Let's use some of our rates to protect and improve our environment

Nichola Turenhout from South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network

Want to swim at French Bay in water that isn't toxic? Want to see native plants not covered in nasty weeds? And the Waitakere Ranges not closed to trampers? Then say so now!

The Auckland Council Long-Term Plan is up for review until 28 March 2018. This is the plan that decides how to allocate the Council’s budget for the next 10 years.

The current allocation is NOT ENOUGH to prevent species decline, nor general improvement to the state of the environment in the region.

If we want swimmable beaches in Titirangi, native plants and birds thriving, and weeds and animals pests eradicated, email Council today to ask them to focus on the environment.

That's all you have to do.

Asking for a targeted rate for the environment doesn't mean you will pay more; it just means that more money will be allocated to the environment, and not other sections in the budget.

Submissions are open until 28th March 2018. It’s easy to have your say in a 1-minute email, and it’s easy to encourage others to do the same (you can just forward this post).

The BEST ways to have your say...

QUICKLY -
If you want to support the environment and haven’t got a lot of time, the minimum you need to do is:
1. Email akhaveyoursay@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
2. State “I would like more to be spent on the environment”.
3. Include your name, address and contact details, otherwise your submission will be null and void.
4. If you have time, say whether you want budget option minimum increase, larger increase or maximum increase (see below)

These are the 4 budget options in the Long-Term Plan for the natural environment that you can have your say on:

1. Carry on with the same budget (which means environmental decline)

2. Minimum increase (aim to hold status quo / allow for slower decline)

3. Larger funding increase (would allow some improvement)

4. Other. If you want to vote for the complete RPMP that's needed to protect our environment, and was written pre-myrtle rust and the report on the Kauri dieback spread, we need to tick the box, other and write full RPMP $60 average house per annum.

Ready to have your say? We've listed the easiest ways below.....


The BEST ways to have your say...

QUICKLY -
If you want to feed back on the Long-Term Plan in support of the environment and haven’t got a lot of time, the minimum you need to do is:
1. Email akhaveyoursay@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
2. State “I would like more to be spent on the environment”. Choose option 2, 3 or 4, which is maximum budget for the environment.
3. Include your name, address and contact details, otherwise your submission will be null and void.

THOROUGHLY -
If you have a bit more time, you can:
1. Tell your story as to why something is important to you, or how something affects you – this is very useful feedback!
2. Read the overview or full plan and comment on the issues you find important. You can fill in this form to make it easy.
3. While the stated options have been provided for feedback, please remember that you can make a submission suggesting other options, outcomes, or funding amounts.

Click here to complete the full review: engage.ubiquity.co.nz...