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Submissions open on ARC Draft Annual Plan

2 April 2008

The Auckland Regional Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2008/09 opens for public submissions today. It includes amendments to our ten-year plan and proposes an average 4.95 per cent rates increase, a similar level to the last three years.

Chairman Michael Lee says this year's annual plan is important and the ARC wants to hear the public’s views.

"This is one of the most significant ARC annual plans in a generation.
“With public support, we intend to build an electric rail system for Auckland. It would be part of a region wide network with better bus and ferry services. People will be able to get around on one smartcard ticket. We can achieve this in the next few years if we close the public transport funding gap.

“With the support of a regional fuel tax we will buy a fleet of new, quieter and faster electric trains, as part of wide-ranging improvements to train, bus and ferry services, in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

"We will also continue to re-develop Auckland's waterfront, expand our regional parks network, and protect the environment. We will fund improvements to rail level crossings and develop Shakespear Regional Park into a wildlife open sanctuary."

The Region Wide newsletter summary of the draft plan has just been delivered to all Auckland households and businesses.

Copies of the draft annual plan are available at www.arc.govt.nz/annualplanor by calling 366 2000 (or 0800 80 6040 outside the free calling area). People can go to the submission form online and insert their comments into it and email to APsubmissions@arc.govt.nz

Submitters can also print off the form and mail it freepost to Annual Plan 2008/09 Submission, ARC, Private Bag 92012, or fax to 09 366 2155.

Submissions must be received by 4pm Friday, 2 May 2008. Hearings will be held in late May and early June. Council will then consider all submissions before adopting its final annual plan at the end of June.

If people would like a copy of the plan, it's available at local libraries, or you can contact us for a copy via:
Email: APsubmissions@arc.govt.nz

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