It was great to drop by the Park(ing) day event organised by The Urban Picnic Collective (Design Review Team at Auckland Council) held on Thursday 19th September.
A parking space on Hardinge Street was transformed for a picnic, with chairs, trees, chess, free seedlings, and cupcakes. In the news How to Park a Picnic
I gave an update on the work Auckland Transport has underway on a residential parking policy in my September board report
Parking – Residential parking in St Marys Bay
The St Marys Association has recently raised, in a letter drop, concerns about possible changes to the residents parking scheme that has been successfully trialled for the last year (and recently extended for another year). They do not want to see any moves to encourage commuter parking on residential streets and have not been reassured by the responses received from Auckland Transport..
At our monthly catch up in August Auckland Transport confirmed that a parking strategy is going to the Auckland Transport Board in September which will include residential parking principles. They then intend to consult on a residential parking policy.
My understanding is that the policy is still very much under development and that there are a number of issues the policy needs to cover such as:
I have also been reassured that AT is not working on a policy that seeks to apply a one size fits all scheme to distinct suburbs. There needs to be flexibility about how a residential scheme is applied. For example in Parnell there is a greater need for late night restrictions because of the visitors coming to the bars and restaurants. Pricing may also need to vary depending on the desirable level of on street parking.
My understanding is that all these issues are going to be covered in the AT policy and it will be consulted on. It is through the policy development that we need to ensure that St Marys Bay ends up with an appropriate scheme based on the successful trial. I also want to ensure the policy is not delayed as there is a need for effective residential parking schemes in the other central suburbs particularly Freemans Bay.
Parking issues should be reported to Auckland Transport by calling 3553553
This article was first published in the September edition of Ponsonby News
We all have a personal connection to Ponsonby Road. It is far more than just a thoroughfare. It is a celebrated destination and home to many residents and businesses.
Over the years plans have been discussed as to how to fulfil the potential of Ponsonby Road while protecting the unique character and heritage. There have been some notable successes with the lowering of the speed limit and the return of the symbolic Three Lamps. The“hippest neighbourhood” of Ponsonby was recently listed as the 8th reason out of 20 to visit Auckland by visiting Australian journalists. However the strip has suffered from a lack of people spaces, cohesive planning and transport choices.
A draft Ponsonby Road masterplan has been developed through a unique, collaborative process by a working group made up of Waitemata Local Board members, the Ponsonby Business Association, community organisations, stakeholders and mana whenua representatives. The draft seeks to provide a vision of how Ponsonby Road can be developed over the next 30 years as a key shopping and entertainment destination, vibrant and connected to people. The proposals in the plan are themed around Land Use, Arts, Culture& Heritage, Transport & Movement and Natural Environment & Open Space.
The draft has kicked off intense discussion and many passionate responses have already been submitted. One of the more debated aspects of the plan is over the options for making Ponsonby road safer for pedestrians and cyclists along its length. To achieve this outcome while balancing the needs of all road users, will require decisions around the prioritisation of the road space.
The transport experts have told us that 28,000 vehicles a day use Ponsonby Road. This is significant but it doesn’t tell the full picture. The number is actually dropping now that the north western motorway is connected to the bridge and per capita car use is on the decrease. Only 10-15% of traffic is actually through-traffic travelling the entire road from top to bottom. The large proportion of local traffic creates big opportunities. With most trips being less than 5km more locals might chose to leave the car behind if there was a frequent, reliable bus service and safe cycle lanes.
The draft sets out different road design options including a “Copenhagen” or separated cycle lane. Business owners have voiced concerns that cycle lanes are not good for business and is only for“greenies”. However all the most recent research demonstrates that bike lanes significantly increase economic activity. In New York after the construction of a protected cycle lane on 9th Avenue, local businesses saw a 49% increase in retail sales. In comparison, local businesses throughout Manhattan only saw a 3% increase in retail sales.
There is also a perception that there is very little parking serving Ponsonby Road. In fact there are thousands of car parks nearby (on roads and in car parks) that are currently very poorly managed. A residents’ parking scheme like the St Mary’s Bay one would overnight give priority to residents and free up parking to short term visitors coming to the area to spend.
At the public meeting on the masterplan the Freeman’s Bay girl guides gave their feedback on the draft. Their priorities: 1. A playground. 2. Bikelanes (and hire bikes) 3. More trees. It really could be this simple. We just need to listen to all the feedback and plan with a 30 year vision that develops Ponsonby Road for future generations.
Copies of the plan are available at the Ponsonby Community Centre and online on the Auckland Council current consultations page.
The deadline for feedback has been extended to Monday 15 September.
( I was the Board’s representative on the Ponsonby Rd working group with Tricia Reade)
Photos are from the engagement sessions we have held during August
Last month I attended the LGNZ conference on behalf of the Waitemata Local Board. I reported back on the conference at our August Board meeting. Here is my pick of the best presentation from the conference.
A Global Perspective on localism
At a time when there have been unprecedented attacks on local government by the National government I thought Dr Oliver Hartwich presentation A global perspective on localism was the most relevant of the conference.
In his view the decline of local Government is deplorable as there are many negative sides to centralisation. There are philosophical and economic reasons to localise. Dr Hartwich suggests we need to ask the question “not what LG might do but what is it we need of a central administration”. This is the basis of subsidiarity which he strongly supports as a liberal economist.
Local government is the best provider of services as it creates competition and ensures people have choices about where they want to live. NZ is unusual in the amount of spending controlled by central government (89%), lower revenues and lags behind in local government investment. Central government is the best way to engage citizens and preserve individual freedoms but the upper tier is the least efficient and most detached.
Dr Hartwich argued that democracy works best with strong local government and that NZ should move in the same direction as the world trend toward localism.
It was great to be at the City Vision campaign launch on Sunday 4 August with such an enthusiastic and positive buzz of candidates and supporters.
Chair Robert Gallagher welcomed Mayor Len Brown and a strong presence of MPs – local Mt Roskill MP Phil Goff, Mt Albert’s David Shearer, Jacinda Ardern and Denise Roche from Auckland Central and Carol Beaumont from Maungakiekie.
Mayor Len Brown spoke about the achievements of the first Auckland Council in the areas of affordable housing, securing the CBD Rail Link and rates restraint. He committed to continuing an inclusive approach to get things done and to ensure the old C&R ways of oppositional politics did not return.
The whole City Vision team standing for the Waitemata Local Board were there with City Vision endorsed Cr Mike Lee who is standing for the Waitemata & Gulf Ward.
City Vision has also launched a new website at www.cityvision.org.nz and campaigning is underway.
City Vision on twitter
City Vision on FB
It is really exciting to see the draft Ponsonby Road Masterplan printed and ready for feedback. I introduced the idea to set up a working group to develop a draft to the Waitemata Local Board last year. Since then Tricia Reade and I have championed the project through to a beautifully presented draft, packed with ideas to transform Ponsonby Road. We hope the draft will provoke robust discussion and feedback.
The working group made up of iwi, community representatives, stakeholders and the Ponsonby Business Association met over the last 5 months to develop the draft. It was a unique partnership approach to developing a plan that was able to build on previous community initiatives. Through the process we were also able to learn about the Māori heritage of the area. (The Council commissioned report on Māori heritage values and opportunities from in order to better engage with relevant Iwi for the project area is available here)
The draft identifies specific outcomes and provides concepts for all modes of transport, arts and culture, the streetscape and key sites.
Public consultation on the draft masterplan begins on 24 July and will continue until 4 September.
Have your say online
Community open days
Public meetings
For more information, or to order hard copies of the feedback form, phone 301 01 01 and ask to speak to Alana Thurston.
Every year Local Boards negotiate an annual agreement with the Governing Body (the Councillors and Mayor) that forms part of the Annual Plan and sets out the Board’s budget and service levels. A section of the annual agreement also includes the advocacy projects the Local Board is seeking Council Controlled Organisations like Auckland Transport, Watercare and Waterfront Auckland to deliver.
The Waitemata Local Board has a detailed list of advocacy areas to Auckland Transport for delivery as part of the Board’s 13/14 Annual Agreement. Auckland Transport reports quarterly at our monthly business meeting on our advocacy projects (next report due 13 August 2013).
Waitemata Local Board Transport advocacy areas to Auckland Transport
1. Cycle infrastructure
Auckland Transport to consult with Local Boards on the development of the Cycling Business Plan and the routes and priorities of the Auckland Cycle Network
a) Auckland Transport to improve cycle infrastructure through the completion and extension of the Auckland Cycle Network with safe, connected, dedicated cycleways.
b) Auckland Transport to prioritise for upgrade, in the 2013/2014 financial year, all routes currently identified as “complete” on the Auckland Cycle Network within the Waitemata Local Board area but are not of a safe standard.
2. Traffic calming
a) Auckland Transport and the Board to work together on identifying traffic calming measures for the shopping areas in Parnell, Ponsonby, Karangahape Road and Richmond Road to support 40 km/h zones. This would include for example, raised crossings, raised intersections and kerb build-outs to narrow the road.
b) Auckland Transport to extend the trial of a slow speed zone in a residential area.
c) Auckland Transport to implement the city centre 30km/h speed zone (as described in the City Centre Masterplan).
3. Cycle safety
Auckland Transport to prioritise the installation of advance cycle stop boxes with feeder lanes including in the following locations:
i) Williamson Avenue northeast coming onto Ponsonby Road
ii) College Hill Road westbound coming onto Ponsonby Road
iii) Tamaki Drive, westbound at The Strand
iv) St Stephen’s Avenue westbound coming onto Parnell Road
v) Karangahape Road eastbound at Symonds Street, onto the Grafton Bridge
vi) Great North Road eastbound coming on to Karangahape Road.
4. Pedestrian safety
Auckland Transport to improve intersections for pedestrians with substantial foot traffic and develop solutions to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians. This includes:
Auckland Transport to advocate for a change of the give way rule requiring motorists to give way to pedestrians at intersections.
5. Richmond Road Safety Plan
Auckland Transport to complete the implementation of the safety improvement action plan during the 2013-2014 financial year, in conjunction with Auckland Council for the shopping areas and school zones of Richmond Road, concentrating on the following elements:
6. Franklin Road upgrade
Auckland Transport to undertake the planned upgrade of Franklin Road to provide for safe and continuous walking and cycling pathways from Ponsonby Road to Victoria Park including continuous pedestrian facilities (i.e. an unbroken footpath on both sides of the road) across all side streets, driveways and intersections (for example by installing raised tables).
7. Newmarket traffic management plan
Develop a traffic management plan for Newmarket to make traffic flow in a way that is logical and supports public transport, walking and cycling and economic development. This would include consideration of parking, arterial infrastructure, motorway access and signage.
8. Residential parking zone
Auckland Transport to implement the residential parking zone scheme to manage commuter parking in central Auckland suburbs.
9. Auckland Domain traffic management
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
Contribute to the development of a Masterplan for the Domain (to be led by Auckland Council).
10. Newmarket street upgrade
Auckland Transport to work with Auckland Council to investigate an upgrade for the western part of Teed St), York Street and Kent Street (the Eastern part of Teed St and Osborne Street having been completed in 2010.
11. Sky path
Auckland Transport to progress the Auckland Harbour pathway project (the SkyPath) for delivery in 13/14.
12. Footpaths
a) Auckland Transport to prioritise the 2013/2014 footpath renewal programme in conjunction with the Waitemata Local Board
b) Auckland Transport to create an agreed public consultation framework for the footpath renewal programme.
1
3. Greenways
Auckland Transport to fund and deliver the on-road components of the Waitemata Local Board greenways project prioritised for 2013/2014.
14. Auckland Transport to set the three year programme of works in collaboration with the Waitemata Local Board with regards to footpaths, road safety initiatives, cycleways, parking, greenways.
15. Auckland Transport to support other Waitemata Local Board agreement priorities including:
I remember when the original boardwalk was built by Muldoon’s PEP workers in about 1983. Since then I’ve used this route heaps but was always weary about falling into the creek especially more recently as the boardwalk deteriorated. So it is great to see the boardwalk replaced and upgraded to a width of 2.5m to create a proper shared path. This is a Waitemata Local Board funded project that is the start of our Greenways network. The connection from Coxs Bay to Grey Lynn Park and then on to the NW Cycleway is our priority route (the Greenways Plan will be on our July agenda).
Photos from the opening today
This report covers my activities from 1 May – 31 May 2013.
Unitary Plan
May has been dominated by the draft Unitary Plan engagement process leading up to the final day for feedback on 31 May. During the month member Tricia Reade and I, with fantastic support from officers, organised additional information sessions across the Waitemata Local Board area.
Photos from information sessions in Grey Lynn, Parnell and Ponsonby
During the month we held information sessions at:
I also attended Unitary Plan meetings hosted by the Herne Bay Residents Association, Grey Lynn Business Association/Grey Lynn Residents Association and the Newmarket Community Committee.
Next steps in the development of the draft Unitary Plan (as reported by the Mayor on 30 May)
Community Funding
The Central Joint Funding Committee met on 23 May to distribute funds from the Community Group Assistance Fund (second and final round for 13/14). The committee is made up of representatives from the Local Boards in the old Auckland City Council area.
The minutes of the committee are available on the Council website
The Waitemata Local Board community grant committee also met during May to consider applications to the fourth and last round of this financial year 12/13. Recommendations for the allocation of the remaining $18,538.00 (from $80,000 for 12/13) are on this month’s agenda.
Transport
The Transport portfolio monthly briefing with Auckland Transport took place on 30 May. We covered:
Full details of current proposals and issues are outlined in Auckland Transport’s monthly report attached to the Board agenda.
Bike Corral on Ponsonby Road
With the support of the Transport portfolio and the Ponsonby Business Association Auckland Transport has chosen 264 Ponsonby Road as the location for a six month trial of Auckland’s first bike corral. This will be an on-street bike parking facility with capacity for 10 bikes designed to best suit the street environment of Ponsonby Road.
There is now plenty of research to show the economic benefits of encouraging cycling.
http://momentummag.com/features/how-bicycles-bring-business/
The proposed design was consulted on during May. Construction is scheduled for late June.
Transport infrastructure
Geoff Lawler, Director of City Planning and Infrastructure – City of Melbourne, visited Auckland during May. I attended a discussion forum with him for officers and elected representatives on planning for future growth.
Geoff gave an overview of the infrastructure strategy and the projects that have been implemented to cope with the rapid growth and densification of the city of Melbourne. I was particularly interested in Melbourne’s new transport strategy which sets key directions and targets for a growing city. Around 800,000 people move through the city every day; this is expected to increase to more than one million by 2030.
Melbourne has bold mode share targets and is aiming to be a walking and cycling city.
Mobility by mode – getting into the city centre
|
Mode |
Current mode Share |
2030 target |
|
Walking |
3% |
8% |
|
Cycling |
4% |
12% |
|
Car |
47% |
20% |
|
PT |
46% |
60% |
Traffic volumes plateaued in 2005 for a number of factors. PT became a viable alternative due the influence of the Commonwealth Games 2006, there was a political imperative to improve PT and a price shock.
Key messages:
More information at www.Melbourne.vic.gov.au/futuregrowth
Ponsonby Road master plan working group update
An option identification and development workshop was held with the working group, iwi reps and invited guests on 22 May. The UrbanismPlus team together with Council planning officers presented a range of concepts covering Transport, Open space and Arts, Culture and Heritage and Land Use + Key sites.
The concepts and feedback from the workshop will be presented at workshop in June to Board members.
Other board activities
Local Board Workshops and meetings
I attended during May:
Events and functions
During May I attended:
Congratulations to all those individuals and groups acknowledged at the Good Citizen Awards for their outstanding voluntary contribution to the community.
This appeared in the May edition of Ponsonby News
Book-ended by café Jafa and a new shopping strip at one end and Ponsonby Central at the other, Richmond Road offers a diverse range of unique neighbourhood experiences as it meanders its way through Grey Lynn.
Along the way there are two schools, three churches, the Buddhist Centre, Community centre, local shops, cool bars, fabulous cafes, boutique retail and of course the variety of the West Lynn shops dominated by the long serving Harvest Wholefoods. Richmond Road hosts the Grey Lynn Farmers Market on Sundays, the Car Boot market and Kraftbomb at the end of every month as well as the Grey Lynn RSC and West Lynn Street party nights.
There are also surprises on route. See if you can spot the “guerilla” flower and herb garden, a shop window art installation, the teddies playing in a large tree and the swing-by community library nestled in a front fence (a clue is the swing out front). Majestic Carlile House sits eerily vacant waiting for a deal to be struck between the church owners and Council so this historic relic can be gracefully restored. I’ve heard many people who work or live along its length say they love Richmond Road for the vibrant atmosphere, the eclectic mix of heritage houses and the easy connections to everything the wider Grey Lynn/Ponsonby area has to offer.
All the activity on Richmond Road , including the recent opening of Farro Fresh, however has also resulted in increased traffic and a diminishing pedestrian experience. After more than four years of raising concerns about the safety of students, Richmond Road School has been successful in Auckland Transport taking action to install a range of traffic calming measures including new signage, markings and raised strips to encourage slower speeds.
These improvements are being undertaken as part of the overall Richmond Road Safety Action Plan which is a Waitemata Local Board initiative. We are working with Auckland Transport to target the shopping areas and schools zones concentrating on pedestrian and cycle safety and traffic calming together with good urban design to provide enhanced overall attractiveness and amenity.
The next priority for action is the West Lynn shopping area to tackle the on- going issues regarding the speed of traffic, illegal parking, and concerns for pedestrian safety. Other priorities include the zone where Countdown, Mitre 10 and Farro Fresh converge and the intersection of Richmond Road and Peel Street (by the Little Grocer ). The Board’s proposed Greenways Route will add a new dimension to Richmond Road by providing a link between Grey Lynn Park and Coxs Bay.
By taking a “complete street” urban design approach and working to make people the priority, Richmond Road has the potential to offer an even greater destination experience and not just a circular route through Grey Lynn
This report covers my activities from 1 April – 30 April 2013 and is reported on at the May Waitemata Local Board Meeting
Portfolio reports
Community portfolio
As well as our monthly catch up with community development (quarterly update from CDS is attached to the Board’s agenda) we had a cluster meeting with other central community portfolio holders. We met with Richard Butler, Community Development Manager, Central who took us through recent restructuring that is intended to put CDS in a better position to deliver on actual projects to achieve community outcomes and to provide a focus on delivering better services to local boards.
Community-led development
During April we have been energised in community development by the visit of Jim Diers, previously the Director, Department of Neighbourhoods at Seattle City Council.
Jim talks about the crisis of democracy and the need to not just engage with community but to build community by going out to the people. He has many suggestions for moving towards a partnership with the community that a far wider network of people can respond to. For example getting people involved through a “project party” not a meeting and providing matching funding for community projects. I think we can learn a great deal from Jim’s experience and how we can make democracy work effectively by ensuring planning is done by communities.
A joint workshop was held for local boards and the governing body on 22 April where Jim Diers was invited to share his experiences from Seattle. The workshop was also an opportunity to provide early feedback on how the proposed draft community development principles might be practically applied across local board and governing body decision-making roles, and in the day-to-day activities across council generally. Thriving communities – the draft strategic action plan that includes the Council’s community development principles – is due to be released in June.
I am also on the Auckland Neighbourhood Planning Task Group convened by Roger Blakely that is looking to promote neighbourhood planning and implementation across Auckland Council in order to enhance community-driven planning and neighbourhood self-help projects. Members of the group met with Jim and representatives from Inspiring Communities to discuss neighbourhood planning.
Feedback on the Point Chevalier Pasadena Community year 1-8 Schooling options
The community portfolio made a joint submission with the Albert -Eden Local Board regarding the Ministry of Education’s proposals arising from the increasing roll at Point Chevalier due to population growth, changing demographics and the school’s popularity. The proposals look at options for Point Chevalier School and Pasadena Intermediate School that have part of their zones within our Board area. A copy of the letter is attached as ATTACHMENT A (refer page 317 of the agenda).
Good Citizen Awards
The nomination period for the awards was extended to 26 April to ensure there was plenty of time to recognise and reward those who have made a significant voluntary contribution in the Waitemata Local Board area. Judging will take place in May with the awards ceremony on 31 May.
Transport Portfolio
The Transport portfolio monthly briefing with Auckland Transport took place on 24 April. We covered:
Full details of current proposals and issues are outlined in Auckland Transport’s monthly report attached to the Board agenda. (refer page 61)
What price safety?
One of our local board capex projects is to improve cycling safety at the intersection of Great North Road and Ponsonby Road. Cyclists approaching the intersection on Great North Road heading east are forced in to a pinch point as the lanes increase from two to three and the shared bus lane disappears.
Cyclists currently either mount the pavement to avoid being stuck at the back of a queue of buses or get pushed into a lane of traffic. We have proposed that an advance stop box be installed with a feeder lane.
Road corridor operations investigations have concluded that to add a cycle feeder lane to this intersection a vehicle lane would have to be removed. They have advised that the removal of one lane for general traffic would increase delays in the peak from 73 seconds to 206 seconds. There would also be an impact on PT unless one of the lanes becomes a bus lane.
Auckland Transport have advised that they do not recommend any option that will increase motorist delays without a more strategic assessment of the overall impact of re-prioritising road space.
Auckland Transport is therefore going to look at installing a cycle stop box only.
My personal view is that we cannot continue to put cyclists at risk and ignore the safety of routes on the Auckland Cycle Network. Great North Road is currently operating under capacity because of the alternative provided by the North-western Motorway and delays are minimal. There is huge potential to increase cycle trips by improving cycling infrastructure on the Great North Road ridge at relatively minor inconvenience to drivers. I would therefore like us as a Board to push for the reprioritisation of road space to accommodate all modes of transport.
Getting parking right for Auckland
A blog drafted for shapeauckland (the Council’s Unitary Plan website) based on the presentations given at the Getting Parking Right for Auckland seminar (part 1) hosted by the Board and AECOM on 3 April is attached at ATTACHMENT B.
Local Board capex projects update
An update on the Board’s capex projects is in Auckland Transport’s monthly report.
I attended a number of meetings in April to progress the Newmarket Streetscapes upgrade project by Auckland Transport in conjunction with the City Centre Transformation team. However three of our projects are unlikely to proceed this year following initial investigations:
It is becoming clear that it is very difficult to progress projects via our capex fund that Auckland Transport do not wish to include in their current work programme. Over the next month we will be work shopping our transport projects and I will be proposing that we invest any remaining capex for 12/13 into our well-developed Greenways project (to be reported on in June following the consultation that took place earlier in the year).
Record numbers cycling
Figures released by Auckland Transport in April show that in March cycling during the peak period (7am to 9am) increased 24.1 per cent. This comes on top of an increase of 18.5 per cent in February and a rise of 9.0 per cent in January.
Numbers are up even higher in the Waitemata Local Board area – this is great news and justifies increased expenditure in cycling infrastructure by Auckland Transport.
Refer ATTACHMENT D (page 321) for an update on Why do cyclists run red lights.
Other Board activities
Unitary Plan
I took part in a number of Unitary Plan events during April.
My impression is that although there are very real concerns about some of the proposed zoning (particularly around the West Lynn shops) and scepticism that Council will be able to ensure good quality design there is conceptual support for the draft Unitary Plan in our area and an understanding that we are at an early draft stage meaning feedback now will improve the plan.
Annual plan hearings for Waitemata Local Board
Every year Local Boards hold a “discussion” with the Governing Body to go through the Local Board’s advocacy points that form part of the Local Board Agreement.
I supported the Chair in covering our transport advocacy projects at our meeting with the Governing Body held on 24 April. This part of the presentation is attached as ATTACHMENT C.
Ponsonby Road master plan working group
Kobus Mentz from UrbanismPlus has been contracted to provide urban design/ public realm services for the Ponsonby Road master plan working group. We had a very productive Vision and Outcome Setting workshop in April who covered technical briefings on transport, land use, open space and heritage and group work focused around identifying key precincts/ nodes; key transformational sites; and options to achieve vision and outcomes for Ponsonby Road.
We also held a hui with mana whenua to discuss their contribution to the master plan which resulted in iwi representatives attending the workshop and agreeing to a process for drafting a cultural assessment.
Fairtrade Implementation
May is the one year anniversary of Auckland becoming a Fairtrade city, an initiative that was led by the Waitemata Local Board. I asked Andrew Walters, Business & Facilities Sustainability Project Leader for an update on how the implementation is going and received this response.
All in all I am very enthusiastic about fair trade and would love to do a lot more in this space as the social, environmental and economic benefits of fair trade are all vital elements of sustainability. In a well-resourced sustainability team we would do a lot more and aim for an identified work programme about fair trade implementation rather than current situation.
A report may be worthwhile if requested through the appropriate channels etc. but in the interests of expediency I have put down a few notes.
I can’t write a fuller report just now on this as I am the only remaining member of the sustainability team as two left and were not replaced, so am under some pressure in other areas. But hopefully this summary will help.
It is great to see that steps have been taken to implement Fairtrade but I am concerned at the lack of resourcing for the sustainability team to meaningfully ensure Fairtrade is an integral part of Council and receives on-going monitoring.
Professional development
CAN Do 2013 Auckland: Inspiring Change
I attended the Cycle Advocates Network’s annual summit on Saturday 13 April with Christopher Dempsey (registration of $60 was paid from the Board’s professional development budget).
Speakers on the theme of Inspiring Change – mainstreaming cycling included Rod Oram, Camden Howitt, Sustainable Coastlines and Stephen Town NZTA Regional Director.
I was particularly impressed with the keynote speaker Jonathan Daly who spoke about the politics of cooperation in the age of sharing: a new paradigm for bicycle advocacy.
He talked about the evolution of public space to private space that occurred with the advancement of the car. He believes we are entering the next evolution with the re-publicisation of public space (such as shared spaces)
He urged for the discussion to be re-framed around liveability – what we have stand to lose if we don’t invest in cycling.
IPENZ Transportation Group conference
I attended the IPENZ Transportation Group conference funded from the Board’s professional development budget. A copy of my report is attached as ATTACHMENT D (refer page 321).
Other board activities
Local Board Workshops and meetings
I attended during April:
Events and functions
During April I attended:
This report covers my activities from 1 March – 31 March 2013.
Board activities
Annual plan hearings for Waitemata Local Board
I found our hearings day held on 19 March to be extremely interesting, worthwhile and productive. We were fortunate to have a range of passionate submitters and to be joined by three governing body members who added to the value of the hearings.
I would just query why the Orakei Local Board decided to submit to a number of fellow boards including Waitemata. There are a range of projects we may wish to collaborate on but the annual plan process is not intended nor structured to provide for different parts of the Auckland Council family to submit as members of the public. I would like to see Local Board services give a clear direction on this issue for next year.
Grants Committee meeting
The Grants Committee met on 27 March to consider 18 applications totally $68,573.98 to the Waitemata Local Board’s third round of discretionary funding. The committee agenda is available online. Thank you to all the applicants who came along to speak in support of their applications.
The recommendations of the committee will be referred to the Board’s business meeting on 9 April. The last and fourth round of funding for this financial year is open until Friday 26th April. (application form available here)
Relationship between CCO’s and Local Boards
At our February meeting we received the report and resolutions from the Accountability and Performance Committee – Relationship between Local Boards and Council Controlled Organisations
It was delegated to the Board Chair and Deputy Chair to work with Local Board Services officers to provide feedback to the Committee on the type of engagement the Waitemata Local Board would like with Council Controlled Organisations.
This feedback is attached as ATTACHMENT A.
It should also be noted that CCO’s are required to report to the Governing Body on their engagement with Local Boards and that Auckland Transport has been directed to hold workshops with Local Board on their prioritisation criteria in early 2013. This workshop has yet to occur and Auckland Transport, Waterfront Auckland and ACPL have not provided Local Board Services with their engagement plans for 12/13.
Professional development
During March I have taken advantage of a number of excellent learning opportunities available to board members.
Re-thinking Pacific Auckland, Damon Salesa, Associate Professor, Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Auckland – a lunchtime learning hosted by the Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit.
This presentation highlighted the high degree of racial segregation occurring in Auckland (using census and demographic data) which is not talked about and therefore not addressed. There are serious consequences of this segregation not just within lower socio-economic areas. Pakeha who attend racially segregated schools are also educationally disadvantaged.
It means differences of opportunity and attainment and damages confidence in democracy.
The presenter gave as the number one solution building social housing in wealthier areas – he felt strongly that no development should happen at the waterfront without social housing.
I would like the Waitemata Local Board to ensure it meets the challenge given by the presenter of working to create the World’s most liveable city for EVERYONE.
Innovation Auckland Conference
SOCANZ conference on 25 and 26 March (conference report to be provided next month)
The conference presented energetic experts on social entrepreneurship and a range of workshops on a cross-section of subjects.
Place making session – connecting Auckland Place Makers
Ethan Kent, International Place advocate for the Project for Public Spaces. Hosted by Waterfront Auckland at the Cloud
“If you plan for cars and traffic you get cars and traffic, if you plan for people and places you get people and places”
The presentation held up place making as a transformative agenda going through the key attributes that make a good place, describing place making opportunities and benefits.
Natalie Nicholles, associate director, new economics foundation (nef) London
Local economic development – a community development approach for the ‘toolbox’ – a session for Local Board members
Provided a practical overview of nef’s innovative, tried-and-tested local economic development tools:
– developing community knowledge about local wealth creation, and why it matters
– building community capability to assess where and how money and resources leak out of local
I also used a private visit to Melbourne to learn more about what it takes to create the world’s most liveable city with lots of people cycling for transport (report here)
Getting Parking Right for Auckland Seminar
Invites went out in early March for the seminar on 3 April to all of the business associations, CBD advisory board members, local board members and a number of councillors.
An impressive line up of experts, including Chief Economist, Geoff Cooper are included in the programme.
Portfolio reports
Transport
The Transport portfolio monthly briefing with Auckland Transport took place on 21 March 2013. We covered:
Full details of current proposals and issues are outlined in Auckland Transport’s monthly report attached to the Board agenda.
Parking
Parking continues to be an issue for many neighbourhoods in our board area. In Freemans Bay nearly all the unrestricted on-street parking is taken up daily by commuters making it difficult for visitors and residents to access parking spaces. Freemans Bay is the number one priority for a residents parking scheme applying the lessons Auckland Transport has learnt from the St Marys Bay trial.
In February we heard from residents of Scarborough Tce at our monthly board meeting about the parking issues on their street. Auckland Transport is investigating a number of options for a scheme that needs to be effective in a mixed use area with high occupancy rates into the evening.
In Eden Tce we heard that Auckland Transport successfully presented to the Business Association on a proposal for a paid parking zone with a limited number of free on -street parking areas. As part of implementing a new parking scheme Auckland Transport is able to work with the local businesses to offer free public transport for 3 weeks, bike hire and car pool software with a travel plan for the area.
In St Marys Bay Auckland Transport is continuing to assess the trial and how best to deal with the request for business permits. One option being considered is to allow for a limited number of coupons for daily parking (similar to the coupon scheme in Wellington).
What is clear from all the investigations that AT is undertaking is that each neighbourhood will require an appropriate parking scheme to be developed to fit the particular community needs.
Road safety
I have raised concerns with Auckland Transport that their latest campaign aimed at pedestrians is ill-conceived and unlikely to resonant with the target audience. The Pay Attention or Pay the price campaign is aimed at young people who are involved in large number of accidents in the city centre.
However what I have learnt from safety campaign experts such as Jonathan Daly is that these kinds of messages don’t work as they are missing the key ingredient of empathy. It is human nature to switch off to messages such as “Slow down”, “Pay Attention”, “Be polite “
I think this campaign also doesn’t recognise current realities regarding how people – especially young people -choose to move around the city and how Auckland streets are being designed that even work to encourage distractions (such as shared spaces).
Of course pedestrians need to take care but I believe this campaign will lead to a greater tendency to blame the victim of road accidents involving pedestrians which is nearly always the pedestrian.
Interestingly we found out that AT uses a very small focus group sample on which to test safety messages. From the representative sample that we were shown all of the responders asked AT to not waste money on the campaign but to invest in more pedestrian friendly street design.
Richmond Road School
After more than 4 years of pushing for improved safety improvements on Richmond Road the school has been successful in Auckland Transport approving a range of measures.
I attended a meeting with the principal, Stephanie Anich, representatives of Auckland Transport and Cycle Action on 22 March to discuss the current proposals which are either underway or about to start. These improvements include:
These safety improvements are being undertaken as part of the overall Richmond Road safety action plan which is a local board project.
Promoting active transport for events
I have raised with Auckland Transport and ATEED the lack of promotion for active transport as an option for travel to events over the summer. For example the promotion for travel to Pasifika was just focused on using the park and ride facilities. No bike parking was provided at the event despite it taking place right next to the north western cycle way.
I am also aware of the large number of complaints that have been directed to Auckland Transport regarding the lack of planning to cope with the large numbers using public transport to attend events particularly over the weekend of 9/10 March. AT have advised that their Special Events Team will review all available data and apply the learnings to planning for future events so that the travelling public is better served.
Other board activities
Local Board Workshops and meetings
I attended during March:
Launch of Unitary Plan and attendance at the business and heritage sessions held during the day (pictured)Events and functions
The Auckland Arts Festival 2013 was a big highlight of the events calendar during March. I was fortunate to attend the following performances
I also attended during March
