change, and we have now got a plan in place that I believe delivers to the people of Auckland.

“When we inherited the amalgamated Auckland Council, the projected rates increase from all the old councils was a proposed 9.3 per cent. That wasn’t acceptable, so we worked to cut costs and drive efficiencies in the organisation. I’m committed to keeping the rates increase down below four per cent. We’ve done this at the same time as rolling out the biggest ever investment in our region,

“I am especially pleased that due to the hard work put into finding over $81 million in savings, we are able to come back today and announce projects such as the Otahuhu Swimming Pool and Muriwai Surf Lifesaving Club will be going ahead without taking rates over 3.94 per cent,” said Len Brown.
Funding was confirmed for a raft of important projects including:

- Operating expenditure of $1.9 million towards the Major Events Strategy
- Operating expenditure of $30,000 for Mika Haka Foundation
- Operating expenditure of $50,000 for Plan Be Founding sponsor support
- Operating expenditure of $300,000 for Bruce Pulman Park
- Operating expenditure of $250,000 for events compliance management
- Hobsonville Marine Precinct, with capital expenditure of $3.5 million in 2011/2012 and further amounts in later years
- Papatoetoe Redevelopment, with capital expenditure of $1 million in 2011/2012 and further amounts in later years
- Capital expenditure of $1.95 million for animal shelters
- Capital expenditure of $760,000 for the fit out of the Viaduct Events Centre and associated additional user charges income
- Operating expenditure of $85,000 for Kauri Dieback management costs
- Operating expenditure of $300,000 for volcanic landscapes
- Capital expenditure of $371,000 for the Gulf Harbour Breakwater
- Capital expenditure of $1 million on Muriwai Surf Lifesaving Club facility development, noting that this funding is not required until 2012/2013
- Acquiring elephants for Auckland Zoo, noting that this will be funded from borrowings from Auckland Council
- $850K for Waterfront Master Plan and $800K for waterfront activation during RWC 2011 and summer season, noting that this $800K can not proceed until ATEED and Waterfront Auckland have presented together to the council their plans to demonstrate that there is value for money and no duplication
- Operating expenditure of $20,000 for health services on Great Barrier Island
- Operating expenditure of $250,000 to investigate the MAGIC centre as proposed by the Maungakiekie Tamaki Local Board
- Capital expenditure of $200,000 for Otahuhu Swimming Pool

Councillor Penny Webster said pulling together the budgets of all former councils was a large job.

“Those who have worked on the plan have really achieved great balance.

“They have diligently saved money to benefit ratepayers, while at the same time investing in areas such as events, heritage, and capital expenditure which will go a long way to creating the Mayor’s vision of creating the world’s most liveable city,” said Mrs Webster