Feedback reaches 5,000 for draft budget

With three weeks still to go, just over 5,000 Aucklanders have now provided feedback on Auckland Council’s 10-year budget.

As of Friday 19 February, 4,779 feedback forms had been received, along with 278 feedback posts received through council’s social media channels.

Initial feedback results show 55 per cent of respondents support fixing Auckland’s transport with an advanced network that would require additional funding, while 26 per cent support a basic transport network that costs less.

The preferred funding option to pay for the advanced Auckland Plan transport network is a motorway charge (34 per cent support), while funding with tax and rates increases has so far received 29 per cent support.

See attached document for a comprehensive update on feedback numbers and responses to each of the questions included on the feedback form.

To help explain the transport choices facing Aucklanders, Auckland Council has released a short video that outlines the options included in the 10-year budget.

Mayor Len Brown says he is pleased with the numbers but would still like to see many more Aucklanders having their say.

“We are asking Aucklanders to tell us what they think about some of the biggest issues that will impact how our city grows and how we fix out transport problems.

“Even though we are already at a record number of people to feedback on a council budget I want thousands more people to have their say.”

Public consultation on council’s 10-year budget, known as the Long-term Plan 2015-25, runs until 4pm on 16 March 2015.

There are a number of ways to feedback including an online feedback form found at shapeauckland.co.nz, a hard copy form (found in council libraries, service centres and local board offices), using social media and at the ‘have your say’ events.

There are over 30 ‘have your say’ events taking place across the region. The events replace traditional hearings and give people the opportunity to give verbal feedback on regional and local issues.

Decision makers, such as councillors and local board members, will be at the events to listen to the views of community members, with note takers recording the feedback given. To view ‘have your say’ event times and venues visit www.shapeauckland.co.nz/10yearbudget or phone 09 301 0101.

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