On 25 March 2025, Property Council submitted on Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2026/2027.
Why this matters to our members
Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2026/2027 sets out the Council’s objectives for the next financial year and provides the framework for funding and delivering these initiatives.
Our view
Property Council supports the Annual Plan and encourages Auckland Council to work alongside the development community to utilise City Rail Link investment opportunities and strategic infrastructure delivery and sequencing. We do not support the proposed increase in the business rating differential, as this is inconsistent with Auckland Council’s previous commitment to progressively reduce the differential rates burden over time.
At a high level, we recommended that Auckland Council:
- Recommit to reducing the business differential, as previously promised, when the Long-term Plan is reviewed in 2027, and commit to a clear timeline for doing so;
- Amend the 2026/2027 Annual Plan to align with the Long-Term Plan forecast and limit the average business rates increase to 8.22 per cent;
- Investigate alternative funding and financing tools;
- Provide clear and transparent reporting on the outcomes delivered through the City Centre Targeted Rate to date, alongside defined performance measures and expected delivery timeframes for future initiatives funded by the rate;
- Collaborate more closely with the development sector to unlock mixed-use development around CRL stations; and
- Work alongside the development sector to provide greater certainty around infrastructure sequencing, giving the sector confidence to invest in growth areas and align development with the timely provision and efficient use of infrastructure.