Pippa Coom, Author at Pippa Coom

Monthly Board report July 2016

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 1 June to 10 July 2016 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, and Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.

I was also acting chair for the week of 27 June when I attended the Local Chair’s Forum and the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting.

HIGHLIGHTS

City Rail Link Ground breaking

On Thursday 2 June Mayor Len Brown, Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy, Prime Minister John Key and Minister of Transport Simon Bridges officially marked the start of the construction for the City Rail Link. It was an explosive ground breaking event with special cupcakes and a fantastic flash mob dance sequence involving many of the CRL workers. More importantly it was an opportunity to acknowledge Mayor Len’s role (and the many people who supported him such as Cr Mike Lee) in pushing ahead with this vital transport project that has been 93 years in the making.

Support for Auckland Transport to develop a Street Tree Planting Policy

My notice of motion requesting Auckland Transport to develop a street tree planting policy was unanimously passed by the Waitematā Local Board at our June business meeting.

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson PJ Coom, seconded by Member CP Dempsey

That the Waitematā Local Board:

i) notes the benefits of urban street trees and the Auckland Plan, City Centre Master Plan and Waitematā Local Board Plan 2014 commitment to plant street trees;

ii) requests Auckland Transport in association with Auckland Council Parks develop:

a) A street tree planting policy; and

b) A strategy to meet the City Centre Masterplan street tree target of a 25% increase by 2021;

iii) requests Auckland Transport allocate budget (capex and opex) for funding new street trees as part of streetscape projects and footpath renewals;

iv) requests that this Notice of Motion is circulated to all Local Boards, the Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee, Auckland Development Committee, Auckland Transport Board and Chief Executive and Auckland Council Policy and Bylaws team

Hakanoa Street footpaths and kerbing

I’ve been following up on the concerns residents have raised about the kerb and channelling work currently underway by Auckland Transport’s contractors that involves removing the blue stone kerbing.

Auckland Transport has responded that:

the kerbs are being removed in places due to the disruptions of the tree roots, the tree roots are then unable to be cover over (as per the arborists direction) therefore AT is unable to replace like for like and has to put in concrete and pointing of which is coloured, this does give a piece meal effect/look but as we are not able to replace with any kerb type i.e. (blue stone ) our hands are tied

The only way to replace blue stone kerbing over tree roots is by putting in a bigger lintel over the roots, unfortunately the arborists has said we are not allow to do so in some places where the kerb is not replaced and there appears to be no trees, this is because there is 3 applications from residents for vehicle crossings

Due to the nature of the tree roots AT accepts that we will have on going issues with this street and will return regularly to try to fix

However the road appears to have been widened thereby pushing the kerb closer to the tree roots. There appears to be a mismatch of concrete and blue stone in big sections between trees not just around the trunk of the tree (as in the photo above). Large areas of blue stone kerbing stones appear to have disappeared without justification when similar streets have retained the traditional kerbing as part of an upgrade (eg Selbourne Street). The works have also resulted in damage to house frontages. I will continue to work on this with the residents until we receive a satisfactory response from Auckland Transport.

A further issue I am following up is the continuation of the kerbing work despite plans for on road greenway works at the exit of Hakanoa Reserve (photo above) and planned pedestrian/cycleway improvements at the intersection with Richmond Road.

Auckland Transport has not explained the duplication of works and the additional costs.

Renaming lower Khartoum Place

Consultation on the renaming of lower Khartoum Place with a suitable name associated with women’s suffrage, and in recognition of the Women’s Suffrage Centenary Memorial 1893-1993 ‘Women Achieve the Vote’ ended on 25 May.

From the 137 submissions there was strong support for the name change. Details of the feedback and a decision making report are on the Board’s agenda this month. It is looking positive that we will be a position to change the name in time for Suffrage Day in September.

The future of St Columba Church & parish

I have been following events at St Columba in Grey Lynn and attended two community hui held during June to discuss the future of the parish.

Following financial difficulties last year the Anglican Diocese commissioned a report to consider the options available to the parish. The report concluded with three redevelopment options that all involved demolishing the church and facilities on the site including the hall, community garden and labyrinth. This led a campaign to save St Columba involving the wider community.

On 1 July the following statement was issued by the the Anglican Bishops of Auckland and the Vicar of St Columba Grey Lynn.

Conversations are underway to assist the Parish of St Columba Grey Lynn to address some significant challenges that have developed over a long period of time.

Those challenges are related to finance and the ongoing costs of providing ministry in the community. They include the maintenance of buildings.

The Bishops and the diocesan leadership are working closely with the Vicar and the people of the Parish to seek a long-term solution.

The Diocese continues to have a commitment to the community of Grey Lynn. That commitment is being indicated in conversations that included a visit to the parish last weekend. The Diocese and the Parish are grateful for the support of the wider community.

Further conversations are anticipated with no decisions made at this point.

The Bishops and the Vicar will be able to comment further once there is a decision to announce

Waitematā Local Board Community Grants

The final Grants Committee was held on June to consider applications to the fourth and final round of the grants fund for 15/16. A total of $38,613.00 was available to distribute. The committee approved grants totally $29,791.00 to a range of community groups and organisations.

Waipapa stream planting

Annual planting day along the banks of the Waipapa Stream in Parnell was attended by Councillor Mike Lee, representatives from the Waitemata Local Board, Parnell Heritage, Parnell Community Committee, and local neighbours. It is great to see the many years of volunteer labour to re-habilitate the stream is paying off.

Mary Stewart, Senior Biosecurity Advisor, who has been coordinating the planting,is looking to work with Parnell Heritage and the Parnell Community Committee to engage with the surrounding residents to encourage best environmental practices nearby. The stream has greatly improved but practices continue that threaten the area (such as growing plants that are weeds in the apartments that are dropping into the stream and naturalising, dumping of garden waste, plant tags, pots, trimmings, old plants, dumping of rubbish and liquids (killing off plants) using driveway cleaners that kill trees).

Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Experience

In the July Our Auckland Waitematā Local Board members feature in a story regarding the Board funded project to create a safe and consistent pedestrian experience along Ponsonsby Road between Franklin Road and Williamson Ave (the project was consulted on in November 2015). As mentioned in the article the work was meant to have started in June.

Unfortunately Auckland Transport missed the construction deadline for the works on Lincoln and Collingwood Streets in the last financial year and now has a budget shortfall. We are working through the budget details with Auckland Transport and the consultation process to get the feedback on intersection furniture layouts, materials, and street furniture.

It is now expected that the construction will start late August/early September 2016.

Berm planting guidelines

The mystery of Auckland Transport’s berm planting guidelines continues. I’ve given regular updates in my report regarding progress on guidelines that were promised by Easter.

A resident was recently advised the following after she complained about the destruction of her berm garden.

In Central, we mow all berms if they exceed or are approaching a height of 200mm. Our mowing operators work in tandem, with the bulk of the berm mown with a ride-on mower, and then followed up shortly afterwards with weed-eaters to remove encroaching grasses from the edge of footpaths and the kerbside, and around trees and poles which the ride-on mowers cannot reach. Given the large number of berms to be mown across the city this actually provides better value for ratepayers than the stop-start method of one operator undertaking both activities.

Auckland Transport offered to put her on a no mow register which defeated the point as she had only grown a berm garden after being told she was responsible for it as she wasn’t physically able to mow the verge herself. The resident is now happy for AT to mow her berm again.

Quay Street Cycleway

On Friday 8 July the Minister of Transport, Hon Simon Bridges and Auckland Mayor Len Brown officially opened the Quay St protected cycleway on Auckland’s busiest cycle route.

At the time of writing my report the cycleway was still closed but attracting large numbers on a sunny weekend. With the Quay Street Cycleway another gap is connected in the central city cycle network.

Auckland Conversations : The future of housing in Auckland

Panel discussion hosted by Bernard Hickey.

With Auckland growing at a rate of 896 people a week how can everyone be guaranteed a home, either to buy or rent? Auckland clearly needs new housing options so the economic benefits of growth can be shared by all as we establish our place among the world’s most successful cities.

An excellent discussion about the current Auckland Housing crisis and what is needed to fix it. One big take away pushed by Bernard Hickey is that young people need to vote in the Local Government Election in September.

The full discussion can be viewed on you tube

Workshops and meetings

From 1 June until 10 July 2016 I attended:

Public Open Day hosted by Auckland Transport on the Ponsonby Residential Parking Zone at the Ponsonby Community Centre 1 June
Wellesley St/Learning Quarter Interim Business Case Workshop #1 on 3 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 7 June
Auckland Transport hui on the Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Experience on 8 June
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 9 June
Attended the last session of the Little Grocer Environment Court hearing on 9 June
Kai a te rangatira – Elected Members breakfast sessions with Dr Ella Henry on 13 June
Central Community Recycling Facility Meeting on 14 June with Albert- Eden and Puketapapa Local Boards re Next Phase of design and provision of service
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 14 June at the board office on 14 June
Engagement Framework meeting with the Board’s engagement adviser
Auckland Development Committee joint workshop with Local Board members on 15 June
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 15 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 16 June
Community portfolio visit to the Plunket rooms in Parnell
St Columba church community hui on 19 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 21 June
Community portfolio meeting on 22 June
Waitemata Local Board Community Grants committee meeting on 22 June
Meeting on 23 June to discuss the Achievements Report
Inner City Network meeting and presentation on the work of the CAB on 23 June
Catch up with Michael Richardson, GM K’rd business association on 24 June
Spray free community meeting hosted by Deborah Yates at the Grey Lynn Community Centre on 26 June
Community meeting with Assistant Bishop Jim White on 26 June to discuss the future of St Columba Church
Local Board Chairs Forum meeting on 27 June
Ponsonby Community Centre committee meeting on 27 June
Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting on 29 June
Ports Community Reference Group on 29 June
Local Board Briefing – Community Centre Levels of Service Review (Central Local Boards) on 30 June
Newton and Eden-Terrace Plan –Hui on 30 June
Changing Minds Community Housing Forum on 1 July at the Grey Lynn Community Centre
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 5 July
Franklin Road Improvement Project community liaison meeting hosting by Auckland Transport on 5 July

Events and functions

From 1 June until 10 July 2016 I attended:

The Refugee Experience – Storytelling through visual displays at AUT 1 June (photo right)
Countdown Supermarket Williamson Ave opening on 2 June
Bike Breakfast at Scarecrow on 2 June
City Rail Link ground-breaking on 2 June
Spray Free community meeting on 2 June
Auckland Transport’s cycling open day at La Cigale market on 4 June
Waitemata Youth Collective Clothes swap a the Central Library (photo of Alex Johnston at the Clothes Swap)
Queen’s Birthday celebrations at the Cloud on 4 June
Waipapa Stream planting day on 11 June
Auckland Theatre Company’s That Bloody Woman at Sky City Threatre (at the invitation of ATC) on 11 June
Auckland Transport’s Bike Market at the Cloud on 12 June
Grey Lynn Business Association networking drinks at the Malt Public House on 14 June
Newmarket Business Awards dinner at the Auckland War memorial museum on 17 July (at the invitation of NBA)
Otago Law Alumni breakfast at the Northern Club on 21 June
Feijoa Festival hosted by Splice at Chuffed Café on 22 June (Photo right: Guild of the Feijoa’s, Mik Smellie )
Auckland Conversations on 23 June The Future of Housing in Auckland
NZ Maritime Museum – Twin Exhibition Opening on 24 June
General Collective Market at Ponsonby Central on 25 June
The Minnie Street Community Day on 25 June
Cycle Action Network webinar presenter How to influence decision makers (together with Trevor Mallard and David Lee, Wellington City Councillor)
The Seven Stars of Matariki exhibition curated by Selwyn Vercoe at Studio One Toi Tu (photo right)
Auckland Speaks: Multi media performance event at Adult Education Inc
World Press Photo exhibition opening at Smith & Caughey on 1 July
Plastic Free July, Grey Lynn 2030 Waste Away group at Farro Fresh
Pecha Kucha: Special edition Auckland on the move at the Hopetoun Alpha on 5 July
Auckland Conversations 6 July
Attendance at the 2 Walk and Cycle Conference 6 – 8 July at the Rendevous Hotel (funded from the Local Board’s professional development budget). I will be reporting back on the conference in my August report
Vision Zero workshop presenter at the 2 Walk and Cycle Conference (together with Caroline Perry, Brake NZ, Patrick Morgan, Cycle Action Network and Abby Granbery, MR Cagney)
Opening of the Quay Street Cycleway by the Minister Simon Bridges on 8 July
Grey Lynn Park Greenways opening on Saturday 9 July
Te Wananga o Aotearoa Kapa Haka Super 12s at the Cloud
30th anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform at the Auckland Town Hall

A street tree planting policy for Auckland

Notice of Motion: Auckland Transport Street Tree Planting Policy

A notice of motion is a useful tool available to elected representatives to get action on an issue when the organisation fails to respond by other means. As lead of the transport porfolio for the Waitemata Local Board I have a particular interest in what goes on in the road corridor managed by Auckland Transport. I want our streets to be safe, vibrant, well connected and beautifully designed for everyone to enjoy. I’ve come to appreciate how much trees benefit our urban environment and can enhance every transport-led project (not to mention act to reduce GHG emissions).

However what I have come up against time and time again is the lack of a standard practice or policy to ensure Auckland Transport plants street trees. Many oppportunities are being missed to add trees to the city streetscape. Individual project managers are doing their best but the budget arrangements between AT and Auckland Council parks are a block to trees being incorporated into street designs and renewal projects. I’ve set out these issues and examples below by way of background to my Notice of Motion.

At the Waitemata Local Board meeting last night (14 June 2016) my recommendations were unanimously passed (seconded by Member Dempsey). We all recognise the huge value of street trees and would like to help Auckland Transport progress a tree planting policy for Auckland.

Recommendation

a) That the Notice of Motion be received.

b) That the Waitematā Local Board:

i) notes the benefits of urban street trees and the Auckland Plan, City Centre Master Plan and Waitematā Local Board Plan 2014 commitment to plant street trees;

ii) requests Auckland Transport in association with Auckland Council Parks develop:

A street tree planting policy; and
A strategy to meet the City Centre Masterplan street tree target of a 25% increase by 2021;

iii) requests Auckland Transport allocate budget (capex and opex) for funding new street trees as part of streetscape projects and footpath renewals;

iii) requests that this Notice of Motion is circulated to all Local Boards, the Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee, Auckland Development Committee, Auckland Transport Board and Chief Executive and Auckland Council Policy and Bylaws team

Background

Auckland Council, with the support of the Waitematā Local Board, has made a clear commitment to plant street trees in the urban environment.

Directive 8.2 of the Auckland Plan is to protect, enhance and increase Auckland’s green infrastructure networks. Auckland Council is committed to increasing the number of trees on reserves and streets. Council has committed to valuing natural heritage and ‘greening’ Auckland’s expanding network of open public spaces which provides for a more attractive city, while reducing GHG emissions and improving community resilience to the effects of climate change and resource scarcity and by supporting local food production.

As outlined in the Waitematā Local Board Plan, the board supports “increasing the number of native plants and trees in our parks and streets to help restore biodiversity” (Local Board Plan 2014, page 32).

In the Becoming a Local Carbon Community Action Plan (August 2015) we have committed to an Action Area of Enhancing the Urban Forest and Biodiversity.

As part of the Urban Forest Mapping Project Report for Waitematā we committed $2500 to draw up a tree inventory and to collect data in order to analyse the urban forest layer in the local board area. This work will assist us in assessing the need and timing for the replacement of trees.

In February 2016 the City Centre Masterplan targets were reviewed and revised targets approved by the Auckland Development Committee. The Local Board supports Outcome 8: An exceptional natural environment and leading environmental performer and the revised target of increasing streets trees in the city centre by 25% by 2021.

Street trees provide a range of benefits in the urban environment including:[1]

Improve pedestrian safety by slowing traffic
Good for business by increasing foot traffic in town centres
Reduce crime
Improve the health and wellbeing of neighbourhoods by increasing the attractiveness and security of walking
Reduce the need for drainage infrastructure
Provide shade
Provide oxygen and sequester carbon

In the photo left Pohutukawa trees on Great North Road saved from road widening with the support of the Waitematā Local Board for future generations to enjoy.

Auckland Transport is responsible for planting trees in the road corridor on behalf of Auckland Council. The responsibility for the ongoing care and maintenance of streets sits with Auckland Council Parks.

Despite the clear benefits of street trees and the Auckland Council commitment to increase street trees, Auckland Transport doesn’t have a policy to ensure street trees are planted in the urban environment. Auckland Transport also doesn’t have a strategy to meet the City Centre Masterplan street tree target. The responsibility to consider the addition of street trees is left with individual project managers on a case-by-case basis.

Auckland Transport has confirmed that street trees will only be included in a project if a specific budget is identified for the planting and for the ongoing water/maintenance cost. If there is no budget for ongoing maintenance (for at least 1 year) Auckland Council Parks will not agree to take on the responsibility for new trees.

Auckland Council Parks have provided the following response:[2]

Parks advocate for the inclusion of new tree assets in the road corridor where private development impacts on public open space and where AT is delivering renewals and streetscape upgrades. However, Parks only plays an advisory role (ie we are asked to comment on designs) in the majority of instances. If council is to deliver positive outcomes at all opportunity Auckland Transport and the consenting arm of council need to incorporate conditions around additional tree planting and which for the following reasons may be difficult to do or will require additional funding:

New tree planting in the road corridor or within public open space is not a requirement of private development and there are no rules requiring resource consent applicants to plant anything unless they are seeking approval to remove existing vegetation or regulatory consider there are adverse visual effects from the development that need mitigating
Footpath renewal budgets do not come with additional budget to plant new trees.
Tree planter boxes, or in ground planters, can only be funded by new projects through CAPEX and Community Facilities only accept them from a maintenance perspective when there are funds put aside for their ongoing maintenance. The same would apply to private development projects in the road corridor / public open space.

Parks will of course continue to advocate, with the relevant stakeholders and partners, for the urban forest and support tree planting wherever it is practical (ie accounting for in ground services, footpath widths, AT design requirements etc), but local board involvement may help provide a more focused approach across the relevant departments / organisations either by escalation or a board workshop to which key officers / managers from Parks (Community Services and Facilities), AT and regulatory are invited.

Currently, the only two funding sources that have been identified to cover the additional consequential opex costs associated with a new street trees (or planters) are either that it is Auckland Transport provided or, if the project was initiated by the Local Board, Locally Driven Initiative (LDI) funded.

The Local Board should not have to fund maintenance costs for new street trees that are associated with non-Board projects. As an Auckland-wide commitment, new street trees should be funded as an asset from a governing body controlled budget.

The following examples illustrate the various situations in which Auckland Transport is failing to take up opportunities to plant street trees.

Graham Street footpath renewal

Footpath maintenance and footpath renewals

The footpaths on Graham Street were recently renewed on a like-for-like basis following completion of a new development. The Local Board was not informed in advance and no consideration was given to the inclusion of street trees.

Streetscape upgrades or footpath works associated with private developments

Works associated with the new Countdown development on Williamson Ave included street trees and the closing of Rose Road to create a pedestrian plaza. Unfortunately, only the street trees on the southern side of Williamson Ave alongside the supermarket were included in the resource consent conditions. With the agreement of Auckland Transport, Countdown contractor re-configured Rose Road with an expanded footpath but no steps were taken to include trees (photo right).

Since this issue was raised by the Local Board, Auckland Transport agreed in March 2016 to include three new tree pits. These tree pits will now have to be retrospectively installed into the footpath at Auckland Transport’s expense.

New streetscape upgrades

When Auckland Transport undertook the upgrade of the Scotland Street/College Hill intersection as a safety project, the Local Board requested that the project include a street tree or appropriate greening.

Auckland Transport supported a planter and had funds to pay for it but Auckland Council Parks did not support it because of the lack of funding for the ongoing maintenance.

Auckland Council Parks supported a street tree but Auckland Transport was not willing to include a tree pit in the design because of underground utilities.

Since the photo left was taken two car parks have been reinstated but the Board is still waiting for a resolution with regards to the inclusion of some kind of greening.

[1] Burden, D., Walkable Comunities, Inc., Glatting Jackson. (2006) Urban Street Trees: 22 Benefits, Specific Applications. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/22_benefits_208084_7.pdf

[2] Email from David Barker | Environment and Programmes, Parks, Community Services.

Related reading

Transport benefits of street trees

In Praise of City Trees – Patrick Reynolds

Parking update – the good, the bad and the ugly

First the good news:

As soon as Auckland Transport got underway in early April with consultation on the Ponsonby Paid Parking Zone Ponsonby residents raised concerns about the impact on residential streets. Auckland Transport reacted almost immediately with a decision to fast track the consultation on the Ponsonby Residential Parking Zone so that it and the Ponsonby paid zone can be implemented together (following the implementation of the Freemans Bay residential parking zone now confirmed for 1 August).

Auckland Transport also advised that they are still intending to use Licence Plate Recognition camera enforcement in the residential parking zones. This should allow them to provide an effective compliance monitoring without increasing staff numbers. (photo – Auckland Transport’s parking open day at Studio One)

More good news – we now have visitor bike parking installed at our new Local Board office on Swanson Street.

And more- Auckland Transport has confirmed that bike parking will be included in the design of new bus stops at Fanshawe Street by Victoria Park. This follows a saga over many years to get bike stands put in place for people commuting to the North Shore.

Four stands suddenly appeared a few months ago and then three of those stands disappeared. No one in Auckland Transport would take responsibility and the response from the bus team was that bike parking was not needed.

Fortunately we got there in the end with assistance from the parks portfolio. (Photo above – remaining one bike stand that is about to be replaced)

The bad – footpath parking

I have raised with Auckland Transport the issue of increased parking on the footpath in the commercial areas of Ponsonby and Grey Lynn.

It is particularly prolific at the Ponsonby Rd end of Williamson Ave. Auckland Transport is unfortunately not helping by undertaking footpath renewals & consenting traffic plans for developments that add big expanses of inviting concrete for parking rather than creating a pleasant walking environment (for example by including tree pits and greening ). It is likely to get worse once the Ponsonby paid parking zone and residential scheme is in place.

I have received the following response from the parking team at Auckland Transport:

I have discussed this with our Compliance Manager and we will ensure parking officers are looking out for illegal footpath parking in Ponsonby. We have three enforcement areas along Ponsonby Road which are covered by three officers. In the weekends this drops to two officers across the same area. We will look at whether we need to commit some additional resources in this area, especially in light of increased coverage of restrictions.

In terms of street design, AT now has the Transport Design Manual which provides design standards of transport assets including footpaths. I have raised your concerns with the owner of the Transport Design Manual.

We will be approaching the Ministry of Transport later this year regarding increasing overstay infringement fines and I will raise the issue of footpath parking fines.

The ugly – car transporters putting people at risk

Auckland Transport’s response (6 April) to the ongoing issue of car transporters unlawfully unloading on Great North Road. This is a particular concern for parents at Newton School.

I have discussed this at length with our head of parking compliance and if an officer is present, that officer will undertake an assessment on a case by case basis to determine a suitable and safe means to disembark the vehicles at the location the transporter sits or an agreed nearby location. Issuance is one tool that we use and we are very conscious of the Health & Safety risks posed by these transporters.

The more permanent solution instigated in response to perceived victimisation based on infringement issuance was undertaken in September/October in consultation with a number of the Car yards on Great North Road and one of the Transporter firms. This more permanent solution involves the creation of another Loading Zone on Great North Road that provides a solid and safe option to support transporter deliveries.

The Loading zone implementation is in consultation now and we can discuss that further as required.

Unfortunately anyone who is following Tina Plunkett on twitter will know this dangerous practice continues on a daily basis.

Monthly board report May 2016

My monthly board report covering activities from 1 April until 1 May 2016. Included on the agenda for the Waitemata Local Board meeting on 10 May 2016.

Highlights

Annual budget 2016/17

An extraordinary meeting of the Board was held on 26 April to confirm the Board’s position on Local Development Initiatives budgets, our advocacy positions and regional annual plan issues.

Included in the report for the meeting was an overview of 147 submissions received for Waitematā. The board received clear support for the priority projects we wish to take forward in 16/17.

Franklin Road

Following a community liaison group meeting in early April Auckland Transport released the latest designs for the upgrade of Franklin Road.

Features include:

Improved pavement surface, footpaths and drainage.
Protecting tree root zones from vehicles by redefining the berm area.
Providing for the safe movement of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
Retaining as much street parking as possible.
Working with utility providers to minimise disruption and deliver an integrated programme of works.
Improving street lighting – suspended lighting is currently proposed

I am particularly pleased to see included in the design raised tables on all the side streets. This is a pedestrian safety outcome the Local Board has advocated for since the beginning of the project.

A final round of engagement was undertaken on the detailed design by Auckland Transport until 10 May. Stage 1 (utility upgrade) physical works is due to start in May. Stage 2 works will start in October/November. The current completion date is mid to late 2017

Renaming lower Khartoum Place

In December 2015 I brought a Notice of Motion to the Board proposing the renaming of lower Khartoum Place with a suitable name associated with women’s suffrage, and in recognition of the Women’s Suffrage Centenary Memorial 1893-1993 ‘Women Achieve the Vote’.

The proposal received Board support opening the way for a name changing process to commence. Consultation on naming options is taking place until 25 May.

Path widening in Grey Lynn park for the new Greenways route

Greenways Design Guide

Work is underway on a design guide which covers both on-street and parks and open space greenways that is intended to become the key resource for the implementation of greenways across Auckland.

The feedback I collated in Attachment A was provided on behalf of the Waitematā Local Board to the Greenways team.

Photo right: progress on the widening of the Greenways route through Grey Lynn Park

Signage trial

As part of a Regional signage project Auckland Transport is trialling various signage elements in four precincts. Signage being trialled includes street signs, pedestrian signs, information hubs (large and small), cycling signs and routes, and public transport signage.

It is good to see the trial at Wynyard Quarter with signage designed for tourists and locals to be able to navigate around central Auckland attractions. There are lots of positive features included including te reo Maori. However as the Transport portfolio has previously highlighting we still consider the background colour is too dark, the map is not useful without showing where it fits into a wider area and the descriptions are too subjective. The map also shows Wellesley Street as a walking route through to the Domain – a long standing issue we have raised with ATEED and Auckland Transport.

Feedback is open until 20 May 2016

Weona – Westmere Walkway

Phase one of the Weona –Westmere walkway is now open and phase two is well underway. It is now possible to take a scenic walk along coast line that has not been accessible for over 80 years. After visiting on beautiful day in April I felt very proud that the Board (with Shale leading the way) has stuck with this project for the last 5 years. I think locals and visitors will be very impressed when the 1.4km route is fully opened in September.

Maungawhau/Mt Eden is glorious to visit now the maunga is free of vehicles

Mt Eden is not in Waitematā but I give thanks to all those who worked so hard over the last 10 years to get cars off the summit. On a recent visit at sunset it was great to see how many people were enjoying the easy walk to the top.

Berm planting guidelines

The Board gave feedback on Auckland Transport’s draft guidelines in September last year. We are still waiting on the final draft that was promised before Easter.

In the meantime I am enjoying all the neighbourly interactions that occur whenever I am outside looking after my (non-complying) berm.

Parking – the good, the bad and the ugly

I have been following up on a number of parking issues and concerns outlined in Attachment B.

Auckland Conversations – The value of well designed cities

Joe Minicozzi, Principal of Urban3 presented, in a very entertaining way, the research that illustrates the benefits of urban density, heritage conservation and mixed-use developments. These have an economic impact that lead to creating sustainable and vibrant cities.

The image right shows the maths of land value plus improved value (CV) applied to Auckland (by Kent Lamberg from MR Cagney).

Workshops and meetings

From 1 April until 1 May 2016 I attended:

Ponsonby Community Centre Board meeting on 4 April
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 5 April
Communications catch up on 5 April
Franklin Road Community Liaison Meeting on 5 April
Ponsonby Road paid parking zone consultation open day at Studio One on 6 April
Parks portfolio meeting on 7 April
Elected member professional development focus group meeting on 8 April
Albert Park safety meeting on 8 April organised by Hon Nikki Kaye with Superintendent Richard Chambers, Inspector Jill Rogers, Area Commander for Auckland City Central and Gary Davy from the Police, Naisi Chen (Chinese NZ Students Association) and Will Matthews (President AUSA) and Auckland Council representatives
Youth Voice Phase 2 Cluster Workshops on 9 April at Auckland Central Library to explore youth-led models options under an empowered communities approach
Richmond Rovers strategic plan community meeting on 11 April
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 12 April in Parnell
Waitematā Local Board hui with iwi regarding Khartoum Place name change
Elected member development programme – political advisory group meeting on 13 April
Stakeholder meeting regarding the Khartoum Place name change on 13 April
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 14 April
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 14 April
Wynyard Quarter neighbours forum on 19 April
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 19 April
Ponsonby Business Association meeting for PBA members with Auckland Transport’s parking team on 19 April
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 20 April
Meeting to discuss the Board’s transport advocacy positions on 21 April
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 26 April
Presentation from Fresh Concept on Lower Queen St Activation Plans
Waitematā Local Board Extraordinary Meeting on 26 April – Annual Budget information
Auckland Transport open day on the wayfinding signage trial at Wynyard Quarter
Community portfolio meeting on 27 April
Inner City Network meeting and presentation on accessibility

Events and functions

From 1 April until 1 May 2016 I attended:

Auckland Theatre Company’s You can always hand them back at Sky Theatre on 2 April (at the invitation of ATC)
Bike breakfast at Scarecrow café on 6 April
Auckland Conversations on 7 April
Opening of the SKIP/ Women’s Centre Francis Reserve (photo right) community garden on 9 April
Jam on Toast at the Grey Lynn Community Centre 10 April
Japan Day at the Cloud opening reception on 10 April
Kokako turns 15 celebratory event on 15 April
Welcome morning tea for the new general manager of the K’rd Business Association on 15 April
Farewell to Charlotte from Splice on 15 April
Between Tides at Westmere beach on 17 April
Anzac day service hosted by the Grey Lynn RSC
Open Streets K’rd on 1 May (photo below with Margaret Lewis from the K’rd Business Assocation and Kathryn King, Auckland Transport’s walking and cycling manager who hosted the event). Congratulations to everyone involved in putting on such a fantastic event. K’rd was full of people enjoying the vehicle – free space.

Monthly board report April 2016

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 1 March – 31 March 2016 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, and Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Local Board “Democracy shop” – open for business

On 2 March the Board officially moved into our new offices at 52 Swanson Street just off St Patricks Square. The offices are a huge improvement on our location at Graham St and provide a much better working environment for our hard working Local Board services team (photo right) and space for board members. I like to think we now have a “democracy shop”- a front door to our community that is easily accessible and welcoming.

Community Grants

The Waitematā Local Board grants committee met on March to discuss the grant application to the Quick Response Fund and the Local Grant fund. In total we had $70,330.58 remaining to distribute from the 15/16 financial year with one Quick Response Grant round to go (currently open until 6 May for grants up to $3000).

The grants committee minutes and recommendations for the Local Grant Fund are attached to the April agenda.

Community consultation – Annual budget 2016/17

Consultation on the Council’s Annual Budget 2016/17 and local board priorities took place until 24 March. Community meetings in Ponsonby, Grafton Parnell and Grey Lynn were well attended but the official Have your Say consultation meeting at the Town Hall attracted only 4 members of the public. The low attendance may partly be due to the number of events on that evening but I think the problem is mainly with the format which is very unsatisfactory for groups that wish to present feedback. The Board’s public hearings style meeting held on 10 March provided a much more effective forum for presentations to the Board.

Cycling improvements consultation

During March Auckland Transport consulted on the network of cycling routes in the inner west area (map right) and asked for feedback on cycling improvements to make riding a bike for local trips safer. The feedback period was extended to 5 April.

I attended the consultation events in Grey Lynn Park on 13 and 20 March.

This is the first time that Auckland Transport has consulted on the actual routes that make up the Auckland Cycle Network and support the routes in our Greenways plan.

Te ara i whiti / Lightpath

The electronic counter doesn’t lie! The aphorism “Build it and they will come” proved ever so true when it comes to the amazing magenta adventure.

Christopher and I were very happy to celebrate the 100,000 trip over Lightpath since opening day on 3 December 2015. Almost 1,000 people a day are riding the route.

There are also huge numbers of people enjoying Lightpath on foot at all times of day and night. Unfortunately the walking counter has not been working so Auckland Transport is unable to provide exact data at the moment.

Lantern Festival – transport planning

The Lantern Festival, held for the first time in the Domain in February was the first Auckland Council funded evening event to promote active transport. The valet parking provided at the venue was a big success working to encourage people to give cycling ago – many bringing along children. However the overall communication and coordination regarding transport to the event was not well managed by Auckland Transport and there were a lot of lessons for next time. I have sent the following email to the CEO of ATEED and the Manager Event Design who responded that it would be included in the mix for their debrief.

Congratulations to everyone involved on the success of the Lantern Festival (if the numbers attending are the best indicator of success!). I really enjoyed attending on the Friday and Sunday evenings.

I’m sure there will be a big exercise underway with Auckland Transport to look at the transport management plan and the messaging for the event next year. I just wanted to give some feedback while it is still fresh in my mind:

Although the map handed out on site was not intended as a travel map it was clearly being used for that purpose – it needs to clearly show all the walking and cycling connections (especially as people were arriving up hill at Grafton Station and able to walk down hill back to town but as previously mentioned the map showed the Domain as an island )
Creating a “Lantern Trail” in the same style as the RWC Fan trail (suggested route from Britomart via Beach Road, Churchhill street, and up Lovers Lane) – a few people have mentioned this idea to me
Improve the lighting on Lovers Lane – if felt too dark to use safety but is the logical connection to the Domain from the city
Close Grafton bridge to cars and only open to buses and ambulances – implement bus priority lanes
Provide wayfinding signage from all directions but particularly for those walking from different points in the city centre (the Wellesley St – Grafton Gully route particularly needs signage as previously mentioned but hopefully by next year AT will have finally got that sorted)
The valet bike parking was brilliant and I loved using it (of course!) but difficult to access so lots of bikes were parked all over the place (there was no signage to the bike parking)
Security guards were directing cyclists to dismount but did not know where the bike parking was located
Online information needs to spell out all the transport options including the location of car parks (I estimate there are at least 15 car parks in walking distance to the Domain but the online information just said “ the Domain is a 10 minute drive from the city centre” !!!).
Wayfinding signage needed throughout the entire site

Auckland Conversations: Climate Solutions: Cities in Action, Mark Watts, Executive Director C40 cities

Auckland has become the newest member of C40, a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. C40 supports cities to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful, measurable and sustainable action on climate change. Auckland will be working with more than 80 of the world’s greatest cities, representing more than 550 million people and one quarter of the global economy. Sharing research, experiences and ideas, C40 is helping to find and implement innovative solutions to urban climate issues such as transport, energy, buildings and waste.

At the Auckland Conversations on 15 March Mark Watts talked about the initiatives that cities around the globe are putting in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks.

Cities are central to delivering greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets (Auckland’s target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 2040) through a focus on land use planning, transport and buildings. Every city needs to aim to get to 1.5 tons per person per year if we have any chance of avoiding dangerous levels of climate warming. Auckland is currently at about 7.2 tons (US cities are on 16.5 tpp).

The good news from Mark is that we know what we need to do create successful, prosperous, healthy cities. No city will be successful in the future unless it is low carbon. He made comments in relation to three key areas:

1 Compact City

Sprawl is the enemy, density is the friend. 6% of growth in energy consumption is urban sprawl. For example Copenhagen spends 4% of GDP on transport whereas Houston spends 16%.

2. Connected Cities

‘Return of the bike the most important tool in urban transport’

There are now 700 cities with bike share. 40% cycle to work in one of the richest cities.

Benefits from health care cost savings, cuts in air pollution and economic benefits

C40 consider that road pricing is inevitable in most big cities. In London as a result most people are not driving. Stockholm has seen a 35% fall in emissions and 40% growth

3. Co-ordinated cities

Successful cities will run on data. Benchmarking is a catalyst to change. For example in NYC they are looking for a 30% GHG emissions reduction from buildings between 2005 and 2017.

Mark ended by asking what if Mayor’s ruled the world? Political leadership is being shown by mayors from around the world.

The Waitematā Local Board received a special mention at the event for having a Low Carbon Community Action plan and a low carbon community network.

Greenways

Local board members came together on 31 March to hear an update on the work that has been underway to progress Greenways across Auckland. Simon Randall, Chair, Maungakiekie- Tamaki Local Board is the local board representative on a Greenways Leadership group set up by Stephen Town CEO, Auckland Council. That group has been looking at how best to deliver a connected Auckland through active transport.

We heard about the work underway to create a Greenways identity, an overview of a Greenways Design Guide and the potential level of investment in Greenways.

It is great to see the enthusiasm for Greenways from Local Boards and the commitment to making Auckland the world’s best city for cycling where Greenways are embraced.

In Waitematā we have recently made progress on the Grey Lynn greenways route with the widening of the Hakanoa reserve pathway (photo right). The design of the on-road sections of the route is in the process of being finalised by Auckland Transport and will shortly be available for public input.

Neighbours Day in the City Centre

Member Deborah Yates and I, with officer support, organised a Waitematā Local Board display at the Neighbours Day event in Freyberg Square and Ellen Melville Hall as part of Neighbours Day Aotearoa. The event was aimed at inner city residents and involved a wide range of community organisations. Thanks to Splice, ADCOSS, Heart of the City and everyone who made the celebration of the city centre happen.

Ponsonby Road improvements

Fresh Kermit! New feeder lanes and advance stop boxes on Ponsonby Road included as part of recent re-surfacing at the Board’s request are small but significant safety improvements for all road users.

Update on the Ponsonby Road pedestrian experience is reported on our agenda by Auckland Transport.

IPENZ transportation group conference

I attended the IPENZ transportation group conference 7-9 March with funding from the Board’s professional development budget.

The report back from the conference is attached to my monthly report (item 22).

Workshops and meetings

From 1 March – 31 March 2016 I attended:

Waitematā Local Board workshop on 1 March
Tamaki Drive Cycle Route Preferred Option/s Workshop hosted by Beca on behalf of Auckland Transport on 2 March
Have your say event for the Annual Budget 16/17 consultation at the Auckland Town Hall on 3 March
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 8 March at our new offices on Swanson St
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 9 March
Waitematā Local Board Annual Budget 2016/17 Hearing on 10 March
Met with Mik Smellie from the Residents Advisory Group on 10 March
Grafton Residents Association meeting to discuss the Annual budget and local board priorities on 14 March
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 15 March
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 16 March
ADCOSS Forum on 17 March at Western Springs Community Hall: Towards an Age-friendly Auckland: The missing links
Elected Members Professional Development Programme – Social Media Forum on 18 March
Local Board Briefing on the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 on 18 March
Elected Members – Local Government Excellence Programme LGNZ Briefing on 21 March
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 22 March
Monthly media catch up on 22 March
Meeting organised by Auckland Transport to discuss the “Open Streets” event planned for 1 May on K’rd
Community portfolio meeting on 24 March
Grants Committee meeting on 30 March
Meeting to discuss the Ponsonby Cruising Club lease with Panuku Development Agency
Newmarket Lanesways project working group meeting to discuss progress to date
Local Board briefing on the Greenways project on 31 March

Events and functions

From 1 March – 31 March 2016 I attended:

Waitematā Local Board – official office opening on 2 March
IPENZ transportation group conference 7 -9 March (see Attachment A for my conference report back)
Auckland Arts Festival shows at the invitation of the AAF Trust (I have declared these tickets as gifts in accordance with Auckland Council’s code of practice)
- Te Po
- Cucina dell’ arte
- St James Play: Part 1 (photo right at the opening night reception with Steven Miller who plays James I)
- Carabosse Fire Garden at the Auckland Domain
Little Day Out at the Mt Eden Village Centre on 5 March
Music in Parks at Western Park (free music in parks event) on 5 March
Pasifika Festival Saturday 12 March
Ponsonby Market Day on Saturday 12 March
White Nights. Making Light performance by the Velociteers on Lightpath on 12 March
St Patricks Day parade along Ponsonby Road on 13 March
Learn to ride and consultation event in Grey Lynn Park on 13 and 20 March
Auckland Conversations on 15 March
One Planet Living launch at Unitec on 17 March
Grey Lynn school Aloha night on 18 March
Neighbours day city centre event on 19 March
David Haigh’s farewell from the Grafton Residents Association
Member of the official party at the Citizenship ceremony in the Town Hall on 22 March
Official opening of the Auckland Zoo’s new African savannah development by the Prime Minister, the Rt.Hon. John Key on 24 March 2016 (photo right)
Celebration of Lightpath with free ice cream on 30 March provided by Auckland Transport for the 100,000 trip since opening day on 3 December
Regional Facilities hosted local board function at Auckland Zoo on 30 March

Free water in Waitematā

Icecream to celebrate the 100,000 trip made on Lightpath

At the icecream celebration for the 100,000 trip on Lightpath on 30 March a rider thanked me for the drinking station the Waitematā Local Board installed nearby on the Nelson St cyclepath. He told me he enjoys using all three of the water stops we’ve put in on cycle routes (the other 2 are on the NW cycleway and on Carlton Gore Road).

This friendly feedback reminded me that one of the things I really appreciate about Local Boards is the ability to get stuff done especially projects that may be small but have the potential to have a significant impact.

Across the Waitematā area the Local Board has been quietly installing drinking stations and fountains in convenient locations. The first drinking station went in to West Lynn with legacy funding from the Western Bays Community Board (the Community Board endorsed Grey Lynn 2030’s proposal for a “village pump” triggered by the community screening of Tapped the Movie for World Water Day in 2010). The Local Board from an early stage committed budget to drinking stations in parks, reserves and the street environment.

The next step is to get all the water drinking stations mapped so they are easy to find. I’d also like to see the initiative expanded so it becomes “Refill Auckland” modelled on Refill Bristol with the aim to make refilling your water bottle a cultural norm, with refill points on every street, via cafes, retailers, and businesses.

I’m a big fan of this project as it provides an alternative to expensive shop bought water, cuts down on plastic pollution and the need for expensive recycling and reduces exposure to unhealthy levels of BPA found in plastic drinking bottles. By providing access to fresh filtered tap water for residents and visitors when out and about there is no reason why Waitemata couldn’t become a plastic bottle-free area.

Intersection of Upper Queen Street and Ian McKinnon Drive

Monthly board report March 2016

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 1 February – 29 February 2016 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, and Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.

Portfolio Updates

Community Empowerment

Since October 2015 Auckland Council has been in the process of implementing an empowered communities approach to community development. The new operating model involves a shift from Council delivering community development activities, to using community-led development processes. The new approach requires Council’s operational practices to allow more people to participate and for budgets to be devolved to communities as much as possible.

The Board has been supportive of the change in approach and we welcomed our new Strategic Broker Shamila Unka at the end of last year. Shamila will be based part time at the Board’s new offices at 52 Swanson Street.

We have however been concerned to ensure a smooth transition and that none of the local board’s priorities are over looked in the new structure.

The leadership team of the new Community Empowerment Unit led by Christine Olsen met with the central area community development portfolio holders in early February and the whole Unit held a very informative Open Day for all elected representatives on 29 February

Community development work programme

Priorities of the community development portfolio for 2016 include:
Review and refresh of the Board’s accessibility plan
Support for Council’s Homeless Action Plan
Continuing the upkeep of Waitemata’s community facilities
Transitioning community centres to 3 yearly agreements
Supporting the work of the Waitematā Youth Collective and development of a city centre youth hub
Provision of temporary meeting spaces in the city centre during the Ellen Meville Hall upgrade period
Child Friendly City Accreditation
Supporting community empowerment projects such as the community- led design process for 254 Ponsonby Road

Community consultation – Annual budget 2016/17

The Council’s annual consultation on the budget for the following year got underway in mid-February. As part of the process the Board also seeks feedback on our local priorities and new proposals.

Waitematā Local Board key priorities outlined in the consultation material: Based on our 10-year budget, in 2016/2017 we plan to invest $11 million to renew and develop assets in your local board area and $23 million to maintain and operate these assets and provide other local initiatives. This includes:

renewing existing assets ($2.4 million)
completing stage two of Myers Park including the improved entranceway at Mayoral Drive and installation of a splash pad ($3.3 million)
completing the Weona-Westmere coastal walkway ($360,000)
re-developing Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall ($3.4 million)
commencing delivery of a streetscape improvement project from the agreed Newmarket Laneways Plan ($1.4 million)
delivering the new Fukuoka gardens in Western Springs park ($40,000)

It is proposed the following additional local priorities for 2016/2017 are funded through local discretionary budgets:

improve the pathways through Western Park and upgrade the Pt Resolution steps to concrete
install a new pathway through Symonds Street Cemetery to connect Karangahape Road to Grafton Gully cycleway
increase spend on low carbon initiatives to help Waitematā lower carbon use and become more energy-resilient including the installation of photovoltaics at Grey Lynn Community Centre
increase the budget for the annual Myers Park festival to provide an even better local event
investigate the feasibility of establishing a youth hub in the city centre
install a solar heating solution at Parnell Baths
continue to put children and young people first and achieve UNICEF Child Friendly City accreditation
support community-led development and place making such as the open space design for 254 Ponsonby Road and the development of a bicycle pump track at Grey Lynn Park

The Board is also considering allocating budget to change the service levels to increase maintenance of headstones and removal of graffiti at the historic Symonds Street Cemetery.

I’ve raised concerns with the regional consultation team about the poor level of communication to promote local board consultation events and the inaccessibility of the material online.

Fortunately we have a fantastic local board team who have been doing a great job on our behalf working alongside local community groups to arrange consultation events and opportunities to give feedback.

Due to a range of issues with promoting the Annual Budget 2016/17 consultation material the feedback period has been extended to 24 March. Link to the online feedback form

Transport

At our first transport portfolio meeting of the year we discussed a long list of updates with Auckland Transport representatives including:

Ponsonby Road pedestrian experience project: The proposals for improving Ponsonby Road for people walking were consulted on from from 16 November to 7 December 2015. In total, 129 feedback responses were received with a large majority expressing strong support for the project overall. The results and recommendations for next steps will be reported back on our April agenda.
Cycleway progress and implementation with Kathryn King, Manager of Walking & Cycling: AT plans to seek feedback in March from Western Bays residents on preferences for making the area more attractive for cycling. We raised the issue of the many outstanding small fixes to the existing cycle way network that we are concerned are getting forgotten with the focus on an extensive capital work programme. It was good to hear that many are underway such as contra- flows for cycling on one way streets including Crummer Road (first included in our Local Board Agreement 2011/12)
Quay Street update: The design for a two-way separated cycleway on Quay Street leading from Lower Hobson Street, past Princess Wharf to Plumer Street has been confirmed. Completion is expected in April 2016
CRL update: Options are being considered for closing the rail crossing on Porters Ave just off New North Road on the boundary of the Waitemata Local Board area. This has an impact on the residents and businesses of Albert – Eden.
Nelson Street parking: Auckland Transport consulted the transport portfolio before removing the parking on Nelson St between Wellesley and Victoria Streets alongside
Parking removed from Nelson St

the cycleway (photo right). We didn’t object to the removal as occupancy was low and the poor layout was causing a lot of confusion for drivers. However we did ask AT to actively work with the NZ Police to enforce the speed limit on Nelson St (the parked cars had the benefit of slowing down the traffic).
Private Planting in Road Corridor: AT’s long awaited berm planting guidelines are expected to come back to Local Boards for comment shortly
Parking Fund Reserve: Approximately $100k is available to fund car parking. The transport portfolio has asked that a proposal to leverage this fund to develop sites that are in Council ownership while retaining off street car parking be investigated (for example the car park on Pompellier Tce)
Local Board Transport Capital Fund has $216k available that needs to be allocated by October. The Board is exploring a number of options with Auckland Transport

The Auckland Transport monthly report on our agenda provides updates in more detail.

Street Trees

The gutting of tree protection regulations by the government has highlighted the importance of street trees for providing the many benefits the city receives from a rich green canopy. Unfortunately Auckland Transport has generally been taking a “business as usual” approach to footpath upgrades and renewals so that opportunities to plant trees have been overlooked.

Part of the problem appears to be an institutional resistance to including trees because of the additional operational costs.

Five recent projects have exposed the need for Auckland Transport and Auckland Council to urgently agree on the policy and procedure for the planting of street trees:

Graham Street footpath renewal

Rose Road road works as a result of the new Countdown supermarket on Williamson Ave – footpath extended without tree pits (photo top)
Graham St footpath renewal – footpaths reinstated without tree pits (photo below)
Scotland Street upgrade – plans for greening the footpath build-out are still in discussion
Parnell Rise/ Parnell Road upgrade – plans for greening the footpath build-out are still in discussion. A tree pit was not originally included in the design because of underground utilities
The Dylan apartment development on the corner of Great North Road and Harcourt St- footpaths reinstated without tree pits

One piece of good news is that following our advocacy and a series of complaints Auckland Transport and the Council’s arborist were able to agree on the inclusion of 4 new tree pits on the footpath between Rose Road and Williamson Ave (issues regarding the development contribution for undertaking the remedial work and how a giant area of concrete was installed without trees in the first place are still to be resolved).

City Centre Master plan review – first steps towards Vision Zero Auckland

The City Centre Master Plan (CCMP) was published in 2012 with nine outcomes and 36 targets. The Waitematā Local Board contributed to a review of the plan leading to new outcomes and targets being signed off by the Auckland Development Committee on 11 February 2016.

I am really pleased that following a request from the Board Outcome 7 has had the words ‘moving towards zero pedestrian deaths or serious injuries as a result of vehicle collisions’ added. This is a significant contribution to road safety and is the first time the principle of “Vision Zero” has been adopted under Auckland Council.

LGNZ meeting

I attended the Zone 1 meeting in Whangarei on 26 February for Local Government NZ delegates in the Auckland and Northland area.

We received presentations from Malcolm Alexander, CEO of LGNZ and Ernst Zollner, Regional Director of NZTA.

An issue I brought up at the zone meeting was my disappointment and incredulity (shared by many elected representatives) that LGNZ has announced a conference programme with zero female presenters. It is also surprising that a conference on the theme of “place making” appears to offer so little for Local Board members. It highlights to me that LGNZ is still struggling to respond to Auckland’s governance arrangements that established local boards representing more people than Dunedin.

Workshops and meetings

From 1 February – 29 February 2016 I attended:

Waitematā Local Board workshop on 2 February
Meeting to discuss the Board’s participation in Neighbours Day
Auckland Transport meeting with representatives of Franklin Road residents to discuss the planning and timetable for the upgrade that is about to get underway
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 9 February in Grey Lynn
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 10 February
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 11 February
Draft domain master plan open day on 13 February (see Attachment A)
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 16 February
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 17 February
Community portfolio meeting on 18 February
Community Empowerment Unit and Local Board Central Cluster Portfolio Holder meeting on 18 February to meet the new leadership team of the Unit
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 23 February
Annual Budget 2016/17 consultation meetings:
Western Bays Community Group AGM and presentation
Grey Lynn Residents Association meeting
Parnell Community Committee meeting
Inner City Network meeting
Meeting to discuss the development of the Uptown Business Association brand on 24 February
Attended the Governing Body extraordinary meeting to discuss the “out of scope” Unitary Plan zoning proposals
Richmond Rovers Community meeting on 24 February to discuss the club’s alcohol licence with local residents
BID policy workshop with representatives from Ponsonby Business Association and Parnell Inc
LGNZ zone 1 meeting on 26 February in Whangarei
Community Empowerment Unit’s open day on 29 February

Events and functions

From 1 February – 29 February 2016 I attended:

Associates breakfast – urban design, cycling and transport discussion on 4 February at Scarecrow café
Joined the anti- TPPA protest on 4 February
Attended the Waitangi celebrations at Takaparawha as a zero waste volunteer with Christopher Dempsey on 6 February
Go by Bike Day pit stop on the Lightpath on 9 February
Phantom of the Opera at the invitation of ATEED on 11 February
The Book of Everything at Q Theatre at the invitation of Silo Theatre on 12 February
Rock in Grey Lynn Park on 13 February (free music in parks event)
Polo at Sky Theatre at the invitation of the Auckland Theatre Company
The Big Gay Out in Coyle Park on 14 February
Elected representatives and Local Board staff lunch time ride for the Auckland Bike Challenge on 18 February
Auckland Philharmonia Grand Opening concert at the Auckland Town Hall on 18 February at the invitation of APO
Lantern Festival opening function at Auckland Museum on 19 February
Opening of Parnell Trust’s new offices in the Jubilee building, Parnell on 23 February
Grey Lynn Business Association networking drinks
Blessing for the Board’s new offices at 52 Swanson Street on 25 February
The Board supported Myers Park Medley on 27 February
Official party at the Citizenship ceremony in the Town Hall on 29 February

Members of the Waitemata Local Board and Local Services staff on a lunchtime bike ride for the Auckland Bike Challenge

A people friendly premier park for Auckland

Draft plan display at the Auckland Lantern Festival

The grand Auckland War Memorial Museum sits in the city’s premier park, the Auckland Domain. You would expect the Domain and Museum to be easily accessible, a pleasure to visit on foot or bike with strong transport connections for tourists and locals. I therefore find it almost shocking the extent to which vehicles are prioritised to the detriment of everything else. Footpaths are missing on all the main roads, there is no legible walking access to the entrance of the museum and the Domain is severed from the city centre by a hostile motorway. Tourists are left bewildered and lost when they try to walk from the city centre to the Museum.

I’ve heard the Domain described as Auckland’s second biggest car park. This might make it a great place to drive to and through but also works to diminish the experience for everyone who just wants to visit. It also encourages a huge amount of non-Domain visitor parking (up to 75% of parking is taken up by commuters )

Grandstand Road (currently closed to traffic and parking)

Many of the issues are highlighted in this Transport Blog post –Why can’t you walk to the Domain (illuminated further in all the comments)

I think part of the reason why the Domain is so lacking in safe walking and cycling connections is due to the fact Auckland City was historically governed by people who predominantly lived in the Eastern suburbs and enjoyed the Domain as a thoroughfare by car to the city centre or a place to drive to for sporting activities. They would not have seen any political mileage in championing a more people- friendly Domain.

Things started to improve after the formation of the Super City in 2010. With the support of the Waitematā Local Board, Auckland Transport installed speed tables, a down hill cycle lane and improved crossing points on Domain Drive as part of package of safety initiatives. The Board adopted the following advocacy position in 2012:

Auckland Transport to improve walking and cycling access to and around the Domain, while discouraging commuter parking use of the Domain through:
i) Implementation of a parking scheme for the Domain that works to discourage commuter parking (e.g. through pricing)
ii) Improving walking and cycling options
iii) Contribute to the development of a Masterplan for the Domain (to be led by Auckland Council).

The idea for a Domain masterplan progressed slowly due to the unique governance arrangements for the park that splits the decision making between the Governing body and Waitematā Local Board. Once a joint Auckland Domain committee was established in February 2015 (Chair, Shale Chambers, members Vernon Tava and Rob Thomas represent the Board on the Committee) a draft plan was able to be finalised for public feedback.

The draft masterplan released in early February 2016, is a twenty-year aspiration for how the park can develop and consolidate its position as Auckland’s premier park. It responds to issues and pressure points as well as coordinating projects and work streams impacting the Auckland Domain.

I haven’t been directly involved with the development of the draft but I’m pleased to see a variety of proposals that will greatly improve the connections for all visitors to the Domain. The proposals will also improve access to those needing to drive and open up more parking for Domain users. Headlines on the draft have focused on the walking and cycling proposals but there are also a range of other initiatives in the draft that will contribute to making the Domain worthy of its premier park status.

A series of Council videos about the Domain are worth a watch.

Consulation is open until 24 March 2016. Feedback form online

Draft Domain Masterplan – Transport blog post

Auckland Domain to be more pedestrian friendly, Stuff

Auckland Domain development – roads to be closed, NZ Herald

Creating safe connections to Lightpath

[Update 11 February 2016: Auckland Transport and NZTA have provided updates in response to our December Board resolution – AT’s walking and cycling team response to each point in italics below]

We can’t get enough of the new Te ara i whiti/Lightpath and Nelson St Cycleway. It is a pleasure to ride and the magenta magic is stunning (#LightpathAKL for all the images).

However we are concerned about the poor standard of connections to this fantastic cycling infrastructure. The approach roads to the Canada St entrance are not pleasant to ride on especially for less confident riders and a number of detours are expected of commuters wanting a smooth ride and direct route. There is also a lack of signage to Lightpath from K’rd .

First hoon opening on 3 December — Photo: Ronald Andreasson

We (transport portfolio of the Waitemata Local Board) have asked Auckland Transport and NZTA to follow up on a number of issues that we are already aware of since the opening on 3 December. Many of these will get fixed as part of the proposed K’rd cycleway and some are already being investigated by a NZTA safety auditor but we wanted to confirm the urgent action we think is needed on the connections to the Canada St entrance to Lightpath from K’rd, Grafton Gully cycleway and Ian McKinnon Drive. Fortunately there is a lot of road to work with and low parking demand on Canada St. Please let us know if we have missed anything from the list below (either use the comments or email me pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)

At the Waitemata Local Board meeting in December 2015 we passed the following resolution:

Moved by Deputy Chairperson PJ Coom, seconded by member CP Dempsey:

i) That the Auckland Transport Update – December 2015 report be received.

ii) That the Waitematā Local Board notes the public feedback analysis for the Nelson Street Cycleway Phase 2 and requests Auckland Transport provide a direct connection to Wynyard Quarter via Market Place and the Western side of Nelson St in addition to the proposed Quay St connection.

Upper Queen St missing connection to GGC — Missing crossing point between Grafton Gully Cycleway and Canada St shared path. Photo: Christopher Dempsey

iii) Congratulate NZTA and Auckland Transport on the successful opening of the Nelson St cycleway Phase 1

vi) Requests that NZTA and Auckland Transport urgently undertake measures (interim if necessary) to provide safe connections from K’rd, Grafton Gully Cycleway and Ian McKinnon Drive to the entrance of Te ara i whiti/Lightpath at Canada St including:

Installation of an advance cycle box on K’rd at the intersection of Pitt St and Mercury Lane for the right hand turn on to Mercury Lane In the short term we are proposing to trial a cycle barnes dance at this intersection which will enable people on bikes to cross the road and access Mercury Lane without conflict with other vehicular traffic. In the longer term this movement will be improved further in the KRd Streetscape Upgrade project.
Traffic calming on Mercury Lane We are including traffic calming on Mercury Lane in the reference design for the street once the CRL works are complete. We will investigate ways of better enabling this movement in the short term.
Treatment to provide for riders moving across the traffic lane to enter the right hand slip lane on Mercury lane to cross over Canada St to the entrance to the Canada St bridge In the longer term access to the Light Path from Mercury Lane will be addressed in the upgrade of Mercury Lane as part of the CRL works.
Traffic calming on the approach to the Canada St give way sign at the intersection with Mercury Lane An improvement to this section of Mercury Lane will be included in the reference design for the street as part of the CRL works. We will investigate opportunities for temporary measures before the CRL works commence. .
Installation of a cycle facility from Upper Queen St bridge to the K’rd intersection on the western side of Upper Queen St We plan to upgrade this section of Upper Queen Street as part of the KRd Streetscape Upgrade project
Wayfinding signage on K’rd We have included the requirement for wayfinding signage as part of the KRd Streetscape Upgrade project. We will investigate opportunities for temporary signs in the meantime
Appropriate kerb ramps for riders wishing to enter the Canada St shared path from Mercury Lane The New Zealand Transport Agency are investigating this request as part of the final safety audit.
Signalised crossing from Grafton Gully to the southern side of Canada Street across Upper Queen St. This movement is currently catered for as a two part crossing over Upper Queen Street and Canada Street. As part of the KRd Streetscape Upgrade project we will look for opportunities to improve the level of service for people walking and cycling.

vii) Requests NZTA and Auckland Transport to report back to the February 2016 meeting of the Waitemata Local Board on the actions taken

At our February board meeting where AT verbally presented the updates we emphasised the need for quick fixes rather than waiting for the the improvements that are promised to be delivered as part of the K’rd Streetscape Upgrade Project (to be delivered by 2017/18) and the CRL works (2022).

NZTA has also provided this update:

The work around Murray Lane and Canada Street is being reviewed as part of the final safety audit which is due to be concluded imminently with remediation work to follow. I will provide an update on this when it is available.

Monthly Board report February 2016

This is my first report for 2016 covering updates from December 2015 and January 2016.

Highlights

City of cycles

The opening of Lightpath and the Nelson St cycleway on 3 December by Hon Simon Bridges marked the beginning of a fantastic summer of cycling for Auckland. There has been a 20 percent increase in cycling in December 2015 compared to 2014 thanks to the expanding network of safe cycleways.

Lightpath is now the second busiest route with an average of 936 cycle trips per day (pedestrian numbers have yet to be made available but it is also proving to be extremely popular for walkers, runners and skateboarders).

Although Nelson St cycleway has been a big success (and Lightpath is guaranteed to be an award winner) we have been concerned about poor connections and lack of wayfinding to the route. At our December board meeting we passed the following resolutions detailed here.

As at 2 February NZTA has advised that the work around Mercury Lane and Canada Street is being reviewed as part of the final safety audit which is due to be concluded imminently with remediation work to follow.

Love to Ride – Auckland Bike Challenge

I’ve signed up the Waitematā Local Board to the Auckland Bike Challenge through the Love to Ride website. Over February we are going to aim for every member of the local board and all our local board services team to give cycling a go at least once.

City Rail Link announcement

The Waitematā Local Board has consistently supported the City Rail Link as we understand that it is critical to the development of an integrated, efficient transport system in Auckland. It was therefore a pleasure to mark two significant CRL milestones.

First on 21^st December I attended with Christopher Dempsey on behalf of the Board the dawn blessing for the start of the CRL works (photo right).

On 27 January I joined MP Julie Anne Genter, supporters and board members for a celebration to mark the government’s announcement on the CRL funding. This commitment is long overdue but it is good to see the government finally respond to the overwhelming evidence that the CRL is essential to Auckland.

Congratulations to everyone who championed the CRL project and in particular the Mayor who made it his number one priority.

New Network consultation

In January I worked on the Board’s feedback on Auckland Transport’s proposed New Network for Auckland’s Central Suburbs following the public consultation process that ran from 1 October until 10 December 2015.

The Board’s feedback is attached to the agenda.

Taxi trial on Grafton bridge

The Board welcomed the news that Auckland Transport proposes an early end to the Grafton bridge taxi trial. We originally opposed the introduction of the trial.

From AT’s monitoring data it appears that the introduction of taxis to the bridge had a more than minor effect as outlined in the pre-trial monitoring methodology. The two main areas of concern are; failure to adhere to the 30km/h speed limit and, the number of recorded instances of taxis overtaking cyclists on the bridge.

We agreed with this assessment (which supported our own experience of taxis and unauthorised drivers using Grafton Bridge) and the recommendation to the Traffic Control Committee (TCC) for the trial to be stopped and for the special vehicle lane to be returned to a bus lane.

Franklin Road

I am the Board’s representative on the Community Liaison Group for the upgrade of Franklin Road.

In December, following further public engagement and peer review of the options, Auckland Transport announced the preferred design option.

The key reasons given for selecting option 1 as preferred option are:

It balances the needs of all road users taking into account feedback from stakeholders.
It retains the flush median which is used predominantly by vehicles for right turn movements into side street.
It retains parking between trees.
It provides for confident cyclists.
It’s considered an appropriate facility for the steep gradient of Franklin Road.
There is good separation between cyclists and vehicles reversing from driveways.
It is supported by an independent peer reviewer.

Option 1 will now progress to the detailed design stage with a draft design expected in March 2016. This will include further consideration of the treatment of the Wellington Street intersection and side road intersections, and the location and design of pedestrian crossing facilities.

Physical works on stage one are due to commence in March 2016 and implementation of the residents parking zone in April. It is great to see this project moving forward after a long campaign by the Board and local residents.

More details on Auckland Transport’s website.

Unitary Plan

I have been following the Unitary Plan debate closely and how it impacts on our communities even though planning sits outside my portfolios.

On 25^th January I attended with the Chair the Grey Lynn Residents Association information evening. At least 40 people came along to Grey Lynn RSC to hear about the latest zone changes.

What is of most of concern is the out of scope upzoning that is currently proposed by Auckland Council. This has involved unilateral changes to zoning without the ability of people to have any input. It is likely that not all the zoning changes will be opposed where it has been done to correct anomalies or where there may be support for more intensification particularly on transport routes (one of the rationales for the upzoning).

However current opposition to the proposals is not a NIMBY response (as is often portrayed of the oppostion) but an objection to the process. As the Shale Chambers said at the meeting it is a “procedural abomination” that the usual rules of natural justice and the democratic process have not been applied to the up-zoning proposals.

Another aspect of the Unitary Plan process that was mentioned at the meeting is how draining it has been on community groups. The Grey Lynn Residents Association is one of the few voluntary groups that are still managing to be part of the hearing process.

Events

The Auckland Anniversary long weekend provided a smorgasbord of amazing events. I enjoyed checking out the Waitemata Local Board sponsored International buskers festival, Ports of Auckland hosted See Port, and the new Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival in the Cloud as well as taking visitors on a bike ride along the waterfront.

It was just really disappointing to hear that so many people were let down by public transport over the weekend. Member Christopher Dempsey is following this up with Auckland Transport as there is no excuse for not being able to plan for the huge crowds that are now attracted to the city centre to celebrate Auckland’s anniversary.

I was fortunate to attend a number of events in December in the lead up to the holiday break (including the Franklin Road lights, West Lynn Street party, Grey Lynn 2030 Christmas lunch, Ponsonby Business Association breakfast). I was particularly grateful for the invite extended to all elected representatives to attend a settlement waananga and Christmas lunch at Umupuia Marae on 11 December. It was a very special day learning about the history of Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki and their recent settlement with the Crown.

Proposal to rename lower Khartoum Place

Notice of Motion to rename lower Khartoum Place

In accordance with Standing Orders, please place the following Notice of Motion on the agenda for the Waitematā Local Board meeting being held on 8th December 2015:

Recommendation:

That the Waitematā Local Board requests the Resource Consenting and Compliance team, in consultation with relevant council departments, report options for re-naming lower Khartoum Place with a suitable name associated with women’s suffrage, and in recognition of the Women’s Suffrage Centenary Memorial 1893-1993 ‘Women Achieve the Vote’ to a local board business meeting for its consideration in time for the renaming to occur by Suffrage Day 2016.

Background

The Women’s Suffrage Centenary Memorial 1893-1993 ‘Women Achieve the Vote’ (the memorial) is located in Khartoum Place, and honours the Auckland women who worked towards the goal of women’s suffrage. The memorial is made of over 2000 brightly coloured tiles and was designed by artists Claudia Pond Eyley and Jan Morrison. It was erected in 1993 with financial assistance from the Suffrage Centennial Year Trust and the then Auckland City Council. The suffragists depicted in the memorial are Amey Daldy, Anne Ward, Lizzie Frost, Matilda Allsopp, Elisabeth Yates, Annie Jane Schnackenberg, Fanny Brown, and Ida Wells.

Following a campaign to retain the memorial, in 2011 Auckland Council voted to protect the memorial in Khartoum Place in perpetuity. In the draft Unitary Plan the memorial is identified as “a historic heritage place”. It is a category B heritage item which has significant heritage values in terms of Social (B) and context (H).

Khartoum Place runs between Kitchener Street and Lorne Street with a stairway connection between the two street levels. Khartoum Place is named after the 1885 siege of Khartoum. Kitchener St is named after Earl Kitchener (24 June 1850 – 5 June 1916) who fought in the Sudan after the battle of Khartoum and became known as “Lord Kitchener of Khartoum.”

In September 2014 Khartoum place was re-opened following a $1.7million upgrade. Key features of the design are a new staircase that opens up a direct line of sight between Lorne Street and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tāmaki and the retention of the suffrage memorial.

In my address at the reopening I commented that Looking around now at how beautiful Khartoum place looks with the memorial at its heart I think all that is needed now is for this space to be named not after an imperial battle that New Zealand actually refused to take part in but in the future I look forward to it being named Suffrage Place or Kate Sheppard Place”.

The proposal to rename lower Khartoum Place has the support of the National Council of Women NZ Auckland Branch and Councillor Cathy Casey. The NCWNZ Auckland branch resolved unanimously at its November 2015 meeting to support the renaming of lower Khartoum Place to Suffrage Place with the upper level to remain as Khartoum Place.

Renaming lower Khartoum Place will not only provide a fitting tribute to the location of the suffrage memorial but will also end the confusion between the two distinct levels of Khartoum Place (that are known informally as Lower and Upper). From a google maps search there does not appear to be any roads etc in New Zealand named specially after women’s suffrage.

The retention of the upper level as Khartoum Place maintains the historical connection to Kitchener Street. There does not appear to be a historical connection between the naming of Lorne St and lower Khartoum Place.

Local Boards have been allocated decision making responsibility for the naming of local roads pursuant to section 319(1)(j) of the Local Government Act 1974.

Khartoum Place is categorised as a local road. The renaming will need to be carried out in accordance with the Road Naming Guidelines (April 2015) including appropriate consultation.

Monthly Board report December 2015

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 1 November until 5 December 2015 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, and Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre. I was also acting chair from 15 – 19 November.

This is my final report for 2015. Many thanks to everyone who supports the work of the Board during the year.

HIGHLIGHTS

Parnell Festival of Roses on 15 November

Congratulations to the team who delivered an outstanding community-focused Parnell Festival of Roses this year (the festival is now in its 22nd year). I was particularly impressed to hear that the festival broke zero waste records. It is the most sustainable event in terms of zero waste since Auckland Zero Waste Alliance’s Zero Waste Event Project started operating in 2013 achieving a diversion from landfill of 98%. 90% of the event’s waste was composted, and another 8% recycled. Only 2% of the waste generated went to landfill.

David Seymour MP took a big interest in learning about zero waste

Freemans Bay School Think Big project

The launch of the Auckland Kids Voice website by Freeman’s Bay School was held on 11 November at Auckland Council. The website is a Think Big project developed by the school with funding from the Waitematā Local Board earmarked for youth initiatives as part of being a UNICEF Child Friendly City.

The website includes an adult survey form adapted by the school students for kids to be able to give local feedback on Auckland Transport’s New Network bus consultation. The project was recognised in a NZ Herald article Inner City youngsters have region’s interests at heart

Thanks to everyone who made this project happen.

Launch of the Low Carbon Community Action Plan at the Auckland Museum

Launch of low carbon plan at Auckland Museum

Waitematā is the first Local Board to launch a community low carbon action plan. The plan came out of community concern about the lack of action on climate change that led to the Board in 2011 committing to develop a localised plan for reducing emissions that will focus on reducing energy use, sustainable transport options, waste reduction, local food production and more effective and cooperative use of resources and land. I acknowledge the work of the Natural Environment Portfolio team (members Deborah Yates and Rob Thomas) who have seen through the project this term.

On Wednesday 4 November the plan and a Low Carbon Community Network was launched by the Board at the Auckland Museum. The network is intended as a loose collaboration of all those interested in climate change and forging a low carbon community. The Board aims to make the most of sharing the considerable ideas, news and events which make up our collective local knowledge.

At the launch the Museum’s Director of Corporate Services Les Fleming (pictured below with board members) described the huge success they have had in reducing their carbon footprint and took attendees on the roof to see the solar array which is contributing to their effort.

Ponsonby Rd Pedestrian Experience project

On 17 November consultation started on the proposal by Auckland Transport and the Waitematā Local Board to make Ponsonby Road more visually attractive and pedestrian-friendly through improvements to 8 side streets between Franklin Road and Williamson Ave. Additional improvements for Mackelvie Street include a new central island with plantings and an additional raised table. Depending on the preferred design the improvements will result in the addition of between 8 – 12 on street car parks, a new pedestrian refuge for crossing Ponsonby Road and new street furniture.

The improvements are funded from the Waitematā Local Board transport capital expenditure fund to support delivery of the Ponsonby Road Plan.

I’ve previously reported on the 2 year battle the Board had with Auckland Transport to achieve a pedestrian friendly design so it is great to see this project progress.

Consultation is open until 7 December.

Grey Lynn Transport project consultation

Auckland Transport has made unnecessarily difficult work of proposals for transport changes at the Grey Lynn shops. Auckland Transport failed to appreciate the impact of their original proposals (that started out as a project to just relocate one bus stop and improve the safety of two more in the town centre), didn’t develop a consultation plan with the Local Board and didn’t respond adequately to issues raised by the local business community.

It is unfortunate because there are many positive aspects of the revised project (following initial community feedback) that Auckland Transport started consultation on in early November. The new proposals include a new pedestrian crossing, relocation of a loading zone and revised changes to bus stops in the town centre, as well as the installation of traffic calming treatments on Prime Rd and Selbourne St. The changes aim to improve pedestrian safety, create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, and improve the operation of bus services. Importantly it is no longer proposed to remove a loading zone and substantial on street parking which was the focus of original concerns about the project.

On my request the feedback period was extended by 2 weeks (until 9 December) following the Surrey Cres working group raising concerns about the timeframe and extent of the consultation.

Update on the berm planting guidelines

I’ve previously reported on the feedback we gave Auckland Transport on their draft berm planting guidelines. As part of the feedback the Board requested that Auckland Transport re-write the guidelines in conjunction with Local Board Services and that the guidelines include:

details about why berm planting is encouraged and supported
sets out an empowering and enabling criteria
clarifies the local board role
identifies how to mitigate potential hazards and maintenance expectations
tips on working with neighbours to achieve the best outcomes for the community from private plantings in the road corridor

However Auckland Transport has advised that a new draft of the guidelines will go to Auckland Transport’s Executive Team and the AT Board, with a final version of the guidelines likely to be available in the new year. In other words AT has ignored the Board’s request to have input BEFORE the guidelines are finalised.

I have therefore written to the CEO of Auckland Transport bringing his attention to the flawed process his senior managers are pursuing with regards to the berm planting guidelines and to ask that he takes action to ensure the guidelines are only finalised after AT has sought the input of Local Board services as requested (by Waitemata and many other Boards).

In ignoring the request for further input from Local Board Services AT is failing to recognise the Local Board’s placemaking role and desire to work with the community on this issue. AT is also acting contrary to the governance structure and engagement agreement with Local Boards. The current process proposed by AT is unacceptable and is likely to lead to Local Boards having no choice but to draft our own guidelines together with the community.

Freemans Bay Residential Parking Scheme

The results of Auckland Transport’s consultation on the Freemans Bay Residential Parking Scheme showed 59% overall support (78% support from residents). However AT advised the Freemans Bay Residents Association that further consultation may be necessary due to the low response rate (2439 letter sent out, 305 responses received). This led to over 140 emails from concerned residents to Board members asking that the scheme be implemented as soon as possible. I assisted the chair in drafting the following response to Freemans Bay residents:

Thank you for your email and for showing your support for the Freemans Bay Residential Parking Scheme. The Waitematā Local Board is very concerned about the ongoing parking issues in Freemans Bay.

We have asked Auckland Transport (AT) to implement the scheme as soon as possible.

The Board has been advocating for the introduction of the Freemans Bay Residential parking scheme since 2011 and we have actively supported the work of AT together with the Freemans Bay Residents Association to develop the proposed scheme that was recently been consulted on by AT.

One of our key advocacy areas in our Local Board Agreement 2015/16 is Auckland Transport to implement the residential parking zone scheme to manage commuter parking in central Auckland suburbs following consultation with residents.

On 3 November Auckland Transport’s parking team briefed Local Board members on their analysis of the consultation feedback. Although AT advised that they are satisfied they carried out a robust and thorough consultation process, the AT parking team raised with the Board their concern about the low response rate from residents and whether this might require further directed consultation such as door to door enquiries to ensure residents understand and support the scheme.

However we confirmed with AT that we do not think there is any reason to delay the implementation or undertake further consultation given the level of support at the public meeting we attended and that a low response rate is to be expected when the majority are favourable to a proposal.

I, on behalf of the Board, have therefore given AT a very clear direction of the Board’s support for the scheme which has also been backed up by the many positive messages of support, including your own, that we have received from residents.

The parking team confirmed that they will be recommending this month to the Auckland Transport Executive (the final decision maker) that the implementation of the scheme goes ahead based on the consultation results and the support of the Waitematā Local Board. AT have undertaken to get back to the Board with an implementation plan very shortly.

At our November Board meeting we also directed Auckland Transport to implement the scheme as soon as possible (thanks to the Freemans Bay Residents Association for supporting this work and attending the meeting). AT has now confirmed implementation will take place in March 2016.

Community Grants

Applications for the Quick Response Round Two 2015- 2016 were considered at the Community Grants Committee meeting on 2 December. 17 applications totally $36,622.00 were received for a remaining grants fund of $53,298.58.

Details of the applications and the committee’s decision is available on the Council website under agenda and minutes.

Franklin Road lights

The annual switch on of the Franklin Road lights took place on 1 December. This is a very special community event that the Board supports with a grant for the opening night celebrations and additional waste services.

Thanks to the organiser Roscoe Thorby who is to be congratulated on a fantastic opening night with record crowds and special guests Buckwheat and Tess.

Nelson St cycleway opening

The Nelson St cycleway and Canada St bridge opened on 3 December by Hon Simon Bridges. It is fantastic to see this cycleway project progress so quickly since receiving funding from the Urban Cycleway Investment fund. It is the most exciting and interesting cycling project happening in New Zealand if not the world right now. The magenta colour, lighting installation and clever repurposing of a disused motorway off ramp are sure to be award winning and a huge visitor attraction.

Workshops and meetings

From 1 November – 5 December 2015 I attended:

Central Local Boards briefing on financial policies for Annual Plan 2016/2017 on 2 November
Surrey Crescent working group meeting with Auckland Transport to discuss the Grey Lynn transport project on 2 November
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 3 November
Media and communications catch up on 4 November
Business Improvement Districts policy workshop for Councillors and Local Board member representatives on 5 November
Meeting for Board members to discuss proposed Unitary Plan rezoning
Meeting to discuss Waitematā Local Board Grants programme
Auckland Transport presentation to Parnell Inc members regarding the New Network bus consultation
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 10 November
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 11 November
Meeting on 11 November to discuss Ellen Melville Hall art concept proposals
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 12 November
Meeting with Auckland Transport to discuss Franklin Road upgrade options and process
Presentation by 5 year two AUT students of their innovative ecological design project for Western Bays.
GHD hosted breakfast on 13 November and ‘Bikes are good for business’ presentation by Kyle Rowe, Transport Planner with the Seattle Department of Transportation
Catch up with NBA General manager on 13 November
Weekly update with Relationship Manager including update with Senior Advisor on 16 November (as acting Chair)
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 17 November
Transport portfolio monthly meeting with Auckland Transport on 18 November
Meeting at MacKelvie St organised by the Ponsonby Business Association with Auckland Transport to discuss the Ponsonby Road pedestrian experience project consultation
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 24 November
Meeting with Julian Hulls from Nextbike to discuss bike share
Waitematā Local Board extraordinary meeting on 24 November
Community Development Portfolio meeting on 25 November
Inner City Network meeting organised by ADCOSS on 26 November at Ellen Melville Hall
Meeting to discuss Greenways route through Parnell Station
Waitematā Local Board annual plan presentation to the governing body (presented by the Chair)
Tamaki Drive (Plumer St to Ngapipi Rd) cycle route workshop organised by Auckland Transport on 30 November at Beca
Ponsonby Community Centre Committee meeting on 30 November
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 1 December
Attended the Step it Up conference organised by Centre for NZ Progress opening plenary on 30 November and with Michael Wood (member Puketapapa Local Board ) presented at the Step It Up conference on 1 December Local government elections in 2016 – Fighting for progress
Waterfront Forum hosted by Panuku Development Agency on 1 December
Waitematā Local Board grants committee meeting on 2 December
Local Board Members briefing on Housing Affordability on 3 December

Events and functions

From 1 November – 5 December 2015 I attended:

All Blacks parade in Victoria Park on 4 November
Launch of the Low Carbon Community Action plan at Auckland Museum on 4 November
Community information event for the POP programme 2016 held at Studio One on 6 November
Hudson & Halls at the Herald Theatre on 6 November at the invitation of Silo Theatre
Opening of the Salisbury Reserve playground upgrade on 7 November
Auckland Transport’s New Network Consultation at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market on 8 November
Freemans Bay School’s Think Big Project launch (Auckland Kids Voice website)
Armistice Day commemoration held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on 11 November
Opening of the Short me Shorts Film Festival at the Civic Theatre on 11 November
Grey Lynn Business Association networking drinks
Opening of the Onehunga Foreshore Taumanu on Saturday 14 November
Parnell Festival of Roses on Sunday 15 November
Auckland Architecture Association Awards and Lecture by the chief judge Rewi Thompson at the Auckland Art Gallery on 17 November
Parnell Community Committee AGM on 17 November
The Grey Lynn Book Launch at the Grey Lynn RSC on 18 November
Opening of the Air New Zealand 75th anniversary exhibition at the Auckland Museum on 19 November
Herne Bay Residents Association AGM on 19 November
Launch of the Arch Hill Art Wall at Lot 23 on 20 November
Bike Market organised by Auckland Transport at the Pitt St YMCA Hall
Announcement event for the Phil Goff mayoralty campaign on 22 November
Civic Trust AGM at the Leys Institute Library on 22 November
Cycle Action Auckland relaunch as Bike Auckland on 24 November
White Ribbon march on 25 November
Ponsonby Community Centre Christmas drinks on 25 November (I received coasters as a Christmas gift from the staff at the centre)
Drinks with Jarret Walker , author of Human Transit How clearer thinking about public transit can enrich our communities and our lives hosted by MR Cagney on 27 November
Grey Lynn Park Festival on 28 November
People’s Climate March on 28 November (photo right with Christopher Dempsey on the Climate March)
Ponsonby Community Centre AGM on 30 November
Waterfront Forum hosted by Panuku Development Agency on 1 December
Franklin Road Christmas lights opening on 1 December
Silo Park Christmas launch on 2 December
Dawn blessing and opening of the Nelson St cycleway on 3 December
First Thursdays on K’rd
Grey Lynn Community Centre Christmas gathering on 3 December
Ponsonby Market Day on 5 December
Bike Rave on 5 December