General update
This is my Councillor report covering the period from 8 June – 7 July. It has been prepared for the July business meetings of the Aotea Great Barrier, Waiheke and Waitematā Board Local Boards.
The purpose of my report is to detail my main activities and to share information with the local boards in my ward regarding governing body decisions, my attendance at events and meetings, regional consultations, media updates and key issues.
Positions
- Deputy Chair, Environment and Climate Change Committee
- Co-Chair, Hauraki Gulf Forum
- Member, Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (ACCAB)
- Board Member, LGNZ National Council
- Member, Auckland Domain Committee
Summary
- As NZ moved to Alert Level 1 on 8 June a phased re-opening of council facilities was able to happen more quickly. Meetings are now all in person but with more flexibility to join by Skype.
- As of 6 July, water levels in Auckland’s nine water collection dams remain at a record low, sitting at 55.8 per cent. Water restrictions continue.
- From 30 June most of Auckland’s city centre moved to a speed limit of 30km/h
- Consultation on the Emergency Budget closed on 19 June. The budget has been my main focus as the Governing Body works towards the decision making meeting on 16 July.
Governing Body meetings – Key decisions
The minutes for all meetings are available on the Auckland Council website. The following is intended as a summary only.
On 9 June Governing Body held a confidential meeting to appoint the new CEO. The successful candidate has yet to be announced (updated: the CEO announcement was made on 17 July).
On 11 June the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee approved the initiation of a comprehensive review of the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010.
On 18 June the Finance and Performance Committee approved Auckland Museum’s amended Annual Plan and Levy for 2020/2021.
The committee also approved the proposed amendments to the Local Government Funding Agency legal documents and Foundation Policies.
On 25 June Governing Body received an update from Watercare on the water shortage and agreed to waive resource consent fees for residential rainwater tank installation.
The committee also amended the standing orders to allow elected members to attend electronically if they prefer to, but without voting rights.
The governing body agreed to urgently contact central government to request an announcement on shovel ready project funding be made prior to our emergency budget decision making on July 16th.
On 2 July the Planning Committee approved several private plan changes in Drury East and Whenuapai.
The committee also approved the preparation of Spatial Land Use Frameworks for the Kumeu-Huapai and Wainui Silverdale Dairy Flat areas and established a Political Working Party to approve the draft frameworks for consultation.
Other key meetings and events
In the period 8 June to 7 July I attended:
- Event with the Mayor to mark the planting of native trees as part of CRL works along Albert Street. Eight trees were planted over the week, with a total of 23 trees (Totora, Golden Totara, Pohutukawa, Black Maire and Puriri) planned as part of CRL’s Contract 2 works
- Ports of Auckland Community Reference group meeting held via Zoom on 10 June
- Dawn blessing and opening by the PM of Commercial Bay on 11 June
- Black Lives Matter rally on 14 June
- On International Day of Justice for Cleaners and Security Guards, joined the Mayor to receive a petition and deputation from supporters of Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand
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At the opening of Commercial Bay with the PM, Mayor Goff, Hon Phil Twyford and Cr Darby Women in Urbanism emergency budget discussion on 15 June
- Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 16 June and the Aotea Great Barrier Local Board meeting on 23 June
- Presented to Westhaven Rotory’s breakfast meeting on 23 June
- CRL event on 23 June to mark the start of works on the underground Aotea Station
- ACCAB workshop on 23 June
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On International Day of Justice for Cleaners and Security Guards, joined the Mayor to receive a petition and deputation from supporters of Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand Grey Lynn Business Association networking event on 25 June at Malt bar
- Media briefing for the Safer Speeds rollout on 29 June
- A low key opening of the new high canopy primate habitat for orangutans and siamangs at Auckland Zoo
- KBA convened meeting to discuss Karangahape Road/ Auckland Street Whanau issues and responses.
- Panel member for Bike Grey Lynn’s Quick Smart speaker series on 28 June
- Sam Judd farewell from Sustainable coastlines on 3 July
- NZ Trio concert Origins at the Concert Chamber on 6 July (this was the first live performance at the Town Hall post lockdown)
- Piki Toi exhibition opening on 6 July at Merge Cafe
Other matters
Emergency Budget 2020/2021
Consultation on the Emergency Budget ended on 19 June.
During the consultation period I participated in three online community webinars. A Have your Say event for regional stakeholders was held on 10 June.
A record 34,000 submissions were received through the three weeks consultation period.
The budget and consultation were in response to the financial impact of COVID-19. At the start of the consultation the forecast shortfall in revenue was of more than half a billion dollars over the next financial year.
Unfortunately, it is likely a further $224m needs to be found for Watercare measures to increase the supply of water in the face of the worst drought ever experienced in the city. This number is higher than the estimate provided in the draft emergency budget documentation and places further pressure on the council.
A series of workshop are underway to discuss the feedback and all elements of the budget leading up to the final decision on 16 July.
Safe Speeds
From 30 June most of Auckland’s city centre moved to a speed limit of 30km/h (the current 10km/h combined pedestrian and vehicle zones will remain). Speed limits on Hobson, Fanshawe and Nelson streets will be reduced to 40km/h instead of 30km/h.
This is a major milestone since Auckland became a Vision Zero region last year. Rodney Local Board member Louise Johnston. (Attachment 2: Opinion piece: Together our streets can be safer)
Innovating Streets
The temporary COVID-19 works installed in the northern end of Queen Street were planned to undergo some refinement over the week beginning 5 July. These improvements are based on feedback received from businesses and residents to make the purpose of the new spaces clearer for users and improve the overall appearance of Queen Street.
Later this month, the ‘Access for Everyone’ pilot for the Waihorotiu Queen Street Valley will begin through a co-design process, which will test new ways to lay out Queen Street prioritising space for pedestrians. Access for buses, emergency and service vehicles will be retained, while non-essential traffic will be discouraged. The pilot is funded from NZTA’s innovating streets fund and the City Centre Targeted rate. (Attachment 3: Our Auckland Access for Everyone Pilot to begin on Queen Street)