Auckland ‘climate levy’ proposed

Auckland mayor Phil Goff has proposed a new “climate levy” expected to cost a median household an extra $1.10 a week in the 2022-2023 Auckland Council budget.

The “Climate Action Targeted Rate” (CATR) is expected to raise about $574 million over 10 years and encourage a further $471m to come from central government and other sources as the council looks to spend more on low-emission buses (adding 66), cycling infrastructure (18km of safe cycling facilities), walking (35km), accelerating ferry fleet decarbonisation ($122m), and planting more native trees (14,500).

Goff points to the latest report which warns Auckland isn’t doing enough to reduce carbon emissions, especially from transport.

The first draft of the proposed new budget goes out for public consultation early next year and is due to be implemented around July 2022.

Included is the aim to put 170,000 more Aucklanders within 500 metres of a frequent bus route.