Making a submission on Auckland Council’s Annual Budget 2023/2024

#Keepaklactive – Have Your Say

Consultation on Auckland Council’s Annual Budget 2023/2024 is currently open, closing at 11.00pm on Tuesday 28 March 2023 – during this period, the public can have their say. This communication outlines simple steps we can take as a sector to ensure our collective voice is heard. 

Our sector in Tāmaki Makaurau 

We all know that the last few years have been particularly challenging for Tāmaki Makaurau, with tough choices around those challenges required as outlined in the budget. 

Aktive believes play, active recreation and sport requires recognition and investment in this budget – and we know this view is shared by many of you.  

We need to ensure all Aucklanders regardless of age, ethnicity and ability level can participate in play, active recreation and sport in fit-for-purpose facilities and spaces to enable them to live active, healthy lives, with positive health, community and economic benefits. We believe that Auckland Council's Annual Plan proposal will impact on this.  

Have your say 

If you’re a play, active recreation or sport focused organisation, it’s important you know that well prepared and widely supported public submissions make a difference.  

Aktive has provided this submission example that you can tailor accordingly, along with a corresponding instruction sheet which also includes how and where to submit your feedback form. 

Here are some additional tips: 

• Be clear: clearly state your topic and concerns – headings and/or bullet points can help  
• Examples: provide evidence of a need that is quantified and verifiable 
• Benefits: outline the benefits to your area, sport, community 
• Community connection: make sure you emphasise how your thinking will benefit the wider community 
• Call to action: tell Council what decision you want them to make. 
•  

Matters which Council is considering that will impact our sector include: 

• Removal of funding for the Regional Recreation Facility Operating Grant 
• Removing funding for the Regional Sport and Recreation Programme Grant 
• A significant reduction in the discretionary operating budgets of Local Boards, including sources of community funding 
• Reduced hours of operation and possible closures of Council owned and run community facilities 
• Increased fees for bookable spaces in pool and leisure facilities 
• Changes to charges for leases and maintenance of Council owned but community leased buildings 
•  

As an individual – whether you’re a coach, manager, administrator, parent or participant – pick something that’s relevant and important to you (it can be a single aspect). This is your opportunity to have your say.  

For further information about advocacy, you can also review the Sport and Recreation Advocacy Toolkit in the online Aktive resource hub. 

# Keepaklactive – and have your say 

For more information, like and share this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/keepaklactive