Given the current climate due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession, Property Council New Zealand recommends the following:
(a) Auckland Council adopt a 2.5% rates increase which will see additional reductions in the budget and taking on further debt.
(b) Focus on core infrastructure such as; upgrades to water services and roads, during the recovery period, and reassess spending on other projects as part of the Long Term Plan 2021-31.
(c) Investigate alternative funding mechanisms such as user charges, targeted rates, public-private partnerships and special purpose vehicles.
(d) Leverage the Government’s depreciation policy to support ratepayers and the property sector.