27 June 2013

Mayor secures 2.9 per cent rates increase

Auckland Council today signed off its annual plan for 2013-14, including Mayor Len Brown’s proposal for an average 2.9 per cent rates increase across Auckland businesses and households, well below the 4.9 per cent forecast in the council’s Long-term Plan.

“Through lower costs and greater efficiency, we have driven down rates rises every year for the past three years - from 3.9 per cent in the first year of the new council to 2.9 per cent this year,” says Len Brown.

“I’m determined that we continue to provide certainty for Auckland ratepayers, through modest and sustainable rates increases.

“And I’m focussed on ensuring the money we raise through rates works for the benefit of all of Aucklanders. Over the next year we will invest more than $175 million in local libraries, parks, recreational, arts and cultural facilities right across the region.”

This year will be the second year of the transition to a single rating system. This means that over time, all Auckland properties of similar value and use will be charged a similar amount of rates, which will be fairer for all ratepayers.

“I have worked hard to make the adjustment to a single rate for Auckland required in legislation as manageable as possible for Aucklanders by spreading it over a three-year period,” says the Mayor.

Average rates increases in the Auckland Region 2005 – 2013:

In 2010, Aucklanders faced a 9 per cent rise in rates. For the previous seven years their rates had gone up nearly 6 per cent a year on average.

2005/06 -2009/10 5.7%
2010 9% forecast rate increase from Auckland Transition Authority
2011/2012 3.9%
2012/2013 3.6%
2013/2014 2.9%

National average rates increasers 2002- 2012 – 6.8%

Ends

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