Auckland’s water and transport infrastructure won’t fix itself. But the Coalition Government has deliberately washed their hands of problems that will cost our country billions.
I’ve kicked off 2024 by getting out and about in the Mt Albert electorate and hearing from as many people as I can. This has included holding public meetings and constituent clinics at least weekly, all over the electorate.
I am also meeting many people who are actively and deeply involved in supporting members of the community. For example, those who work in the CABs, JPs and the Community Patrol are all doing amazing work.
The Parliamentary year has also begun, and I’ve grown increasingly concerned that the Coalition Government is shifting the burden of fixing our infrastructure problems to ratepayers. Most of us just can’t afford the dramatic rate increases the Government’s choices will lead to. It will make life more expensive for homeowners and likely renters.
The loss of the Auckland regional fuel tax leaves the Council with a $1.2 billion hole in its plan to decongest Auckland (over four years). There is no way to fill it other than rate rises or cutting the projects. I totally reject the suggestion these projects are 'nice-to-haves' rather than necessities.
Decongesting Auckland is incredibly important to the productivity of the whole country. It has been estimated we lose $1.3 billion every year in productivity and people spend 80 hours a year stuck in traffic.
The Government is doing a similar thing with water services. Nationwide, our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks are facing a crisis. Labour’s Affordable Water Reform was about delivering safe, reliable and affordable water services that keep families and our environment healthy and support our city.
In Mt Albert, this reform would have reduced risks of flooding and allowed for more affordable housing, which relies on this infrastructure. It would have meant we’d be able to swim at our beaches, even when it rains!
In Auckland, in 30 years, average annual costs per household under Labour’s plan would have been 63% less than likely costs under continuation of the current stand-alone council delivery of water services. Ratepayers in other parts of the country would have seen even larger cost reductions, some up to 90%.
The Government has repealed our reforms, but the work still needs to be done. Fixing New Zealand’s water infrastructure is estimated to cost up to $185 billion over the next 30 years. Councils will now need to do it themselves.
Instead of seeing the problem and finding a practical solution, Christopher Luxon is leading a Government that is comfortable to let councils take the blame in years to come when they inevitably have to increase rates.
Every ratepayer in the country will end up paying more and, for some households, these rates will become unaffordable. The Government’s own peer-reviewed advice explains this.
For me, it’s always been about rates. Labour’s plan would have helped councils fix the country’s pipes and made sure households wouldn’t see huge rates increases. (HELEN WHITE)
As always, please get in touch if there is anything I can do to support you, your community or your business.
helen.white@parliament.govt.nz
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay #helenwhiteMPMtAlbert #labourpartynz
Published: March 2024