BBQs on the council
Aucklanders are being offered thousands of dollars to host neighbourhood barbecues in what has been described as a ’’diabolical use of ratepayers’ money’’ by the Auckland Ratepayers Association.
Local boards across Auckland are offering a total of $27,000, dished out in $200 grants, for neighbourhoods to throw street parties and events.
The funds are part of an initiative to bring neighbours together for the national Neighbours Day event on March 25 and 26.
Eight of Auckland’s 21 local March 25 - 26
$200 Local board grants on offer
boards have Neighbours Day funds.
The Albert-Eden Local Board initiated initiated its first fund in 2012.
Board member Margi Wilson said the idea behind the fund was to make more connected neighbourhoods.
‘‘Our small grants are for street-based events such as a street barbecue, a bouncy castle, or any activities that turn strangers into neighbours.’’
Wilson said the Albert-Eden Local Board allocated $5000 of funding towards the 2017 event.
Nicola Strawbridge lives on Halston Rd in Balmoral which used a grant in 2014 to host a street party.
She said the event was a catalyst as the street now got together every Neighbours Day without the help of the grant.
‘‘It was a great team from the neighbourhood who applied for the original grant in 2014,’’ Strawbridge said.
She said the annual events had built a more resilient neighbourhood that was well connected.
Auckland Ratepayers Association spokeswoman Jo Holmes has labelled the grants a ’’diabolical use of ratepayers’ money’’.
‘‘This is one of the biggest wastes of ratepayers money I have ever heard of,’’ Holmes said.
Despite the criticism Wilson defended the grants, saying feedback showed they were an overwhelming success.
‘‘When streets are more connected and looking out for one another research shows crime rates in that area drop,’’ she said.
The event must include 10 or more households from the local board area and grants cannot be used to purchase alcohol. Karl Ferguson said more than 3000 staff had viewed the series. ‘‘Our staff often get questions from friends and family about council-related topics, and summer BBQs are no exception.
‘‘Staff have told us that in these situations it would be useful to know a few of the key facts, especially where it’s highly topical.’’
The series includes scenarios a council employee may find themselves in at a barbecue. It highlights points that can be raised to clarify council misconceptions around topics such as rates, council debt and transport.
One fictitious scenario outlines a council employee being asked ‘‘I hear Auckland Council’s even further in debt this year. What are yous guys funding over there other than your big salaries?’’ It points out that debt rose to within agreed levels and that asset value has increased by $2.5 billion over the past 12 months.