Keeping constituents informed:

Local Board Chair | Kay Thomas

3.5% rates rise avoids service cuts

Members of the Whau Local Board breathed a collective sigh of relief when Auckland Council’s Governing Body voted for 3.5% rates rise. We were very concerned that a lower or no increase would result in a drastic reduction of the services and facilities available to communities.

For example, a 2.5% increase would most likely have seen the closing of some community centres and greatly reduced opening hours for libraries. Environmental initiatives would have received less funding and, as a keen gardener, I know you that you can’t just stop weeding or controlling pests for a year without your previous efforts being undone.

So, on behalf of the Whau Local Board I would like to thank Councillor Mulholland and the other councillors for ensuring that we, as a board, have sufficient income from the Emergency Budget to respond to the needs of the community as much as possible.

Almost as soon as public consultation on the Emergency Budget finished, we began consulting on our draft local board plan, which outlines the direction the board will take over the next three years. The plan has six objectives which can be summarised as:

• strong and resilient communities
• advancing Māori aspirations
• quality urban development and community facilities
• improved opportunities for walking, cycling and public transport
• protecting the natural environment
• supporting thriving town centres and connected communities

Each outcome has several objectives and initiatives.

The plan was largely written prior to the Covid-19 situation and many of the initiatives we wish to undertake may be aspirational for the first year or two.  Your feedback on what matters to you and what you would like us to prioritise is even more important in a time of economic uncertainty. You can find more information at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/whauplan.

​Consultation closes on Thursday 13th August.