Council release draft Annual Plan

Auckland City Council has released its draft Annual Plan balancing a commitment to affordable progress while continuing to develop the city.

Councillor Douglas Armstrong, chairperson of the Finance and Strategy Committee, says: “This council is honouring its pledge to keep rates to the level of inflation, while ensuring necessary funding is available for our city to grow and prosper.”

This draft annual plan proposes the council’s service and project priorities over the coming period and outlines key changes from our 10-year plan which was adopted in July 2009 after a thorough planning and consultation process.

Due to the transition to Auckland Council on 1 November 2010, this plan is only for the period 1 July 2010 to 31 October 2010.

The ATA is preparing a planning document for the Auckland Council for the remaining eight months of the financial year which will be informed by the annual and ten-year plans of the eight councils that will make up the new organisation.

Auckland City Council’s draft Annual Plan includes investment in projects and services across the city as we continue to make Auckland a more enjoyable place to live, work, visit and do business.

This investment is planned while keeping the average rates increase to no more than council’s level of inflation This year, that increase is three per cent.

Councillor Armstrong added: “The next 12 months will see much change in Auckland’s governance as the new Auckland Council comes into force in November 2010. I am confident, that as we move through transition, this draft Annual Plan will ensure that we continue providing value-for-money services each day and our capital programme will continue to deliver affordable progress for the people of Auckland city.”

This investment across the city includes:

• Auckland Art Gallery - by 30 June 2011 we will be close to completing the development of the Auckland Art Gallery where visitors will be able to enjoy a fantastic location and more of the nations biggest art collection.

• Opening up the waterfront - we will continue to open up the waterfront for all Aucklanders to enjoy by building a Marine Events Centre on the water’s edge, purchasing land for future development, including around Wynyard Point and options for developing Queens Wharf.

• Aotea Square redevelopment - Aucklanders will be able to enjoy a modern venue for major public events and everyday activity following the redevelopment of Aotea Square which is due for completion later this year in October 2010. The Civic car park will be upgraded as part of the project.

• Parks and reserves - Aucklanders will have more and better outdoor spaces to walk, play sports and relax in as new parks and reserves are proposed to be developed. Existing parks, reserves, and sports fields across the city will also be upgraded and maintained.

• Rugby World Cup 2011 - investing in a range of projects for Rugby World Cup 2011 to make it an event that all Aucklanders can be proud of and be involved in, as well as leaving a legacy for residents to enjoy for many years to come. These legacy projects include transport improvements in the Eden Park precinct and upgrades to the Western Springs training venue.

• Community facilities - residents and visitors across Auckland will be able to continue to use community halls and centres, libraries and swimming pools as we continue our maintenance of facilities across Auckland.

• Beaches and walkways - local residents and visitors will have upgraded beaches and walkways with our proposal to carry out work at Judges Bay, Orakei Basin walkway, Point England to Onehunga walkway and re-sanding at Point England.

• Q-Theatre - lovers of the performing arts will be able to enjoy enhanced vibrant contemporary theatre, dance and performing art after we continue with our development of the new performing arts venue, Q-theatre.

• Stormwater - alleviating flooding and improving the quality of our beaches and harbours with investment in the stormwater system remains a priority.

• Transport - Aucklanders will have more transport choices with upgrades to roads and footpaths across the city.

The projects, services and plans contained in this years Draft Annual Plan are largely the same as outlined for next year in the 10-year plan.

There are some changes to the budgets but these are not material. They generally relate to better information on timing and cost of projects, refinements to previous estimations, and changes to statutory or organisational requirements.

The changes include:
• Auckland Art Gallery restoration – additional investment is available due to deferrals from previous years.

1 Onehunga foreshore upgrade – this expenditure has been deferred to allow time for further consultation on design. We now plan to complete this project in stages over a four-year period starting in 2010/2011.

2 Lorne Street and Fort Street upgrades – some investment has been deferred, primarily to 2011/2012, to allow for sufficient time for completion of planning and consultation work.

3 Rugby World Cup 2011 – additional investment will occur due to deferrals from previous years now the programme of works has been confirmed.

The full list of changes is available at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/annualplan.

We are seeking feedback on these changes until 31 March.

People can give their feedback quickly and easily online at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/annualplan or on the submission form in the brochure ‘Our Auckland – The year ahead’ delivered with City Scene on 7 March.

Further information is available at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/annualplan, along with a copy of the full plan.

ENDS

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