Our central proposal for the Long-term Plan 2024-2034

The central proposal is our proposed budget for the long-term plan. It looks to strengthen Auckland’s physical and financial resilience, while tackling some big budget challenges.

The proposal is to make do with the assets we have (resources we own), and the services and activities we provide, while spending where it is needed most, like on storm recovery and to improve transport.

However, the central proposal is not the only option. We could do more or less than what is in our proposal. This is what we want your feedback on.

We want to know if you think we should:

• make do with what we have (our central proposal)
• do more and pay more (in rates)
• do less and pay less (in rates).

Visit Long-term plan options and trade-offs explained for more information.

Our central proposal

Investment and spend

In the central proposal, we plan:

• capital investment of $39.3 billion over 10 years
• operating spending of $72 billion over 10 years.

The proposal also includes:

• a $50 million cost reduction target by year three of the long-term plan for the services delivered by Auckland Council
• a $30 million asset recycling target per year ($300 million over 10 years).

Rates increases

The overall rates increases for the average-value residential property under the central proposal are:

• 7.5 per cent in year one
• 3.5 per cent in year two
• 8 per cent in year three
• no more than 3.5 per cent a year after that.

This includes changes to some targeted rates, including not lowering the share of rates paid by businesses as previously planned.

Auckland Future Fund

The central proposal includes establishing a regional wealth fund (the Auckland Future Fund) to manage our financial investments and improve our financial resilience.

Visit Auckland Future Fund for more information.

Council services and activities in the central proposal

Transport

The central proposal for transport includes:

• a total capital spend of around $14 billion for Auckland Transport
• support for the City Rail Link (CRL) and improvements to some level crossings
• investing in a rapid transport network for faster, easier-to-use and more reliable public transport
• renewing and maintaining the existing transport infrastructure
• capped weekly public transport passes
• dynamic lanes (that can change direction at peak times) to improve traffic flow
• a 'time-of-use' scheme to help manage traffic congestion.

Water

The central proposal includes:

• a capital spend of around $1.9 billion for Watercare and $3.3 billion for the council to deliver stormwater projects
• prioritising urgent renewals and maintenance works to support the resilience of water and wastewater networks
• supporting the growth of Auckland by investing in new water and wastewater systems
• continuing the Central Interceptor project including Erin Point Tunnel, to reduce wastewater overflows and to clean up waterways
• reinstating and extending the Water Quality Targeted Rate to fund programmes including:
  • western isthmus water quality improvement through the Waterview catchment separation works
  • Point Chevalier stormwater separation works
  • eastern isthmus water quality improvement by completing the Lower Khyber Pass separation works to increase the capacity of the stormwater network.
• strengthening Auckland’s resilience against flooding by investing in the Making Space for Water programme over 10 years, partly funded by the government.

Parks and community

The central proposal for parks and community includes:

• a total capital (asset) spend of around $4 billion and operating investment of $7 billion
• a greater focus on growing partnerships with community service providers
• investing $35 million over three years to address the lack of indoor sports facilities in Auckland
• improving funding for both city and local development
• increase the number of urban regeneration projects
• renew critical assets such as seawalls on our waterfront
• continue to deliver the City Centre Targeted Rate programme.
• complete the Midtown Regeneration Programme and the Karanga-a-Hape (train) Station
• redevelop the option for a North Harbour Stadium precinct
• continue to provide natural and cultural heritage experiences through our regional facilities.

Environment

The central proposal for the environment includes:

• reinstating the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) to previously planned levels to raise around $32.6 million in 2024/2025 to protect and restore our natural environment (with $200,000 to help deal with the invasive caulerpa seaweed)
• supporting volunteers and communities to look after our environment, pest management and native biodiversity programmes
• improving waste diversion, particularly for construction and demolition waste
• delaying the introduction of any new or enhanced environmental services.

Council support

The central proposal for council support includes:

• changes to consolidate service functions and reduce duplication across the council organisations
• investing in fit-for-purpose technology to improve our services and provide a better experience for Aucklanders
• increasing Māori outcomes funding by $3 million (to $171 million)
• reducing the council’s operating costs to achieve $50 million of annual savings by year three of the long-term plan
• an asset sales target of $300 million
• supporting emergency services to be ready to effectively respond in times of crisis
• working with central government to deliver the ‘Auckland Deal’.

You should know

The information on this page is an edited version of the proposed Long-term Plan 2024-2034.

For more information, see pages 22-23 of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 Consultation Document [PDF 17MB].