It is important that the voices from people of Maungakiekie-Tāmaki are heard by giving their views on Auckland Council’s Emergency Budget says ward councillor Josephine Bartley.
“Like the rest of New Zealand and indeed the world, the impact of COVID-19 on the council’s finances is significant and we are going to have to make some tough budgetary decisions. It is important our communities are involved and understand what these decisions mean for them.”
A focus of the budget is how the organisation recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 economic pressures and how services it provides will be impacted.
“I am keen to see continued support for our communities and provision of the services they need, yet we know that it can’t be the same as before, so this will not be an easy discussion. We are asking for Aucklanders views on a proposed 2.5 per cent or 3.5 per cent rates increase and what services we should priorities under those scenarios.
“The reality is, we are not going to be able to do everything we did before, so we need our community’s guidance, they need to be involved in this decision.”
Community support
Working together to help Maungakiekie-Tāmaki and Auckland recover is the main focus of this Emergency Budget, something Councillor Bartley knows her community understands.
“During lockdown and in recent weeks I saw some incredible work being done by community groups across Maungakiekie-Tāmaki helping those in need, often providing for individuals and families who had never needed help before.
"It is scary to think that this is not going to be temporary for some, so it is important that the decisions Council makes now factors in as many of those different needs and causes of hardship as possible. Again, we will not be able to do everything, but we all need to have a long-term view and that may mean making hard decisions today. This is incredibly important, so please get involved. Only together can we build a stronger, better Auckland."
Chris Makoare, Chair of Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board, notes the extent of the financial issue that council is facing “recovery will require a lot of thought and some hard decisions which will affect our community’s, our families and all of Auckland. These decisions will be made with public input so please get involved and let us work together on this.”
Visit akhaveyoursay.nz/emergency-budget read through the information and provide feedback before 19 June 2020.
