Auckland Council has formally adopted the 2022/23 Annual Budget. This includes Mayor Phil Goff’s proposal for a billion-dollar “Climate Action” package to be funded by a new targeted rate levied on households.

The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance has been campaigning against the Climate Action Targeted Rate on the grounds that it is dishonest and will not lead to a reduction in net carbon emissions.

Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman Josh Van Veen says, “Instead of spending money on protections against flooding and sea level rise, the Climate Action Targeted Rate will be used to pay for buses and footpaths that should already be funded by general rates.”

“According to officials it will lead to a reduction in vehicle emissions of 47,000 tonnes over the next decade,” Mr. Van Veen says. “That is just 1% of the 4.3 million tonnes emitted on Auckland roads in 2018 alone.”

“In reality, carbon emissions are forecast to increase by 6% over the next decade. Phil Goff’s final budget is nothing more than a Climate Action Sham.”

The Ratepayers’ Alliance can confirm that more than 2,000 people have used the “Get Back to Basics” online tool to lobby councillors against voting for the budget

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