PHOTO:ABIGAIL DOUGHERTY/STUFF Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.
OPINION: Just over two months ago, we came together as a city and a nation to tackle the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic, one of the biggest challenges we have ever faced.
The hard work and collective effort by New Zealanders throughout the Covid-19 lockdown saved lives and has allowed us to start reopening our economy.
Now, we face a new but related challenge.
The impact of Covid-19, with the lockdown, border closure and international recession, is likely to result in the most severe economic downturn in our lifetime.
For Auckland Council, it means a loss of more than half a billion dollars in revenue over the next year — a financial hit unprecedented in Auckland’s history.
Coronavirus has slashed council’s non-rates revenue from dividends from assets like Auckland Airport, significantly reduced income from our venues and facilities like the zoo and leisure centres, and has slashed income from public transport fares and parking.
With economic slowdown, there will also be lower revenue from development contributions and the council’s regulatory functions.
This loss of income means that we need to spend less.
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