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Media release

11 March 2013

Aucklanders speak up on draft annual plan

Nearly 4,000 Aucklanders have had their say on Auckland Council’s draft annual plan for 2013/2014.

The draft plan outlines what council plans to do during the next financial year, as well as its investments and proposed financial policy. It also identifies where further efficiencies and savings will be made.

For next year, the council is proposing an average rates increase of 2.9 per cent, lower than the forecast 4.8 per cent in its Long-term Plan 2012-2022.

“We are investing in Auckland’s future,” says Mayor Len Brown. “If we are to become the world’s most liveable city, we need to maintain the momentum created through the Auckland Plan and the Long-term Plan.”

“I want to thank all the Aucklanders who have given us their feedback on the draft plan.”

The most popular regional topics people submitted on were:

Council spending
Rates
Fees and charges
Council’s contribution to the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre development project.

Feedback was also received on local priorities and projects raised by the local boards through their draft Local Board Agreements. Changes made arising from public feedback will be incorporated in the final annual plan, which will be adopted by Council’s Governing Body in June.

The consultation period on the draft annual plan closed on Monday 25 February.

Hearing dates

There are public hearings throughout the region that anyone can attend, but only those people who made a submission can speak at the hearing.

Local board hearings will be held from 19 March – 2 April; the full schedule can be viewed here: http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/planspoliciesprojects/plansstrategies/annual_plan/Pages/Keytopicsandevents.aspx#hearings

Regional hearings will be held from 8 – 12 April. The schedule for these hearings will soon be available here: www.aucklancouncil.govt.nz/annualplan

ENDS

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