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Resolution
number WTK/2025/53
MOVED by Chairperson
G Presland, seconded by Member L Manley:
That
the Waitākere Ranges Local
Board:
a) whiwhi / receive Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation feedback on the proposed Waitākere
Ranges Local Board
priorities and activities.
b) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on
regional topics in the Annual
Plan 2025/2026 from people and organisations based in the Waitākere Ranges local board area.
c) tuku / provide the following input on regional
topics in the proposed Annual
Plan 2025/2026 and Governing Body:
Financial Proposals
i) tautoko
/ support the rates increase of 5.8 per cent, consistent with the 2024-2034
Long-term Plan.
ii) tautoko
/ support the targeted rates, including the Natural Environment Targeted Rate
and Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate, the Water Quality Targeted Rate,
and the Waste Management Targeted Rate.
iii) tūtoho
/ recommend that the Natural Environment Targeted Rate be increased at the
same rate as the General Rate (5.8 per cent) instead of the proposed 3.5 per
cent.
iv)
tono / request an increased focus through the Natural Environment Targeted
Rate funded programme on the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area.
v)
recommend significant extra investment to meet council’s climate change
targets.
Transport
vi)
tautoko
/ support additional funding to address rail level crossings on the Western
line and request that crossings in the Waitākere Ranges local board area
be prioritised so that the west can fully capitalise on the benefits of the
City Rail Link, whilst better managing roading network impacts.
vii)
tono
/ request the Governing Body take action to meet Auckland Council’s
Transport Emission Reductions Pathway for proposed emission reductions.
Storm Recovery
viii)
tono
/ request that Council revisit the Road Reserve Scheme to support property
owners impacted by slips within the road reserve in Titirangi and elsewhere in
order to more effectively meet the shortfall created by the change in
application of the scheme.
Water
ix)
tautoko
/ support increased investment in asset renewals to improve the resilience
and efficiency of Auckland’s water assets.
x)
tautoko
/ support investment in the Making Space for Water Programme to strengthen
Auckland’s resilience to flooding to accelerate delivery of the
programme within six years instead of across 10 years, noting known high-risk
areas in the local board area.
Destination management and major events
xi)
continue
to support council advocating for the introduction of a bed night visitor
levy on short-stay commercial accommodation, to fund destination management,
marketing and major events capped at 2.5 per cent of the accommodation
charge.
Changes to other rates, fees and charges
xii)
does
not support the 3 per cent increase to the overall waste management targeted
rate for a typical household in light of proposed reductions to waste
services for residents and ratepayers.
xiii)
tuhi
tīpoka / oppose increases in dog adoption fees, and note the need to
keep animal management fees reasonable in order not to discourage public
uptake of dog adoption.
xiv)
tautoko
/ support changes to cemetery fees, acknowledging that existing fees are well
below those charged by other providers.
xv)
tuhi
tīpoka / note with concern the fact that Waikumete Cemetery is currently
at capacity, so residents are restricted in their options for funeral
arrangements.
xvi)
does
not support increases for bach fees as these baches provide an opportunity
for families and those of moderate means to afford opportunities to enjoy our
parks and reserves.
Economic and cultural development
xvii)
tuhi
tīpoka / note that there is no current support for local economic
development, and minimal ability for local areas to leverage the benefits
from regional events.
Well-managed local government
xviii)
tautoko
/ support investment into Māori outcomes including the Marae
Infrastructure Programme and capacity funding.
xix)
tono
/ request the eligibility criteria of the Marae Infrastructure Programme and
financial parameters of the Cultural Initiatives Fund be opened up to enable
access to council funding for Mana Whenua seeking to develop new marae.
xx)
tautoko
/ support progressing Te Kawerau ā Maki’s key projects, in
particular Te Henga marae and papakāinga.
xxi)
tuhi
tīpoka / note and support the request for funding to create a Te Kawerau
ā Maki Community Officer role in West Auckland to better connect with
local boards and local communities, and request that Ngā Matarae fund
this role in 2025 /2026.
Fairer Funding
xxii)
whakamihi
/ thank the Mayor and CEO for agreeing to manage 2025/2026 cost pressures and
budget oversights but note that staff have advised that from 2026/2027, the
new Fairer Funding allocation will be used to cover cost pressures identified
in 2025/2026 and any new yet to be discovered cost pressures.
xxiii)
tuhi
tīpoka / note its concern that accurate, detailed information has not
been available to local boards through much of the work programme process
creating uncertainty and inefficiencies in time and effort.
xxiv)
tuhi
tīpoka / note its disappointment that the 2025/2026 cost pressures have
only been addressed for 2025/2026 and will need to be addressed in the new
term.
xxv)
kohuki
/ consider that cost pressures including inflation, should be funded through
rates increases, noting that if not, from 2026/2027 many local boards will
have to cut services to manage cost pressures and that will result in many
local boards being worse off under Fairer Funding.
Advocacy
d)
raise the following
advocacy initiatives with the governing body:
Regional
Parks
i)
tono /
request that the Governing Body allocate $9.8 million of new funding to
repair the damage to the tracks from the 2023 cyclone in the Waitakere Ranges
Regional Park.
ii)
tono /
request that the Governing Body allocate funding to complete the Waitākere
Ranges Regional Park recreation plan including a track plan.
Bus
services to outer area
iii)
tono /
request that Auckland Transport implement a trial of public transport
services with a small bus shuttle service to Piha and Karekare, Te Henga and
Huia.
Waitākere
Ranges Heritage Area funding
iv)
tono /
request that the Governing Body allocate funding at an appropriate level for
Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area projects and note that additional funding
would be consistent with council’s obligations under section 22 of the
Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act (WRHAA).
Glen
Eden town centre
v)
tono /
request that the Governing Body prioritise Glen Eden town centre regeneration
planning and delivery, noting the context of the restructure of Eke Panuku.
Level
Crossings
vi)
tono /
request that the Governing Body allocate additional funding to plan for the
impacts of the City Rail Link and the higher frequency of services that
necessitate the removal of rail level crossings so that the west can
fully realise the benefits of the City Rail Link, whilst better managing
roading network impacts.
Te
Kawerau ā Maki Marae
vii)
tono / urge
that the Governing Body provide significant support for Te Kawerau ā
Maki’s plans to construct a Marae at Te Henga, noting that Te Kawerau
ā Maki is the only local iwi without a marae.
West
Auckland pool
viii)
tono / request
that the Governing Body continue to support and fund the construction of a
second and third pool in West Auckland in the Whau and Henderson-Massey local
board areas.
Water
Safety
ix)
tono /
request the Governing Body increase funding (via the Auckland Regional
Amenities Funding) to extend the hours and season for surf lifesaving patrols
on West Coast beaches.
x)
tono /
request the Governing Body adopt the Manukau Harbour water safety programme,
developed by Regional Parks.
Local
economic development plan
xi)
tono /
request that the Governing Body support additional resource for local boards
for local economic development planning and delivery, particularly for Glen
Eden.
CARRIED
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