THE BETTER OFF PACKAGE IS ONE OF THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT PACKAGES PROVIDED TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE THREE WATERS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME, ENABLING COUNCILS TO INVEST IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
$500 MILLION OF CROWN FUNDING HAS BEEN PRE-ALLOCATED TO COUNCILS BASED ON A NATIONALLY CONSISTENT FORMULA.
The funding was available from 1 July 2022. Government has appointed National Infrastructure (NIFF) to administer and monitor the fund for the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). The programme will enable councils to focus on the wellbeing and aspirations of their communities.
This Better Off Funding can be used for those projects communities feel they need the most, be it local parks and gardens, swimming pools, libraries and community centres, or investment in public transport and infrastructure to protect against extreme weather events and sea level rises.
The Programme must support one or more of the Better Off Package criteria:
The Programme must support one or more of the Better Off Package criteria:
Additionally:
Delivery of infrastructure and/or services that enable housing development and growth, with a focus on brownfield and infill development opportunities where those are available.
Supporting communities to transition to a sustainable and low-emissions economy, including by building resilience to climate change and natural hazards.
Delivery of infrastructure and/or services that support local place-making and improvements in community well-being.
Additionally:
Funding proposals must be for new initiatives or projects; or accelerate, scale-up and or enhance the quality of planned investment.
The duration of the Programme of Expenditure must be 5 years or less with a completion date on or before 30 June 2027.
The Total Maximum Amount Payable must be equal to or less than the Local Authority’s Crown Funding allocation.
Overall funding
Government funding
$500
m
Co-Funded
$404.3
m
Total funding
$904.3
m
Project status to date
Total projects
465
Projects underway*
327
70.3% of total projects
Project complete
125
26.9% of total projects