City budget day: the key numbers as they come in
Follow live as the council presents next year's budget: roads, schools, health and what it means for your rates.
The city council is presenting next year's budget today. This page brings you the key numbers and reactions as they come in.
The council has said spending on roads and drainage will be its top priority after last year's floods.
Below are our live updates, newest first. Key points are collected at the top.
Key points
Opposition reaction
Opposition members welcome the drainage plan but ask how the council will pay for it without raising rates. Debate continues.
No rise in property rates
The chair confirms that property rates will not rise next year. Cheers from the public gallery.
Schools
Spending on schools rises by 9 percent. The money will pay for 120 new classrooms and repairs to toilets in 40 schools.
Roads and drainage get the largest share: 14 billion, almost a third of the total. The chair says 60 kilometres of drains will be cleared before the next rains.
Total budget announced
The council proposes to spend 48 billion next year, up 11 percent on this year.
Council in session
The session has opened. The finance committee chair will present the budget shortly.
The conversation · 0