A better Auckland starts
now
We now have a common vision
for Auckland and it is time to make that a reality. The Auckland Plan is our
blueprint and the Long-term Plan 2012-2022 (LTP) sets it in motion.
I am confident the LTP budget
balances prudence with investing in the vital transformation Auckland needs. We received more than 10,000
submissions on the draft LTP. Your feedback underlined that we Aucklanders all
understand the things we need to get right.
In response to submissions we
adjusted the plan. We are reducing proposed animal licensing fees and the costs
of projects like the new cruise ship terminal.
Fixing our transport problems
and providing more jobs are vital to our future. The City Rail Link (CRL) is
our most important transformational project. We are investing $2.4 billion on
bus and ferry services, $115.4 million in walking and cycling, and $5.3 billion
in upgrading and renewing roads and footpaths.
The cruise ship terminal, the
superyacht refit facility and the Wynyard Innovation Precinct will all create
jobs for Aucklanders.
Moving to a single,
region-wide rating system was always going to be the first Auckland Council's
biggest challenge. Government has accepted my proposal enabling us to cap
residential rates rises and phase in business rates rises over three years.
Over the coming months we will
continue to investigate alternative funding options for projects such as the CRL.
Our 21 local boards have
prioritised their local projects and balanced their budgets.
Now we have the LTP, let's get
on with it.
Len Brown
Mayor of Auckland