Auckland Council has proposed their budget for 2022/2023, which includes a new targeted rate to deliver almost a billion dollars in Climate Action.
The budget consultation will close at 5pm on Monday 28 March 2022 so make sure you have your say by going to http://akhaveyoursay.nz/budget
The below is my submission. I appreciate it’s a little long, so here’s the TLDR (too long, didn’t read) version:
Support the investment into public transport and active modes - we need to urgently shift transport modes to reduce emissions.
Question the lack of specific emission reductions and also vague cycle and walking plans.
Endorse the ongoing savings and productivity improvements, but challenge the sale of local parks and encourage council to look after it’s investments better.
Support standardised approach to waste collection, challenge to inorganic collection process and encourage increase in education around waste management.
Support Howick Local Board initiatives, especially better maintenance of assets and building a fit-for-purpose skatepark in Lloyd Elsmore Park.
Support moves to further empower Local Boards to make decisions around delivery of local community services.
Question 1 - Climate action targeted rate
What do you think of this proposal to introduce a climate action targeted rate?
Support
I support the intent of the new targeted rate - we need more climate action now. Under Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, the goal is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. With less than 8 years left, the strong focus on public transport and active modes is what our city needs. The funding must be matched with an organisational wide shift to focus on climate change - emissions reduction and climate adaptation must be primary factors in all decision making, not just those enabled by this rate.
I question the lack of emission reduction targets - how do we hope to achieve our ambitious targets if we’re not even estimating the impact of decisions being made. Given the massive amounts of data that Auckland Transport has thanks to the integrated ticketing system, they must be able to model the potential outcomes of improved public transport. Some indication of the potential range of reductions must be possible and is essential for measuring the success of these initiatives.
I’m concerned about the delivery of these projects, especially the walking and cycling programmes which have very vague deliverables. Auckland Council has recently admitted that it had spent little of the $150m climate actions promised in last year's budget and, while some of the delays are understandably COVID related, this isn’t a new issue. Auckland Transport has not been able to meet its targets for newly constructed cycleways since 2017, even though the targets have decreased in subsequent years. Auckland Council must provide strong oversight to ensure that we get what we’re paying for and enable the urgent reduction in emissions. Front load the infrastructure build using cost effective and tactical implementations to build a network that will attract and support the mode shift we desperately need now.
Question 2 - Managing on-going budget pressures
What do you think of this proposal to manage our on-going budget pressures?
Other.
I endorse the need for ongoing process improvement and implementation of cost efficiencies. The proposed prioritisation framework is sensible and should provide assurance that the right decisions are being made.
I continue to challenge the sale of local parks and reserves, especially after COVID-19 has reminded everyone how important outdoor recreational space is. As our housing intensifies, these green spaces become increasingly valuable, far exceeding the short term cash from selling them off.
While I support retaining shares in Auckland International Airport Limited, Auckland Council must make sure this strategic asset is managed properly. Passive ownership has proven to be a costly and ineffective approach and I encourage council to take a more active role in the governance of this strategic asset.
Question 3 - Prioritising operating spending
What do you think about how we propose to choose which services to reduce, stop or change?
Support.
I appreciate the complex and emerging environment that council must operate in and support the need for a pragmatic approach to prioritisation. I endorse the need for ongoing process improvement and implementation of cost efficiencies.
I encourage council to take a partnership approach to delivering services, working with community organisations and local businesses where appropriate. Critical to this is reducing barriers and cost to organisations, including streamlining the grant application and reporting processes.
I encourage council to consider how it will effectively communicate the prioritisation discussion and decisions, noting that there is a wide range of what people consider core services.
Question 4 - Standardising waste management
Question 4A - What do you think about our proposal to move from a planned region-wide PAYT system to a region-wide rates-funded refuse collection system?
Support.
I support the move towards a standardised waste management system. The ability to customise the size of bins acknowledges that not every household has the same waste requirements, yet retains some consistency. The change must be communicated to residents and should not assume that people understand the current systems, including what can and cannot be recycled.
I challenge council to revisit the inorganic collection process. While the previous system was not ideal, the new system has other gaps. Anecdotally we’ve seen a significant increase in illegally dumped rubbish since the change which I suggest is a result of the perceived increased difficulty and cost of the new system. Providing each household with a prepaid FlexiBin (or similar) may be a far more cost effective method while reducing the visual and environmental damage from roadside dumping.
Question 4B
What do you think about the proposals to standardise these waste services and charges?
Standardise the opt-out rules for residential multi-unit developments (10 or more units):
Support
Standardise the opt-out rules for residential and lifestyle properties with between two and nine units:
Support.
Standardise the opt-out rules for non-residential properties:
Support.
Apply a minimum base charge to every separately used or inhabited part of a property:
Support
Question 5 - Local board priorities
Tell us your thoughts on our proposed priorities for the local board area in 2022/2023 – have we got it right?
Support.
I support the priorities identified by the Howick Local Board, in particular the greater focus on renewal and maintenance of assets, and investigation of the skatepark and other wheeled play at Lloyd Elsmore Park. I acknowledge the minor refurbishment that the HLB delivered which has improved the safety of the park. However, it’s still very small and outdated with a practical capacity of as little as ten children. It also lacks basic facilities like toilets, water and shade. There is no pedestrian access, forcing kids to walk on the road which is unbelievably unsafe. In its current form it is in no way fit-for-purpose.
COVID has reminded us how important it is to have outdoor recreational options in our neighbourhoods. There are some amazing skateparks around, the success of the skatepark in Sir Barry Curtis Park is proof enough. If we create good spaces for our tamariki they will attract not just locals, but also people from all across the city. A decent skatepark will not just help locals, but also encourage people to visit East Auckland, bringing visitors and much needed revenue to our local businesses. In order to be successful, the planning and design must include the users. This will take time so the sooner we start the better.
While I support further investigation of dog parks in the local board area, I would not consider this to be the highest priority.
Question 6 - What is important to you? Is there anything further you would like to give feedback on?
I support the moves to empower Local Boards on delivery of local community services. Greater localisation of these decisions should see a more responsive council, that is able to adapt to the varying and diverse needs of our communities. This will require additional training and support for local board members and a robust communication campaign to educate residents.