The local board representing your interests within the far-reaching tentacles of the supercity asked for views on the projects and issues that matter… and the voices were muted.
Fewer than 2000 of the 95,000 people living in the Albert-Eden Local Board area took the trouble to have their say on Auckland Council’s 10-year budget (including local board priorities for the next year) and the Auckland Plan 2050.
Those who did bother to speak up were not always wildly enthusiastic in their overall support for some of the strategies of their local board.
Just 40 per cent of those making written submissions felt the board had its priorities right for the coming year. A further 40 per cent gave partial support.
The detail is given in an agenda item for today’s local board meeting.
On specific priorities, this is how the 1697 submissions fell:
- Providing funds to identify, maintain and care for notable trees in the board area: 44 per cent support, 34 per cent partial support, 22 per cent no support.
- Collaborating with neighbouring local boards to develop joint management plans for Te Auaunga-Oakley Creek and Waititiko-Meola Creek: 86 per cent support.
- Creating a walking and cycling connection between St Lukes and Greenlane train station: 65 per cent support.
- Support local businesses in town centres to implement sustainable practices (such as reducing the use of plastic bags and finding alternatives to putting oil and fat down drains): 79 per cent support.
Of the 1527 responses to the question, “Have we got our priorities right?”, the key themes were broken down to “support” or “do not support”.
Greatest support came in the areas of cycleways, environmental initiatives, working with other boards and groups to clean up Oakley and Meola creeks, sustainable business practices, and the tree issue.
The standouts in the “do not support” area were the board’s plan to develop Chamberlain Park, the streetscape upgrade at Mt Albert town centre, new cycleways, arts funding and funding for core council services.
The 1825 Albert-Eden submissions on the full council’s 10-year budget produced these results:
- 65 per cent support for a regional fuel tax to help pay for improvements to the transport system.
- 77 per cent support for a targeted rate for water quality.
- 64 per cent support for a natural environment targeted rate.
- 60 per cent support for a proposed rate increase of 2.5 per cent for the first two years and 3.5 per cent for years three to 10.
- 72 per cent support for levying rates on online accommodation providers meeting certain thresholds.
