Mayors back levy plan for community funding

Auckland's mayors have approved further work on a plan to bankroll community organisations by bringing in a compulsory region-wide levy of ratepayers from Waiuku to Wellsford.

The Mayoral Forum was told on Friday that such a levy would need legislation along the lines of that passed for the Museum of Transport and Technology in 2000.

This requires the seven councils to pay for its core operating costs.

Nine organisations, from surf lifesaving to culture and the arts, are part of a proposed bill which could be put before Parliament this year.

Auckland City Council is promoting the bill and its general manager of arts, community and recreation, Jill McPherson, was invited to address the closed forum.

Later, Dr McPherson said the result was encouraging, though mayors did not necessarily agree that all the nine organisations were serving the region in general.

The mayors agreed to their councils' managers joining a working party to advance the proposed bill and for councils to suggest any organisations in their areas that should be added to the list.

Presently there is the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Surf Life Saving (Northern Region), Watersafe Auckland, Auckland Philharmonia, Opera New Zealand, Auckland Theatre Co, Stardome Observatory, New Zealand National Maritime Museum and the Auckland Zoo.

Dr McPherson said it could be two years before any legislation could benefit the organisations which get either big, small or nothing in annual grants from the councils.

She said Auckland City's motive was not to cut its contributions but "about getting sufficient and secure funding for these groups so they can operate at a world-class level".

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said the impact on ratepayers would "not be a lot".

However, Franklin Mayor Mark Ball is seeking residents' views on his council collecting money from them on the organisations' behalf.

Last year the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust received $2000 in grants from the councils, surf life saving received $251,000, Watersafe $165,000, Stardome $220,000, Opera NZ $115,000, the theatre company $85,000, the Philharmonia $680,000 and maritime museum $690,000.