Auckland Council's
long-term plan (LTP) is its mechanism for funding initiatives and work programmes in support of the Auckland Plan 2050.
Elected representatives make decisions for the coming 10-year period on what will be funded and when funding will be available, and how much ratepayers, residents and users will contribute to delivering on different outcomes in the Auckland Plan 2050.
Having a clear plan of Auckland Council's spend on infrastructure, community facilities, transport, environmental, cultural, economic and social programmes also enables the council to work with central government on how, when and what they will contribute to Auckland's development.
The Infrastructure Strategy requires Auckland Council to identify issues facing our infrastructure over the coming 30-plus years. We are also required to project funding requirements over this period to support our communities and to achieve the outcomes of the Auckland Plan 2050.
The funding projection helps the council and our communities to understand the long-term investment that infrastructure requires, and the long-term impacts of this investment.
Prudent financing
Auckland Council uses a number of tools to fund and finance its contribution towards delivering the plan's outcomes. The key tools are:
- property rates
- debt
- contributions from developers
- charges for water and wastewater
- charges for other specific services.
The council's financial strategy details how these tools enable investment while maintaining a focus on ratepayer affordability, efficiency in delivery and prudent borrowing.
Auckland Council, central government and others continue to investigate new approaches to funding and financing. These include:
- use of market and incentive-based tools
- efficient and flexible pricing of infrastructure and service delivery
-
demand management
- private sector participation.
Auckland Council will continue to use funding and financing tools available within existing legislation, and may seek legislative change to expand the range of funding tools available.
Legislation that enables a regional fuel tax came into effect in June 2018. Initially available only in the Auckland region, the fuel tax provides a funding tool for regional councils to raise revenue to fund transport projects that would otherwise be delayed or not funded. Within Auckland the regional fuel tax runs from 2018 to 2028.
Read more about the council's
financial strategy.
Updates to the Auckland Plan 2050
The Auckland Plan 2050 was adopted in June 2018.
The plan is a 'living plan' that will evolve to address emerging or changing issues, as well as reflect updated data and evidence.
As local, national and international conditions and circumstances change and affect Auckland, the Auckland Plan will need to adapt.
New and revised data, links to new government or Auckland-based policy, and examples of delivery programmes and innovative projects will be added periodically so that it remains up to date and relevant.
This approach of creating a 'living plan' will not change the strategic direction, but will allow it to remain current and relevant.
Major issues or disruptions may require changes to parts of the plan, possibly all of it. Any changes to the plan's direction would need formal consultation.