You have selected Council news from 9 March 2008.

Proposal caps water and rates increases to inflation
"The 5.1 per cent rates increase we are proposing is half of the 10.2 per cent forecast in the current 10-year-plan," says Finance and Strategy Committee chairperson, Councillor Doug Armstrong.

Have your say
The council wants to know what you think will be the key elements for the future of Auckland.

Central Connector to improve bus travel times
Travelling to and from the CBD is set to become quicker and easier for many people when construction of the Central Connector begins in April.

Auckland International Cultural Festival
The Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks (top left) talks with stallholders from the Congolese community at last month's Auckland International Cultural Festival.

Domain grandstand's entertaining history
If buildings could talk, the Auckland Domain's grandstand would have more than a century's worth of entertaining stories to tell.

Civil Defence test
New Zealand's biggest Civil Defence emergency management test is currently under way. A major exercise on 13 and 14 March will test how the nation would cope with a major volcanic eruption in Auckland.

Guiding the city
The council has begun the process of reviewing the Auckland City Consolidated Bylaw 1998. The bylaw is one of the city's guiding documents as it empowers the council to carry out much of the work required for people living and working in the city.

Music in Parks
Make the most of free, live music at your local park this month. There are some great concerts on offer in the council's Music in Parks season before the end of March.

Active tots
Stretch like a giraffe, leap like a frog and balance like a flamingo at Auckland Zoo's Active Movement Day on Thursday, 13 March from 10am to 1pm.