Auckland Council approve Goff's $26 billion budget

Thursday, 31 May 2018

The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax kicked in on July 1, 2018 (video first published in May 2018).

Auckland Council has green-lighted mayor Phil Goff's 'build-it' 10-year budget.

On Thursday, council decided to implement Goff's final proposed budget which will represent the largest-ever investment in Auckland's infrastructure - $26.2 billion over the next 10 years.

It marked the beginning of 'transformative work' aimed to tackle the critical issues of transport congestion and protecting the environment, Goff said.

Dubbed the 'build-it budget', mayor Phil Goff has had his final proposed 10-year budget approved by Auckland Council.

'These issues have sat in the too hard basket for too long, but not any more,' he said.

**READ MOE:

An artist's rendition of the proposed Dominion Rd light rail route.

* AirBnB rates approved as Auckland Council passes 10-year 'green' budget

* Transport and environment big winners in Auckland 10-year budget

* What you need to know about Auckland's regional fuel tax

* Auckland Council approves regional fuel tax**

'This council has taken responsibility for delivering a better Auckland that will over time have a more efficient and effective transport network, more houses, cleaner water and a healthier environment.'

The largest part of the budget will be going toward transport, where Auckland Council plans to commit $12b, of which $4.3b will be leveraged from the approved regional fuel tax.

That will take the overall transport investment in Auckland to $28b - with Goff also indicating a further $4b could be on the way from the Government to help with light rail.

On the environmental front, $311 million, from a natural environment targeted rate, would go toward tackling kauri dieback.

Councillor and chair of the Finance and Performance Committee, Ross Clow, said it was a budget for all of Auckland

'It's not just focused on one geographical area or one issue – the whole of the city will see tangible, positive impacts from this budget in a range of different ways and that is really important.' he said.

Auckland's 10-year budget breakdown:

_- The budget represents a capital investment of $26.2b

- $12b for transport

- $452m in stormwater infrastructure and beach/harbour clean up

- $311m from a natural environment targeted rate to tackle Kauri dieback

- $40m for a climate change response fund

- $90m for coastal asset management

- $120m for sports and recreation

- $475,000 to Auckland City Mission to fight homelessness_