Auckland Council Long Term Plan – Waitemata funding decisions

Auckland Council Media Release

29 June 2015

Key Waitematā Local Board projects funded

Completion of the Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway, continuing the Waipapa Stream restoration and delivering the Western Springs Native Bush Restoration Plan are some of the key Waitematā Local Board projects being funded as a result of public feedback on Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget proposals.

The Waitematā Local Board received 1,412 written submissions. The majority of people who commented on the local proposals supported the board’s initiatives for the coming year 2015-16 and for the Council’s 2016-25 budget.

Other Waitematā Local Board projects being funded include:

  • redeveloping Pioneer Womens and Ellen Melville Hall as a city centre community hub
  • upgrading Newmarket Laneways public realm to provide a safer and more vibrant environment for pedestrians and shoppers
  • supporting local community services, events and grants.

After strong opposition to reducing local library opening hours, the local board has also allocated funding to extend Grey Lynn library’s opening hours by half-an-hour a week.

The board will continue to advocate to council’s governing body and Auckland Transport for investment to improve walking, cycling and road safety.

This includes making a case for a regional budget to allow the implementation of local board Greenway Plans across Auckland.

“We are privileged to have one of Auckland’s most engaged and active communities,” says Waitematā Local Board deputy chair Pippa Coom.

“This is reflected in the quality of the feedback. We’ve listened through the consultation process about the projects the community wants funded.

“The feedback also confirmed that our priorities should continue to focus on a high quality urban design, protecting heritage, advocating for transport improvements and looking after the environment.”

After considering the feedback received, the local board reduced the budget for a temporary arts and culture POP programme – for which there was less support – from $100,000 to $75,000.

The 10-year Budget was adopted by council’s Governing Body at its meeting last Thursday, 25 June.

A full summary of budget decisions, regional and local, can be found at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/longtermplan.