Close vote This afternoon the Auckland Council Governing Body resolved in a draw vote (thus needing the Mayor’s casting vote to pass it) to allow a compromise on the Port … Continue reading Port of Auckland Wharves Compromise Passes
Month: April 2015
Governing Body Adopts Mayoral Budget Proposal – to be sent to Budget Committee
General Support, issues with individual points – as expected Earlier this morning Mayor Len Brown handed down his proposal for the Long Term Plan in which the Council adopted to … Continue reading Governing Body Adopts Mayoral Budget Proposal – to be sent to Budget Committee
Mayor Handing Down Long Term Plan Proposal
And we have
Mayor backs major new investment in transport
Mayor Len Brown has today presented a proposal to begin immediate work to address Auckland’s transport challenges.
The Mayor’s report on the 2015-25 Long-term Plan proposes that council seek government support for a motorway user charge to fund the additional $12 billion needed to deliver the full transport network Aucklanders have asked for.
Given that a user charge would require legislation and take a number of years to put in place, the Mayor is proposing to fund immediate new investments of $500 million over the next three years through an interim fixed levy on ratepayers.
An interim levy was first signalled in the draft LTP published in December 2014. It is intended to meet urgent needs for investment in public transport, including new rail, bus and cycleways. In order to make a difference the levy has been calculated at an average of $99 a year for non-business ratepayers and $159 for business ratepayers.
“Today we are responding to a clear message from Aucklanders – start fixing our transport problems now,” Len Brown said.
“Auckland is New Zealand’s fastest growing region. We will have one million more Aucklanders sharing our roads over the next thirty years. Just to keep this city moving in the future we need to invest in an enhanced, fully integrated transport network.
“Aucklanders, in record numbers during the consultation, and in an independent survey, have been clear that they are prepared to pay their share to get the transport network we need. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for action. Aucklanders have spoken, and we now have a responsibility to listen and act upon it.”
The key recommendations in the Mayor’s Report include:
- Supporting the Auckland Plan Transport Network and motorway tolling as the mechanism to pay for it
- An interim transport levy over three years equating to less than $2 per week for non-business ratepayers and $3 per week for business ratepayers
- The Mayor and Chief Executive to engage with the government to enable the implementation of a motorway tolling system by 2018/19
- Keeping average rates rises to 2.5% for year one.
- Keeping the UAGC at $385 and slowing down the business differential to limit the impact on ratepayers to 0.5% per annum
—ends—-
More as it happens, live Tweets under away
Governing Body to Meet Today; Ports and Budget On The Table
9:30 Town Hall This morning the Governing Body of Auckland Council will meet at Town Hall. The two main agenda items? Port of Auckland (under Extraordinary Business) and the Mayor … Continue reading Governing Body to Meet Today; Ports and Budget On The Table
Building Consents and the Auditor General
How well did Auckland Council rate with Building Consents According to the Office of the Controller and the Auditor General quite well but still room for improvement. From the … Continue reading Building Consents and the Auditor General
Melbourne Selfishness is Same as Auckland
An Equitable City is One That Allows Growth in All Areas A situation has arisen in Melbourne. From The Age The selfishness that’s tearing Melbourne apart Date April 29, 2015 – … Continue reading Melbourne Selfishness is Same as Auckland
Poll Suggests Support for the Port
Options to be considered and chosen tomorrow Tomorrow the Governing Body of Auckland Council will consider apparently one of four options in dealing with the Port situation. At the same … Continue reading Poll Suggests Support for the Port
600 New Homes in Papakura Site – By 2020
Papakura (Social) Housing Site Finally Seeing Construction I have been watching this one since it first came up a couple of years ago. From Stuff: HNZ all set to build … Continue reading 600 New Homes in Papakura Site – By 2020
KISS: Keeping It Simple Stupid – With Parks
Do we need to gold plate everything As I work through the parklets for Manukau City Centre I was having a look through this yesterday: Home / Parks Hub / Informal … Continue reading KISS: Keeping It Simple Stupid – With Parks
Want to Participate in the Shake-Out Drill?
October is when it happens The recent quake in Central New Zealand, and the volcanic activity in Chile should remind people that New Zealand while stunning is also dangerous as … Continue reading Want to Participate in the Shake-Out Drill?