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Resolution
number OR/2025/51
MOVED by
Chairperson S Milne, seconded by Deputy Chairperson S Powrie:
That the Ōrākei Local Board:
a)
receive consultation feedback on the proposed
Ōrākei Local Board priorities and activities for 2025/2026.
i)
note the overall
support of respondents for the board direction and priorities.
ii)
note the
overwhelming support from respondents for continuation of board activities to
improve waterways, water quality and natural environment.
iii)
note the strong
support for enhancing neighbourhood connections and increasing safety and
emergency preparedness, such as through funding for Neighbourhood Support.
b)
confirm progressing
investigation of a local targeted rate to maintain and repair seawalls, replenish sand, and extend
stormwater outflows further offshore from Tāmaki Yacht Club to Achilles Point as
supported in the feedback.
c)
receive
consultation feedback on regional topics in the Annual Plan 2025/2026 from people and organisations based in the
Ōrākei Local Board area. Key themes from the feedback included:
i)
a need for greater
investment public transport and infrastructure.
ii)
support for the
bed-night visitor levy for the continuation of major events, noting that
events will often require multiple sources of income.
iii)
dissatisfaction
with council costs and perceived wasteful spending.
iv)
rate increase
concerns.
v)
preference for
council to focus on core services.
d)
note that many of
the key themes relate to dissatisfaction with council and excessive
bureaucracy. The board would like to see more transparency in how budgets are
developed, contracts allocated, and money spent.
e)
note that our
community are concerned by the relatively low level of the Uniform Annual
General Charge (UAGC) and the fact that it has not moved in line with the
overall rates take increase, and that it is unreasonable for citizens to pay
more for council services just based on the value of their property and that
an inequity has developed as our area becomes intensified with increased
numbers accessing council services.
f)
refer to staff that
feedback on changes to fees and charges indicate a low-level of understanding
on what was being proposed and that this might provide opportunities for
improvement in future consultations.
g)
note that the CCO reform was
not included in the consultation. Our community is concerned at the Governing
Body’s ability to adequately resource those services that have now been
brought in house such as economic development, property expertise and major
events.
h)
note the continued lack of
clarity over future dispensation of Fairer Funding and the potential to
disproportionately penalise some local boards over others.
i)
confirm the following advocacy
initiatives:
i)
increased regional
investment to waterways and water quality including improved capacity for
Engineered Overflow Points, investment into the Waiatarua Reserve stormwater
tunnel, the Newmarket Gully project, and more resource into separation from wastewater and
stormwater infrastructures.
ii)
progression of the
Meadowbank Community Centre project, including investigation of multiple
business models.
iii)
accountability from
finance on providing better and clearer information towards future budgets
and allocations. Local boards cannot have certainty in making long-term
decisions without reliable advice from staff, including Annual Budget and
Fairer Funding.
iv)
urge the Governing
Body to emphasize the need to central government for more discretion over
planning and developing bespoke plans for the Auckland region and local board
areas.
v)
urge the Governing Body
to increase the UAGC to address an inequity that has developed as the overall
rates take has increased and intensification has increased the number of
people putting pressure on basic council services.
vi)
continue to
progress the Gowing Drive connection to Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai – the Glen
Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path, noting that this item is in the
Regional Land Transport Plan.
CARRIED
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