After a decade of vanity projects, wasteful spending and empty gestures, Auckland Council’s abysmal financial management is finally catching up with it. While some may delight in its downfall, the residents and ratepayers are left to face the brunt of its inept management.

This is my submission on the Auckland Council Emergency Budget.

The proposed budget is really disappointing. It lacks vision, is extremely short sighted and consultation has been poor.

I’m deeply concerned about the cuts to safety programmes, environmental management and public transport which will all cost more than just money. The missing information on the Eastern Busway, Community Safety Fund and Ormiston Town Centre make it difficult to fully understand the impact.

With everything that has been happening, we've become accustomed to drastic action in the face of a crisis. But even still, the proposed Auckland Council emergency budget is still a shock.

COVID19 has required an unprecedented response at all levels of government and local council is not immune. As the health and economic impacts of the pandemic are beginning be understood, it's clear that we need to rethink our short term plans.