Together we can build a resilient, healthier and prosperous Auckland for everyone.
However, as we all know, Auckland isn’t immune to the economic impact that the Covid-19 crisis brings. This will impact on every one of us in some way over the coming months. These impacts are experienced differently across the communities of Tamaki Makaurau.
Auckland Council has responded quickly to help Aucklanders in needing a helping hand. We came together to deliver food parcels to those in need, re-deployed library staff checked in on more than 15,000 of Auckland’s most vulnerable residents, council worked with agencies to find accommodation for rough sleepers, financial help has been offered to ratepayers and we made travel free for our essential workers.
Now we need to prepare for the next big challenge. Covid-19 could cost Aucklanders more than half a billion dollars in reduced revenue next year. As a result, we are now faced with hard decisions to balance our budget, while continuing to support our region, in the next financial year. So, for the first time ever, we are consulting with Aucklanders on an ‘Emergency’ Budget for 2020/2021.
But we need your help, because it’s only by working together that we can recover from the crisis as effectively as we faced up to the pandemic to minimize the health impact.
There will be tough choices for us all and our collective challenge is to balance reducing our costs while keeping the services Aucklanders need and value the most, creating jobs to stimulate economic recovery and working to build community resilience.
The Mayor and councillors are unanimous in the need to reduce the pressure on residents and businesses facing economic hardship with targeted assistance, while ensuring we can protect and maintain the services Aucklanders rely on.
The huge reduction in our revenue means there will be increased pressure on our budget while we continue to deliver essential services and run much-loved community facilities like our libraries, cultural and arts venues and leisure centres. One of our biggest challenges will be deciding on a proposed rates rise of either 2.5 or 3.5%.
Each of the proposed rate increases comes with advantages and disadvantages. The Emergency Budget consultation document goes into further detail on what those options mean, not only for ratepayers, but for the future of our entire region.
While these are tough decisions, this is our opportunity to reshape, rethink and design our city for the better.
Therefore, it is important we hear from you. Visit akhaveyoursay/emergency-budget, read through the information provided and please, let us know what you think. Anyone struggling to pay their rates can contact council on T: 09 3010101 to talk through the options.
We all have a part to play in Auckland’s future and I believe that together we can build a resilient, healthier and prosperous Auckland for everyone. (PIPPA COOM)
Contact Pippa Coom via pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz