Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan 2024-2034 has opened for public consultation, giving Aucklanders the chance to have their say on the options and trade-offs that will influence region-wide activities, services and investment.
The Long-term Plan proposal aims to strengthen Auckland’s physical and financial resilience, while tackling big budget challenges. It can be viewed at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan.
Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson says this year’s Long-term Plan takes a new approach compared to previous years, by presenting multiple options for consultation – a central proposal and options to do more, or do less.
“We all want a better Auckland – a thriving, beautiful city that has recovered from the floods and is more resilient in future. Our transport and water services are core priorities we know we need to invest smartly in, for long-lasting solutions,” says Phil.
“As a region, we have real challenges and opportunities ahead, and this Long-term Plan is geared at delivering on the key issues for Auckland, along with how we grow our economy.”
The Long-term Plan’s central proposal includes a $13.4 billion investment by Auckland Transport to make public transport faster, more reliable and easier to use. It also includes strengthening Auckland’s resilience to flooding with the new Making Space for Water Programme of more than $1 billion of investment (including government co-funding).
Along with the central proposal, the Long-term Plan includes options and trade-offs – two additional scenarios to pay more, get more or to pay less, get less.
“The proposal is a chance for our community to consider where we invest and what we prioritise, and if it captures what they want for Auckland.”
The Long-term Plan must also deliver on the region managing a predicted growth in population, with an estimated 200,000 more people expected by 2052.
The central proposal spans a wide range of hot topics – from transport, drinking water and stormwater, to parks and community, city and local development, environmental management and economic development.
It also suggests establishing an Auckland Future Fund. This fund would create a more diverse set of investments that can be used to manage future challenges like global pandemics, extreme weather and environmental challenges.
The fund includes a proposal to transfer all the council’s remaining shares in Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) into the fund, and enable the fund manager to decide to sell any or all shares.
“The future fund and proposals around the North Harbour Stadium and the Port of Auckland are really important discussions to have. We want to hear from our community on this Long-term Plan – your feedback will influence the council’s priorities and how we deliver value for rates,” says Phil.
Aucklanders are encouraged to read the central proposal and the options in the full consultation document, then give feedback at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan.
There is a range of Have Your Say on the Long-term Plan opportunities coming up, with webinars and community events being held, along with information at your local library, council service centre or local board office.
How can Aucklanders have their say?
To have your say on the issues or anything in the Long-term Plan proposal:
- Online: visit akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan for all the information, upcoming webinars and consultation documents
- Events: attend a Have Your Say event near you – visit akhaveyoursay.nz
- Phone: 09 301 0101
Social media: Auckland Council’s social media pages - In your community: visit your local library, council service location or local board office.
Feedback must be received by 28 March. Final decisions will be made in June 2024 and the final Long-term Plan will be available on aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Frequently asked questions
What’s in this Long-term Plan?
The consultation document provides a central proposal and two additional scenarios to pay more or pay less.
What are the options proposed?
The central proposal has capital investment of $39.3 billion and operating spending of $72 billion over 10 years.
The Long-term Plan’s central proposal includes a $13.4 billion investment by Auckland Transport to make public transport faster, more reliable and easier to use.
It also includes strengthening Auckland’s resilience to flooding with the new Making Space for Water Programme of more than $1 billion of investment (including government co-funding).
Additional options to pay more, get more than the central proposal could enable the delivery of more and better activities and service levels, but would require higher levels of rates and debt.
The option to pay less, get less than the central proposal would see lower rates increases but would require cuts to some activities and service levels, or slow down improvements.
What is the Auckland Future Fund?
Establishing the Auckland Future Fund is also part of the central proposal. This involves potentially transferring Auckland International Airport shares into the fund and leasing operations of the Port of Auckland to help create the fund.
The fund would aim to protect the value of the council’s major investments, provide a funding source to mitigate the risk posed by climate change and other major environmental challenges, enhance cash returns to council to help pay for council services, and spread the risk of council’s investments over a range of different assets.
What is proposed for the Port Land?
Whether or not the operation of Port of Auckland is leased, the proposal does include a plan to make the most of our waterfront by stopping port operations on Captain Cook and Marsden wharves which would allow these wharves to be used for something else.
This could include the creation of new public amenities (such as new open spaces) and/or residential or commercial development. There is also an option to transfer the Bledisloe Terminal to council ownership within 15 years so it can be freed up for other purposes.
Are there options proposed for North Harbour Stadium?
Feedback is being sought on the North Harbour Stadium Precinct to help better deliver for the needs of the North Shore community and greater Auckland region.
Three options are proposed for the stadium, to help better manage the relatively low utilisation and attendance, and high running and maintenance costs.
Will there be fairer funding for local boards?
There is a proposal to move to a fairer allocation of funding for local boards. These boards provide local community services like local parks, libraries, pools, recreation centres, community halls and events that support strong Auckland communities.
Through the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, the council is looking to move to a fairer funding model that addresses inequities.
How is it funded?
The Long-term Plan’s central proposal includes rates increases for the average value residential property of:
- 7.5 per cent in year one (2024-25)
- 3.5 per cent in year two (2025-26)
- 8 per cent in year three (2026-27)
- no more than 3.5 percent for the years after that.
The pay more, get more option could see rates increases for the average value residential property of up to:
- 14 per cent in year one (2024-25)
- 10 per cent in year two (2025-26)
- 10 per cent in year three (2026-27)
- 5 per cent for the years after that.
The pay less, get less option could limit rates increases for the average value residential property to as little as:
- 5.5 per cent in year one (2024-25)
- 3.5 per cent in year two (2025-26)
- 3.5 per cent in year three (2026-27)
- no more than 1 per cent above CPI inflation thereafter.
