Have your say on creating a better future for Auckland

Media release
24 February 2012

Have your say on creating a better future for Auckland
Aucklanders can now have their say on proposals included in Auckland Council’s first draft Long-term Plan (LTP) 2012-2022.

Submissions open today on the document which outlines council’s prioritised activities and projects over the next 10 years.

“Staff and councillors have scrutinised and debated the content of this first 10-year plan for months, now we want to hear the community’s views,” says Chair of the Strategy and Finance Committee, Councillor Penny Webster.

“If you go to your local park, enjoy a free community event, or like attending one of our fabulous community galleries, the draft LTP includes information about how we plan to support and develop these in the future.”

Through the draft Long-term Plan, people can find out what investment is proposed for local projects including libraries, parks, stormwater and flood protection, heritage, arts and culture, community development and road and footpaths.

At a regional level, the council proposes a range of projects aimed at boosting Auckland’s economy, unlocking public transport and unclogging roads and enhancing the region’s urban and natural environments.

“This is the beginning of Auckland’s transformation,” says Cr Webster.

The draft LTP also looks at how council manages its finances including changes to regulatory fees and charges, such as dog registration fees and the move to a single rating system.

“Implementing a new rating system that is fair across the board is a major challenge and we know that, for some people, there will be significant increases but we have proposed several options to minimise those increases,” says Cr Webster.

Overall the council is projecting a low 3.6 per cent rates increase. However, the move from eight different systems to a single system will mean differing levels of change for different property owners. Auckland Council is requesting the government make a minor change to the Auckland legislation to stop people facing steep changes in rates as a result of amalgamation.

To give people an overview of how the proposed changes and how they could impact on their rates in 2012/13 the council has developed an online rate guide.
Submissions close at 4pm, 23 March 2012. For more information, to make an online submission and to access the rate guide, go to:
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/longtermplan

The plan can be viewed online, at council libraries, service centres and local board offices. A summary, including a submission form, is also being delivered to households this weekend and also available online.

Draft Regional Land Transport Programme

At the same time, Auckland Transport is consulting on its draft Regional Land Transport Programme (RLTP).

This programme lists all the planned transport activities across the city for the next three years and is used to prioritise applications for government funding.

To find out more about the draft RLTP go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/rltp. Information and a combined submission form is also included in the draft LTP summary document delivered to residents.

Copies of the draft RLTP available at libraries, service centres and local board offices and from Auckland Transport, 6 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson.

Ends