Media release
14 February 2010

Auckland Council Draft Annual Plan
to provide lasting benefits

Auckland Council met today to discuss the draft budget and programme of works for the region for the next year (1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012).

The combined long-term plans from legacy councils across the region would see some $770 million worth of investment in capital projects in the city over the next financial year including significant investment in preparation for Rugby World Cup 2011, which will have lasting benefit to the region.

The Mayor says the proposed plan of work will still see Auckland benefit from a capital works programme much larger than any council has delivered in the past.

“This year’s draft plan has been particularly challenging as it was the first bringing together the plans of the previous eight councils, and it had to be agreed within 10 weeks rather than the normal five months, ” says Len Brown.

In December when the council met to discuss the plans for the region, the Mayor requested that councillors commit to holding any rates increase within 4.9 per cent while retaining all the previous councils’ services and projects.

Since then the council has pulled together budgets from across the region and gone through parts of the budget to assess the priorities and corresponding rates adjustment required.

The Auckland Council inherited a projected rate increase of 8.9 per cent from the former councils. The Auckland Council has committed to finding savings of some $60 million through efficiencies and deferral of capital projects to achieve a rates increase of no more than 4.9 per cent.

“We need to strike a balance of continued investment in the future of our region, while making sure any rates increase does not put undue pressure on ratepayers,” says Len Brown.

“We have brought together the plans of all the former councils and committed to retaining them while we set our new direction for Auckland.”

The draft annual plan will include the programme of works that will be undertaken by the council controlled organisations and 21 local board agreements which outline the priorities and projects the local boards will undertake in their area.

The Mayor is encouraging people to look at the plans and tell the council what they think.

The draft annual plan will be published for public consultation on 28 February.

It will be available in libraries and council service centres around the region. It will also be available on the council website.

A summary of the draft annual plan will be delivered to all households in the region. It will contain a feedback form for people to tell the council what they think of the plans.

The consultation will close on 1 April.

The council will then consider the feedback and set the final budget and rates increase in June which will take effect from 1 July 2011.

ENDS

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