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Whau Local
Board
11 May 2022
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Whau
Local Board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2022/2023
File No.: CP2022/05787
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Whau Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities and activities for the Whau Local Board Agreement 2022/2023
· regional
topics for the Annual Budget 2022/2023.
2. To
recommend any local matters to the Governing Body, that it will need to
consider or make decisions on in the Annual Budget 2022/2023 process.
3. To
provide input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
4. Local
board agreements set out annual funding priorities, activities, budgets, levels
of service, performance measures and initiatives for each local board area.
Local board agreements for 2022/2023 will be included in the Council’s
Annual Budget 2022/2023.
5. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March
2022 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
This included consultation on the Whau Local Board’s proposed priorities
for 2022/2023 to be included in its local board agreement.
6. Auckland Council received 11,550 pieces of feedback in total across
the region including 313 pieces of feedback from the Whau local board area. For
the Whau residents who responded, Climate Change is the hot topic, with the
majority in support of targeted rates to implement actions to tackle the
associated problems. Tree canopy cover and public transport are the areas of
focus under climate considerations.
7. In the Annual Budget process there are financial matters where local
boards provide recommendations to the Governing Body, for consideration or
decision-making. This includes:
· proposed
locally driven initiative capital projects outside local boards’
decision-making responsibility
· release
of local board specific reserve funds
· any
local board advocacy initiatives.
8. The
Governing Body will consider these items as part of the Annual Budget
decision-making process in June 2022.
9. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility to provide input into regional
strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws. This report provides an opportunity
for the local board to provide input on council’s proposed Annual Budget
2022/2023.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Whau Local Board:
a) receive consultation feedback on the
proposed Whau Local Board priorities and activities for 2022/2023.
b) receive consultation feedback on regional topics in the Annual
Budget 2022/2023 from people and organisations based in the Whau local board
area.
c) provide input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Budget
2022/2023 to the Governing Body.
d) provide its advocacy initiatives for the Annual Budget 2022/2023 to the Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
10. Each
financial year Auckland Council must have a local board agreement (as agreed
between the Governing Body and the local board) for each local board area. The
Whau Local Board Agreement sets out how the Council will reflect the priorities
in the Whau Local Board Plan 2020 in respect to the local activities to be
provided in the Whau local board area and includes information relating to
budgets, levels of service, and performance measures.
11. The local
board agreements 2022/2023 will form part of the Auckland Council’s
Annual Budget 2022/2023.
12. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March
2022 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023, as
well as local board priorities and proposed activities to be
included in the local board agreement 2022/2023.
13. Due to the
impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, significant pressure has been
placed upon the council’s financial position. This has created weighty
flow-on effects for the council’s proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
14. This report includes analysis of consultation feedback, any local
matters to be recommended to the Governing Body and seeks input on regional
topics in the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
Consultation feedback overview
15. As part of
the public consultation Auckland Council used a variety of methods and channels
to reach and engage a broad cross section of Aucklanders to gain their feedback
and input into regional and local topics.
16. In total, Auckland Council received 11,550 pieces of feedback in the
consultation period. This feedback was received through:
· written feedback – 9,464 online or hard copy forms, emails or
letters
· in person – 2,086 pieces of feedback through online Have Your
Say events, or independently managed phone interviews. All events (except one
which did not have any attendees) were moved to an online platform or cancelled
due to the red COVID-19 traffic light setting.
17. The Whau Local Board received 313 submissions. This represents
approximately 0.37 per cent of the Whau population, which
as in June 2021, was calculated at 85,400. Whau submitters who provided
feedback indicated ages ranging from ‘under 15s’ to
‘75+’.
Information
on submitters
18. The
chart below is generated from the submitters who provided ethnicity
information. The picture reflects a diverse ethnicity. More than half of the
submitters identify as NZ European; Pasifika are the next significant number,
running slightly higher than those identifying as Chinese, Indian and Other European. Nine submitters identify as Māori.
19. Gender
is referenced by the following two graphs, the latter reflecting the age group
of respondents.
Feedback
received on the Whau Local Board’s priorities for 2022/2023
20. The Whau Local Board consulted on the following five
priorities for 2022/2023:
· Climate Action - support council and national
initiatives, at the same time looking to improve and protect the tree canopy
cover in the Whau
· Avondale Town Centre - progress work on the Avondale
multi-purpose facility and streetscape improvements
· Māori identity – promote te reo and enhance
visibility of Māori history in the Whau
· Te Whau Coastal Walkway – develop the connection
from Rizal Reserve towards Ken Maunder Park and continue to advocate for
support to complete the entire pathway
· Park improvements - focussed on Green Bay, Kelston, Glen
Avon, New Windsor and Rosebank, including future-proof planning for Olympic
Park.
21. Of the 313 Whau submissions, 216 responded to the
question seeking guidance as to whether Whau residents thought the local
board’s identified priorities for 2022/2023 were on the right track. A
majority of 116 of the 216 local respondents indicate
support for all of Whau’s priorities; 64 respondents indicate support for
most of Whau’s priorities. While 23 respondents indicate they do not
support most priorities, only six said they do not support any board
priorities.
22. Whau Local Board members have seen written submissions
and consultation feedback on local board priorities were discussed at Whau
Local Board’s workshop on 4 May 2022 for the purpose of informing the
Whau Local Board Agreement which is due to be adopted in its business meeting
on 22 June 2022.
23. The same financial pressure identified by the council is
also conveyed at a personal level in some of the feedback received.
Key themes
24. Overall, the recurring theme of most concern to
respondents is the Climate Action discussion. Although the topic is one of the
key topics for discussion at the regional Annual Budget level, it is manifested
at the local level. There is recurring commentary citing the need to protect
existing mature trees and enhancing future tree canopy in the Whau.
Other feedback
– supplementary information
25. Question 6 in the consultation questionnaire sought any
other feedback. These were captured through written, in-person and social media
channels. The themes that persisted are identified in the table below. In the
Whau, most of the commentary relates to three key areas: Parks, sport and
recreation; Local planning; Environmental management. These tended to be not so
much “other” feedback but supplementary feedback on the previously
identified local board priorities and regional topics.
26. The Whau
Local Board priorities outlined earlier in this report touches on the topic of
parks, sport and recreation through the initiatives of park improvements,
continuation of Te Whau Coastal Walkway and the support of targeted rates for
Climate Action. On the whole, the Whau Local Board priorities are strongly
supported, with a small minority of detractors.
27. Parks,
sport and recreation. Further commentary came out strongly supporting
protection and enhancement of tree canopy; there is acknowledgement of the
quality and value of the existing parks and playgrounds and facilities, one
submitter suggests more could be done by adding quality natives and more
attention to aesthetics. There is support for more and quality open spaces,
connected enhanced walking and cycling; a pool facility, and upgrade of the
Olympic Park velodrome. A very small minority do not see the value of the cycle
connections and consider current instalments underutilised.
28. Local
planning. The comments tagged to local planning varied in content, with
much ado about traffic – speed, density, cyclist and pedestrian safety in
and around town centres; frustration at perceived lack of planning in provision
of parking to link to public transport; some more frustration at the
perceived slowness of Avondale regeneration; out of scope commentary relate to
the privately owned Avondale Jockey Club land and identifying need for more
quality outdoor space for increasing number of apartment dwellers.
29. Environmental
management. About environmental management, majority of commentary is in
support of and advocating for more action to mitigate climate change –
and once again, the saving of existing, and enhancing of tree canopy, features
strongly. There is support for more use and attention on Whau River; more pest
management; more protection and maintenance of new plantings. While there is
small support for greater or more funding investment to tackle climate action
more effectively, there is also another small number who see these actions as a
waste of funds.
Requests for local funding
30. One request for local funding through the Annual Budget
2022/2023 consultation comes from the Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust.
This request has been diverted to be addressed within the local board’s
work programme development process. The local board could, when providing
feedback on Annual Budget consultation to the Finance and Performance Committee
on 25 May 2022, draw attention to the Trust’s request as a potential
recipient of regional climate targeted rate funding.
Overview of feedback received on
regional topics in the Annual Budget 2022/2023 from the Whau Local Board area
31. The proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023 sets out Auckland
Council’s priorities and how to pay for them. Consultation on the
proposed Annual Budget asked submitters to respond to four key questions on:
1. Climate
2. Budget
Pressures
3. Operating
Spending Prioritisation
4. Waste
Service Standardisation.
32. The submissions received from the Whau local board area
on these key issues are summarised below.
Key Question 1: Climate
33. Aucklanders were asked about a proposed climate action
package which will be funded by a targeted rate. The climate action package
includes investments in low-carbon public transport, active walking and cycling
networks; and urban ngahere (forest) canopy cover.
34. This
is proposed to be funded through $574 million from a targeted rate over the
next 10 years as well additional funding from government co-funding.
35. A lot of the commentary received by the Whau on Climate
responds to both regional and local proposals for the coming year. This is
because four out of the five priorities that the Whau Local Board consulted on
(refer paragraph 21), and which were supported by the majority of Whau
feedback, are projects that initiate climate-positive initiatives.
36. The table below gives an overview of the responses from
the Whau local board area. This is consistent with the Whau Local Board
recommended position of support, as conveyed to the Finance and Performance
Committee in November 2021.
37. The majority
of Whau feedback supports target rating to address climate action. The reasoning is well-informed and forward looking. For some,
the proposal does not go far enough and suggest higher rating and though
supportive, some are critical about the perceived lack of speed of action, not
enough action and lack of grander planning.
38. For the smaller number who do not support
targeted rates for climate action, some do not believe in climate change nor
see this as a role for local government. Other feedback is more reactive to own
and current economic circumstances, rather than looking toward better future
outcomes; cycleways are seen as being underutilized as is public transport.
Key themes
within Climate topic
39. Tree Canopy. The most comments in this area relate to the low
protection for tree canopy to date. Submitters want better regulations to
protect existing trees, especially mature trees, in an area such as the Whau
where there is intensified housing development and rapidly dissipating open
space. Submitters also support council intervention to speedily increase the
urban ngahere or tree canopy and protecting it in future.
40. Public Transport. There is criticism of public transport services not
providing what is needed, for example faster or express services for those
living further away from the CBD.
Key Question 2: Budget Pressures
41. Aucklanders were asked about a range of levers proposed
to manage on-going budget pressures. Council is forecasting a budget shortfall
of $85 million for 2022/2023 compared to what was budgeted for in the 10-year
Budget 2021-2031. This is due to on-going impacts of COVID-19 on revenue and
growing inflationary pressure.
42. A range of levers are proposed to manage the budget
pressures including:
· Using
the Government’s Better Off support package funding
· Changing
the timing of some capital spending
· Implementing
cost reductions in the form of efficiency savings and a potential reduction in
some services
· Keeping
the previously agreed general rates increase of 3.5 per cent for 2022/2023, and
· Continuing
work on the sale or long-term lease of non-strategic assets as required.
43. The table below gives an overview of the responses from
the Whau Local Board area. This is consistent with the Whau Local Board’s
recommended position of support, as conveyed to the Finance and Performance
Committee in November 2021.
44. There is majority support of how to address pressures but
some of the related commentary implied that not all were clear about the
supporting information provided. Comments
ranged from the council organisation being too large and expensive, to
politicians not being accountable for decisions they have made.
Key themes
within Budget Pressures topic
45. ‘No’ to Asset Sales – overall, the recurring theme is to not sell off
land or assets. This comes from both supporters and opposers of the proposals.
46. Since consultation, further reduction
in revenue caused by the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak and rising interest and
inflation costs has compounded budget pressures.
47. Local Board Chairs attended a Finance and Performance
Committee workshop outlining the increased pressures and a briefing was held
for all local board members.
Key Question 3: Operating Spending Prioritisation
48. Aucklanders were asked to provide feedback on a
proposal that would see the Council prioritise
operating spending to help manage on-going budget pressures. A set of criteria
to be used when making decisions about cost reductions, including those that
could reduce, stop or change some services, was proposed.
49. The proposal involves implementing $15
million of additional permanent cost reductions in the form of efficiency
saving and low-priority service reductions across the group in 2023/2024,
growing to $30 million per annum from 2024/2025 onwards.
50. The table below gives an overview of the responses from
the Whau local board area. This is consistent with the Whau Local Board
position of support, as conveyed to the Finance and Performance Committee in
November 2021.
Key themes
within Prioritising operating spending topic
51. Retention
of Core Level of Service. The boxes ticked
indicated majority support, but the commentary is a mixed bag. Overall, both
supporters and non-supporters express concern that what they term
‘essential or core services’ are not reduced.
Key Question
4: Waste Service Standardisation
52. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to standardise waste services and charges
across Auckland. The proposal would involve a move to a region-wide rates
funded refuse collection service and see a choice of three bin sizes (with
different pricing for each) to accommodate different household needs.
53. The table below gives an overview of the responses from
the Whau local board area. The majority of feedback is in support of
standardisation of waste through rating. This section is the only deviation
between Whau Local Board’s position and the majority feedback received.
54. The Whau Local Board had provided pre-consultation
feedback in November 2021 to the Finance and Performance Committee, citing its resolution WH/2021/95 of 22 September 2021 in
which the local board supported PAYT as the best driver to support
minimisation, equity and affordability.
55. However,
as well as majority support for the standardisation of waste management through
rating, notable was that 68, or 30 per cent of feedback supporting the PAYT
system. The commentary is consistent and compelling, and trended from persons
who have already habitually significantly reduced the amount of rubbish they
put out.
56. The
implication is, that by paying as you go, the disposer is forced to be made
aware of the cost related to rubbish disposal and he or she becomes more
engaged about how they dispose rubbish. On the other hand, by automatically
tossing rubbish into a weekly bin that is already rated for – there is no
prompt to think of the bigger environmental picture.
Key themes
within Standardising waste management topic
57. Rubbish
reduction needs to happen. Most submitters agreed that it would be better
to standardise across region. Rating seen as the most efficient method.
58. Equity.
Some commentary that Auckland Council are unaware of how many users have
already greatly reduced their rubbish output and are rewarded by the pay as you
throw system.
Supplementary
Question 4 – the standardising of opt out categories
59. Auckland Council is also proposing to
include standardising which properties can opt-out of waste management services
and charges across Auckland.
60. The
Whau Local Board had conveyed to the Finance and Performance Committee in
November 2021 their support in principle. However, the fourth proposal –
to apply a minimum base charge to every separately used or inhabited part of a
property – compelled the local board to ask that in future, staff
continue to investigate ways for neighbouring households to partner up and
share costs of both kerbside refuse and food scrap collections.
61. The majority of submitters supported all
four categories, as shown in the tables below.
Other feedback
62. For
the most part, the commentary from the Whau provides direct feedback to the
questions asked about the key regional topics and the priorities of the Whau
Local Board. No other key theme has emerged as a significant new issue
requiring reconfiguration of priorities.
Local board advocacy
63. Local
boards are requested to provide approved advocacy initiatives which considers
the consultation feedback above. This allows the Finance and Performance
Committee to consider these advocacy items when making recommendations on the
Annual Budget 2022/2023 to the Governing Body in June.
64. The
advocacy initiatives approved by the local board will be included as an
appendix to the 2022/2023 Local Board Agreement. At its workshop on 4 May, the
Whau Local Board confirmed the following three topics as its key points of
advocacy for 2022/2023 financial year:
· Ngahere
Project - more support, and quicker action through Ngahere and similar projects
to address the negative climate change impacts – in particular,
addressing the improvement and protection of urban tree canopy
· Unlock
Avondale - continued council, external organisations and community support for
Unlock Avondale programme
· Te
Whau Pathway - continued funding to complete the pathway.
Local board input on regional topics in
the Annual Budget 2022-2023
65. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility for identifying and communicating the
interests and preferences of the people in its local board area in relation to
Auckland Council’s strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws, and any
proposed changes to be made to them.
66. The
feedback received in this consultation process has been welcomed by the Whau
Local Board and will be a valued addition to the local board’s future
decision-making both inside and outside this Annual Budget process.
67. This
report provides an opportunity for the local board to provide input on the
Council’s proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
68. The
decisions recommended in this report are part of the Annual Budget 2022/2023
and local board agreement process to approve funding and expenditure over the
next year.
69. Projects
allocated funding through this Annual Budget process will all have varying
levels of potential climate impact associated with them. The climate impacts of
projects Auckland Council chooses to progress, are all assessed carefully as
part of the Council’s rigorous reporting requirements.
70. Four of the
Whau Local Board’s priorities consulted on will have direct and indirect
positive impact on climate action through their initiatives:
· Climate Action - support Council and national
initiatives, at the same time looking to improve and protect the tree canopy
cover in the Whau
· Avondale Town Centre - progress work on the Avondale
multi-purpose facility and streetscape improvements
· Te Whau Coastal Walkway – develop the connection
from Rizal Reserve towards Ken Maunder Park and continue to advocate for
support to complete the entire pathway
· Park improvements - focussed on Green Bay, Kelston, Glen
Avon, New Windsor and Rosebank, including future-proof planning for Olympic
Park.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
71. The
Annual Budget 2022/2023 is an Auckland Council Group document and will include
budgets at a consolidated group level. Consultation items and updates to
budgets to reflect decisions and new information may include items from across
the group.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
72. The
local board’s decisions and feedback are being sought in this report. The
local board has a statutory role in providing its feedback on regional plans.
73. Local
boards play an important role in the development of the council’s Annual
Budget. Local board agreements form part of the Annual Budget. Some local board
members have also attended Finance and Performance Committee workshops on the
Annual Budget.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
74. Many
local board decisions are of importance to and impact on Māori. Local
board agreements and the Annual Budget are important tools that enable and can
demonstrate the council’s responsiveness to Māori.
75. Local
board plans, developed in 2020 through engagement with the community including
Māori, form the basis of local board area priorities. There is a need to
continue to build relationships between local boards and iwi, and the wider
Māori community.
76. Analysis
provided of consultation feedback received on the proposed Annual Budget
includes submissions made by mana whenua and the wider Māori community who
have interests in the rohe / local board area.
77. Ongoing
conversations between local boards and Māori will assist to understand
each other’s priorities and issues. This in turn can influence and
encourage Māori participation in the Council’s decision-making
processes.
78. Some
projects approved for funding could have discernible impacts on Māori. The
potential impacts on Māori, as part of any project progressed by Auckland
Council, will be assessed appropriately and accordingly as part of relevant
reporting requirements.
79. Whau
Local Board’s proposed priorities for coming year, supported in the
public consultation feedback, considers Māori identity and signals the
local board’s intention to continually look for ways to partner with mana
whenua, promote te reo, and enhance visibility of Māori history in the
Whau. To this aim, the local board is in the process of setting a budget to
deliver Māori responsive projects in its 2022/2023 work programme.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
80. This
report is seeking the local board’s decisions on financial matters in the
local board agreement that must then be considered by the Governing Body.
81. The
local board also provides input to regional plans and proposals. There is
information in the Council’s consultation material for each plan or
proposal with the financial implications of each option outlined for
consideration.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
82. The
council must adopt its Annual Budget, which includes local board agreements, by
30 June 2022. The local board is required to make recommendations on these
local matters for the Annual Budget by mid May 2022 and present to the Finance
and Performance Committee on 25 May, to enable and support the Governing Body
to make decisions on key items to be included in the Annual Budget on 7 June
2022.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
83. The
local board will approve its local board agreement and corresponding work
programmes in June 2022.
84. Recommendations
and feedback from the local board will be provided to the Finance and
Performance committee for consideration ahead of that Committee making
recommendations to the Governing Body for decision.
85. The
final Annual Budget 2022/2023 (including local board agreements) will be
adopted by the Governing Body on 29 June 2022.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Author
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Antonina Georgetti - Local Board Advisor
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Authoriser
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Adam Milina - Local Area Manager
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