MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 30 March 2000

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY IN DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN

Auckland City Council tonight approved its 2000/2001 Draft Annual Plan for public consultation.

Mayor of Auckland City Fletcher, says the draft plan makes a start on meeting Councils new Strategic Plan goals and establishes a dedicated public transport fund. “The critical issue is how we fund our priorities.”

The draft 2000/01 annual plan proposes a 1.8 per cent increase in rates.

The draft plan allocates $5 million from a special Auckland Airport dividend to a new dedicated public transport fund and an Arena proposed for Quay Park. It also proposes using $3.8 million from the additional rates to the public transport fund and Arena.

Chris Fletcher said, “In my view additional funding must be directed to public transport as our first priority. We can not continue pushing aside our responsibility to the city’s future and must invest in improving public transport.”

Council is also seeking feedback on a change in the rate differentials between residential and non-residential properties. The draft plan proposes reducing both the CBD non-residential and other non-residential to 180 per cent of the residential rate.

Mrs Fletcher says public consultation is an important part of the process, this year even more so as Council gives effect to the strategic plan. “We want Aucklanders input to shape our final decisions on priorities, especially on rates and public transport.”

“I urge everyone with an interest in Auckland’s future to consider the 2000/01 Draft Annual Plan and make a submission,” she said.

Public consultation on the Draft Annual Plan will run from mid April to the end of May.

Ends.

Contact:
Chris Fletcher Tel. 025 276 0013
Scott McMurray Tel. 307 7581 or 025 353 605

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