Council comes in ahead of budget for 2009/10

Auckland City Council has exceeded its financial targets for 2009/10, while maintaining significant investment in customer service and new infrastructure.

Chair of council’s Finance and Strategy Committee, Councillor Douglas Armstrong, says it is satisfying the council’s financial state is in excellent health, with council achieving operating expenditure savings of $23.3m and a further $9.1m in capital expenditure savings, achieved through project efficiencies.

“These operating expenditure savings are significantly better than our savings target for the year,” says Councillor Armstrong.

“This council has maintained its commitment to affordable progress, while still delivering the essential works needed for the city to grow and prosper. Expenditure has been examined line-by-line to find savings and identify opportunities for greater efficiencies.

“All around the city our infrastructure investment is obvious – whether it’s the completion of the $50m sewer separation project in Kingsland and Eden Terrace, the revitalised Osborne St and Lumsden Green in Newmarket, and excellent progress on the redeveloped Aotea Square, Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland Art Gallery and Q Theatre, and the award winning Achilles Point lookout.

Councillor Armstrong says the construction momentum will continue in the 2010/11 financial year – with $471m planned to be spent on projects and facilities, while keeping the rate rise to a historically low average of 1.9 per cent.

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