Have Your Say on the Auckland Council Draft 2013/2014 Annual Plan
Auckland Council have called for submissions to the Draft 2013/2014 Annual Plan – the main budgetary document for Auckland Council for the next 12 months. All revenue and expected expenses (including capital outlay for proposed capital projects) over this twelve month period are laid out in the Annual Plan documents which I shall link and embed below.
I am still working through the Draft Annual Plan at the moment before compiling a submission (submissions close 4pm – 25 February 2013) but will upload my submission to BR:AKL as soon as it is done.
Amendment to the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan
It is of note that Council has asked for our feedback via the submissions on the “Regional Facilities Auckland grant towards development of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre” – which is building this White Water Rafting Facility at a cost to the ratepayer of $32m as well as taking on some financial risk if the project fails. In order for this development to happen (and as stated in the Draft Annual Plan) there will have to be an amendment to the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan which is already in operation. This would be because this particular development is calling on for extra funds made outside what has been allocated already in the existing and current Long Term Plan.
As a result I will be submitting in strong opposition to this as it creates precedent for every other Tom, Dick and Harry project with dubious actual economic merit to come before Council and thus allowing an existing LTP to be butchered to cater for it – when if needed, it should be kicked over to the next Long Term Plan which is the 2015-2025 LTP.
This is not how we budget for things anywhere – and I expect Council to follow the same standard. Besides I can think of better used to go and sink $32m such as cleaning up Otara Creek which is a toxic site or to our struggling Local Boards to fund local community facilities or events.
However I will run further commentary on this as I draw up my submission
In the mean time some links and documents
Web Links to Council Annual Plan
Draft annual plan 2013/2014 – Home Page
Draft annual plan 2013/2014 – Documents
Draft annual plan 2013/2014 – Key topics and events
Draft annual plan 2013/2014 – Draft Annual Plan 2013/2014: Have your say
The Annual Plan Documents
VolumeOne of the Draft Annual Plan
Volume Two of the Draft Annual Plan
Volume Three of the Draft Annual Plan
And the movements in Rates per Local Board Areas:
(Yep another rates decrease coming my way)