Submissions of feedback on the 10-year budget for Rodney (spanning 2021-2031) are due to close soon, and as of the 14th of March, there were only 600 submissions. 

With the submission deadline of the 22nd of March rapidly approaching, the Rodney Local Board is calling for more locals to have their say, in order to make sure that the budget addresses the issues that matter most to the citizens of Rodney. 

COVID-19 left a $1 billion shortfall in Auckland Council's budget, hitting services and local board projects. Tough decisions are needed, and community feedback helps the local board understand what matters most to us.

The Rodney Local Board advocates to councillors, who decide on funding. Their proposed priorities are safe and well-maintained roads, with Auckland Transport getting funding to renew and maintain 12% of the city's roading network yearly; and securing $121 million for AT's Unsealed Roads Improvement Programme.

Proposals for the local board in the 2021-2022 financial year:

• continue to deliver improvements to our village and town centres
• continue to improve water quality in our waterways
• improve our local biodiversity and natural environment by eradicating pests
• continue restoration work and mitigation of kauri dieback
• support the community, and community resource recovery and recycling centres to minimise waste, turn waste into resources, and to promote education on waste reduction
• progress the outcomes identified in the Green Road master plan
• progress renewals or construction of key community facilities including Wellsford toilets, Kumeū Library, Mahurangi Community Centre.

Allocations for the budget for the next year: 

Community services

Operating spend: 2021/2022: $14.3 million

Capital spend: 2021/2022: $5.4 million

Environmental services

Operating spend: 2021/2022: $487,000

Planning services: $315,000

Governance

Operating spend: 2021/2022:$1.1 million

Feedback on the 10-year budget is open until 22 March at akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget where you can also comment on the council's regional priorities.

Regardless of whether you support the 10-year budget, community feedback is crucial, so please read, submit, and share as widely as possible.