We need your input so we can deliver

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Your current Howick Local Board, from left, Bruce Kendall, Peter Young, Mike Turinsky, Adele White, deputy chair Bo Burns, chair Damian Light, John Spiller, Katrina Bungard and David Collings. File photo supplied

By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson

From Friday, February 28, until Friday, March 28, public consultation will be open on the proposed annual budget for Auckland Council and Howick Local Board.

We’re focused on delivering the next year of our strategy, responding to the changing needs of our diverse and growing communities.

Protecting and restoring the environment remains a high priority, and we’re looking at ways to improve how we measure progress.

Targeted monitoring of water quality and pollution will help ensure our investment is achieving the outcomes our awa (waterways) need.

We’re also responding to the demand for a dump station in Half Moon Bay and proactive surveillance to tackle illegal dumping in Flat Bush.

We’re proposing a modest increase in investment into our youth and local economic development to support our businesses as they recover from a challenging period.

This includes youth upskilling, more crime-prevention funding, and refreshing our tourism and heritage plans, which were last updated in 2016.

To accommodate the massive population growth in Flat Bush, we’ve been advocating to build the critical Flat Bush Community Centre and Library, and the Pool and Leisure Centre.

We’re pleased funding has been allocated from next year, but even with this funding, delivery is still some years away, so we’re exploring ways to accelerate them both including potentially a targeted rate.

Cost pressures remain so we may need to adjust our existing programmes to fit within our constrained budget.

We welcome feedback on areas you think may be a lower priority if we need to reduce our spending.

Your input into this process is invaluable, helping ensure we focus on what’s important to our community.

You can have your say at your local library or online at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/