24 July 2015

Checklist presented on outcomes sought from Auckland’s funding review

The funding review announced by the Auckland Council is vital to help get rates down, and improve the Council’s performance, says Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

“The review is needed to determine how we will pay for the rising number of projects that must be completed if we are to maintain credibility as New Zealand’s international city of scale,” Mr Barnett said.

“But it should be widened to include Council spending to ensure the Council is fit for purpose as the management agency of New Zealand’s commercial capital.

“This year’s 9.9 per cent rates rise underlines the urgency of such a review; it should be wrapped up and ready for public consideration within six months.

“The need for the review is a reality check; a lack of courageous leadership has meant a constructive review like this has not taken place in the past.

“Everything should be open to debate and then left on, or taken off the table.

“The leaders of some of our large assets should be invited to contribute their thoughts on how the city’s assets could be optimised.

“We will continue to call for a review of Council spending, to consider what the Council does and what it shouldn’t be doing, and how it might improve its performance, also with a timeframe and actions arising,” Mr Barnett concluded.

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