In a statement today, Mayor Wayne Brown said: \u201cThank goodness for that, this one\u2019s been beaten to death\u201d.<\/p>\n
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown talks with Herald journalist Katie Bradford about social media abuse aimed at councillors. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what we proposed and what a majority of the public and local boards agreed on two years ago: a zero rates rise, plus a train set. And we are managing to stick to it in this economy, in this global volatility. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile times are tough, we are maintaining strict internal discipline to protect everyday services without racking up costly debt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown said the annual plan locked in critical financial settings to maintain services, drive efficiencies and fund major infrastructure. <\/p>\n
The rates hike \u201csuccessfully holds the line against intense economic headwinds\u201d. <\/p>\n
Faced with global fuel pressures, inflation, and structural funding challenges, Brown said the council navigated an added $213 million budget risk that could have triggered a 15% rates spike. <\/p>\n
It had also committed to a $106m savings target – \u201clarger than the entire rates revenue of 54 other councils\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about investing in Auckland, and we should invest in this stunning harbour city of ours – I don\u2019t want to end up back where it was when I took office, with crumbling pipes around the city leaking. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will not do what some other councils have done \u2013 defer costs, underfund depreciation, and pass the problem to future generations. I\u2019m glad our plan is working, and that sensible heads around the council table have prevailed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council chief executive Phil Wilson said both the community and financial prudence were front-of-mind. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very mindful of the cost of living challenges our community is facing and, therefore, delivering increased value is an absolute priority in the next 12 months and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the budget was premised on a \u201cvery substantial savings target\u201d and the council absorbing inflationary pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is challenging and further efficiencies across the council business are needed to ensure rates deliver more for Aucklanders, across our investments. From public transport and local services to project delivery, we will be seeking out all opportunities to deliver increased value for rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stinging rebuke<\/p>\n
Division and bullying claims spilled out publicly<\/a> among Auckland councillors last month after Burns launched a stinging rebuke of her council colleagues <\/a>over what she described as a toxic culture involving bullying, intimidation, hostility and fear.<\/p>\n The Herald also revealed that Wilson had written to councillors to remind them about standards and professional obligations.<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood the situation had come to a head since a controversial vote in May over the 7.9% rates increase<\/a> divided councillors and triggered a public campaign against the hike by the Ratepayers Alliance.<\/p>\n In a public Facebook post, Burns said she had walked out of several meetings due to the behaviour of her colleagues.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we need to lift the standard of public discourse and challenge the idea that bad behaviour is somehow normal because it happens in politics. It isn\u2019t,\u201d Burns wrote. <\/p>\n \u201cWe should expect better from our leaders, our organisations, our workplaces and ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Burns went to ground after making the post, but some commentators pointed out the irony of her complaining about abusive behaviour and personal attacks, after she was forced to apologise last year for expletive-laden comments about outgoing Auckland councillor Sharon Stewart<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Herald also revealed that abuse aimed at Auckland politicians had ramped up in recent weeks over the rates issue, including death threats being referred to police<\/a>. <\/p>\n Brown fired up at social media users and interest groups who he blamed for leading some of the toxic comments, saying there were \u201cdreadful people out there\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s disgusting and if you go looking for these things with social media, you\u2019ll probably find them about me and my family as well, but I prefer not to look.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilson said councillors had expressed concerns about a \u201cgeneral deterioration in behaviour\u201d, particularly with comments aimed at them on social media.<\/p>\n Much of the abuse was linked to \u201cdifficult decisions\u201d on the council\u2019s annual budget, he said.<\/p>\n Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years\u2019 experience in the industry.<\/p>\nHowick ward councillor Bo\u00a0Burns.<\/p>\n