Aucklanders invited to calculate own city budget

Auckland Council has today launched an online budget calculator that gives Aucklanders a go at setting their own 10-year budget for the region.

The interactive tool allows users to save money or spend money depending on what they see as a priority for the city. The choices they make affect levels of household rates and council debt – making them rise or fall.

Matthew Walker, General Manager Financial Planning, says the calculator is an educational tool designed to give Aucklanders a greater understanding of council’s budget.

“The budget calculator is all about giving Aucklanders a chance to sit in the driver’s seat and experiment with the budget. It demonstrates how and where council spends money as well as the trade-offs you make when you decide to spend less or more,” he says.

The budget calculator, which is set at the proposed levels of spending in council’s 10-year budget, looks at five spending areas of Auckland Council including transport, parks, community & lifestyle, economy tourism events and culture, Auckland development, and environment & regulatory.

On finishing, the budget calculator produces three graphs that show the impact of each user’s spend on debt, assets and rates across the 10-year period.

Public consultation on council’s 10-year budget runs until 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.

Auckland Council is also hosting a live online chat today (Thursday 5 March from 7pm – 9pm) that will cover the key issues included in the 10-year budget. Those who wish to take part can post comments and feedback in advance now at www.shapeauckland.co.nz/livechat or join the discussion on the night.

Feedback from the live chat will count as feedback for the 10-year budget consultation.

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