Productivity Commission - Some councils struggling to supply enough infrastructure are not using all the funding tools they could

Thursday, 4^th July, 2019

Commenting on the Productivity Commission draft local government funding and financing report, Auckland Business Chamber head Michael Barnett noted that the Commission favoured the ‘benefit principle” - i.e., those who benefit from a service should pay for its costs.

The Commission also noted that issues of fairness and equity arise from the differential rating, a long-standing concern of the Chamber.

Other notable points in the report included the suggestion that Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are a financing option to help councils nearing their debt levels to invest in development in a way involves debt sitting off a council’s balance sheet.

Value capture and user charging would help growth ‘pay for itself’ was among other positive suggestions for a change in how local government to better handle funding growth infrastructure.

The Chamber will make a detailed response to the Commission.

For more information contact Michael Barnett, mobile: 0275 631 150.
Michael Barnett, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber.