Tag: Auckland Council

Monthly Board Report – February 2013

This is my first report for 2013 covering my activities from 1 December 2012 until 31 January 2013.

Portfolio reports – Transport

The Transport portfolio monthly briefings with Auckland Transport representatives re-commenced on 31 January.   Full details of current proposals and issues are outlined in Auckland Transport’s monthly report attached to the Board agenda.

Parking

The year has started with a number of complaints and concerns about parking. AT has been consulting on a proposal to install a zone of pay and display parking in Eden Tce. The proposal is intended to address the issue of all day commuter parking blocking visitors to local businesses.   I responded directly to Mr Wilson who addressed the Board in December about the scheme and his concern that it doesn’t take into account the needs of residents in a mixed use area. The next step is to hear the results of the consultation and recommendations from AT before taking the proposal further.

The highest number of complaints received by AT come from the Freemans Bay area where commuters are blocking access to on street parking by residents and visitors. I have also responded to a number of calls and emails about this issue.  The transport portfolio has given support for AT to work on a solution that is likely to involve a zone approach with price and/or time restrictions.

AT is looking at the results of the St Marys Bay Residents parking scheme and plans to consult on a proposal for the Freemans Bay area in the next couple of months.

Good for business seminar series

Following on from the successful Good for Business seminar held last year in partnership with Auckland Transport and AECOM I am working with Christopher Dempsey to organise two further seminars aimed at the business community. AECOM have agreed to host a parking seminar and one on the accessibility dollar (as part of our Be.accessible plan). AT have indicated that they will be able to fund a guest speaker for the parking seminar which we are looking to hold in March.

Draft Regional Public Transport Plan

Christopher and I presented the Board’s submission on the Regional Public Transport Plan to the hearings panel on 29 January 2013. A copy of our presentation is attached as ATTACHMENT A.

Grey Lynn Footpath upgrade

Thanks to the advocacy work of the Grey Lynn Business Association and the financial contribution from the Board the renewal of the footpaths at the Grey Lynn shops was able to get underway in January.  Businesses and residents are really pleased to see the works happening. The contractor has worked hard to minimise disruption and to ensure the works are undertaken as smoothly as possible which has been greatly appreciated by the local businesses.

Waitemata GreenwaysGreenways

In January I assisted Shyrel Burt in finalised a consultation plan for our Greenways project. The project featured in Our Auckland and in the Board’s advertorial in February. A Greenways event is planned for 20 February from 4- 7pm at the Richmond Rovers Clubrooms in Grey Lynn Park.

Community Portfolio

During December and starting again in January the community portfolio worked on

  •  Consultation plan for our Local Board Agreement and Unitary Plan engagement
  •  Christmas message from the Board to community representatives
  •  follow up to the Jim Diers inspired neighbourhood planning proposals
  •  feedback on the Thriving Communities Auckland Council’s role in supporting communities to flourish discussion document which is   attached to the February agenda.
  • Planning for a Good Citizen/Volunteer Awards
  •  Proposal for a working group to develop the Ponsonby Road master plan

I also attended the Youth network meeting in December and a quarterly workshop for all community development portfolio holders in the central area.

Grants Committee

The Committee met to consider applications to the second round of community grants funding 2012/13.  A total of $24,649.09 was recommended in grants to the Waitemata Local Board ordinary meeting on 11 December 2011. The minutes of the meeting are available here .

Other board activities

Local Board Workshops and meetings Attended:

  • Waitemata Youth Network meeting on  3 December at Freemans Bay Hall organised by the Community Development team
  • Grants Committee meeting on 3 December
  • Waitemata Local Board workshop on 4 December
  • Community Development portfolio holders (central area) workshop on 6 December
  • Grey Lynn Business Association December meeting
  • Waitemata Local Board monthly meeting in Grey Lynn on 11 December
  • Presentation on O’Connell Street design concepts
  • Community Portfolio meeting on the Thriving Communities discussion document
  • Neighbourhood Planning – Follow up to Jim Diers on 14 December meeting hosted by the Deputy – Mayor
  • Unitary Plan Local Board update session – Central
  • Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Strategy workshop on 17 December –  ­ a progress update workshop for councillors and local board members covering the overall ECCM work programme
  • Follow up meeting – Thriving Communities Discussion document feedback
  • Waitemata Local Board workshop on 18  December
  • Community Development and Partnerships Central monthly update meeting on 19 December
  • Meeting led by the Chair on 19 December with Ashley Church, Newmarket business Association, officers and Tomizone to discuss the extension of the WIFI zone in Newmarket
  • Greenway project consultation planning meeting on 20 December
  • Freyberg Square briefing and input meeting on 20 December
  • Waitemata Local Board Engagement approach for the Local Board Agreement and Unitary Plan on 21 December
  • CEWT Study site walk organised by AT on 15 January – a  walk through the Wellesley and Victoria Streets study area to discuss issues, constraints and opportunities
  • Meeting with AECOM to discuss further Good for Business seminars
  • Scoping the Ponsonby Road Master plan process with planning officers on 16 January
  • Development of an inner-city residents survey meeting with the community portfolio
  • Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway project update at Heart of the City on 16 January
  • Planning meeting for Waitemata Volunteer Awards on 17 January
  • Meeting with Adventure capital CEO to discuss Council street trading by-laws
  • Meeting to discuss Waitemata Local Board’s engagement on the Local Board Agreement on 23 January
  • Community portfolio meeting with Frances Kelliher (Circability Trust) to discuss proposed use of Campbell Free Kindergarten on 23 January
  • Presentation to the Public Hearing on the  Draft Regional Public Transport Plan on 29 January
  • Draft Local Board Agreement advocacy projects meeting
  • Tour of Shed 10 refurbishment with Waterfront Auckland
  • Meeting with AT to receive an update on the Transport Management Association for Wynyard Quarter
  • Transport Portfolio monthly update with Auckland Transport on 31 January
  • Newmarket Business Association meeting to discuss transport matters with David Warburton and senior AT managers on 31 January

Professional development

I attended:

  • The IPANZ Auckland Two Year on Conference on 10 December  – see conference report attached as ATTACHMENT B

Events and functions

I attended the following events and functions during December and January

  • Ponsonby Market Day and Franklin Road Christmas Lights on 1 December
  • Citizenship ceremony on 4 December
  • NZCSI Social Entrepreneurs School Graduation Ceremony,  held at Telecom Place on 5 December
  • Outlook for Someday sustainability film challenge at the Aotea Centre ( I am a trustee of Connected media that runs the challenge)
  • Cycle Action Associates breakfast on 5 December at the Art Gallery
  • Western Park Christmas carols hosted by the Board on Sunday 9 DecemberWestern Park carols
  • Western Bays Community Group meeting on 10 December
  • Grey Lynn Business Association Christmas drinks
  • Parnell Inc Christmas drinks
  • Jacobs Ladder Footbridge Official Opening – invitation of the NZ Transport Agency on 15 December
  • Kahui Kaumatua Christmas Luncheon at the Council Chambers (as alternative for the Chair) on 19 December
  • British High Commission ‘Great History – Great Future’ Reception for the Rt Hon William Hague on 15 January at Sale Street

Monthly Board Report July 2011

Covering activities from 1 June – 30 June 2011

Portfolio reports for the month

Transport

The Transport portfolio meets monthly with representatives from Auckland Transport. The June meeting was attended by myself and Jesse Chalmers (Transport Portfolio – West) and Christopher Dempsey (Transport Portfolio – East).  We received updates on the prioritisation of the minor safety programme and the proposed Opex projects for investigation in 2011/12. We were also updated on the K’rd bus shelter project by Opus. Updates to matters on our Issues Register are reported on each month by Auckland Transport at our Board meeting (the full reports are available at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitemataunder agendas)

Auckland Transport also briefed the Board (Transport Portfolio) on the minor works planned as part of the Mt Eden Rd corridors for the Rugby World Cup and on the outcome of the Central Flagship project consultation that will see new bus routes and services commence from 14 August (attended by myself and Chair, Shale Chambers together with members of the Albert- Eden Local Board) Relevant to the transport portfolio, I also attended during June:

  • Transport Committee on 7 June  for the Central City Rail Link presentation
  • Walk around Newmarket streets with the Newmarket Business Association to view concerns raised by local business owners (together with Greg Moyle and Rob Thomas)
  • Quarterly Regional Walking and Cycling Forum organised by Auckland Transport
  • Sustainable Transport Advocates meeting
  • “Greenways” presentation by Stephen Smythe

I met local residents regarding transport issues on Ponsonby Road (together with Tricia Reade), Maxwell Street and Bayard Street (together with Jesse Chalmers)

Community Engagement

I assisted the Chair in finalising the draft Waitemata Local Board Plan following the resolution from the Board at our June meeting that confirmed agreement on the text of the plan for consultation using the Special Consultation Procedure (SCP). I also participated in discussions to determine our strategy for the SCP I attended the second Regional Communities Summit organised by Auckland Communities Development Alliance (ACDA) on 1 July with Board member Tricia Reade. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor were both guest speakers.

I organised a Save the Grey Lynn Post office on 8 June on behalf of Grey Lynn 2030 and the Grey Lynn Business Association. More than 50 residents attended to raise their concerns regarding the downgrading of services in Grey Lynn. A follow up meeting was held with NZ Post on 28 June.

Libraries

The first Auckland Libraries and Information Quarterly Report (January – April 2011) was received at the Board’s June meeting (see June agenda). It was noted at the meeting that the library service is working extremely well and that no issues of concern have been raised by residents with the Board.

Other board activities

I was acting Chair for the week beginning 27 June. During this week I worked with Council officers to finalise the communications with regards to our draft Local Board Plan and details of our Board’s achievements since 1 November 2010 which will be included in the Auckland Council’s annual report.

Local Board briefings

Attended:

  • Auckland Council Waste Management and Minimisation Plan briefing session to Local Boards on 10 June
  • Youth Engagement briefing hosted by Community Developments & Partnerships with members of the Youth Panel on 29 June at Manukau

Local Board Workshops

Attended:

  • Naming of the Gateway plaza workshop with John Gundesen from Waterfront Auckland on 1 June
  • 8 June workshop on Myers Park and the Waste Minimisation plan

Meetings

Attended:

  • Orakei Local Board meeting on 1 June
  • Minister of Immigration, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman presentation to the Economic Forum on 2 June
  • Monthly catch up with Auckland Central  MP Nikki Kaye to discuss local issues
  • Meeting with Louise Mason (Arts, Culture and Recreation) and Ian Maxwell (Parks) to talk about the reprioritisation of existing budgets in the Local Board Agreement.
  • St Mary’s Bay Weed Clearance – meeting with Auckland Council officers, St Mary’s Bay residents, Victoria Tunnel Alliance and Board members (myself and Jesse Chambers as SLIPS champion for the project) to discuss actions and funding required to clear the St Mary’s Bay cliffs of weeds with the support of local residents
  • Grey Lynn Business Association meeting on 15 June
  • St Mary’s Bay Residents Association AGM on 28 June to give an update on the weed clearance project

Professional Development

  • All day course on Financial Governance organised by LGNZ
  • Lunchtime learning – “Greening the City by innovative water management” with Hans Schreier

Events

Following our May resolution to become a Fairtrade Local Board we are now serving Fairtrade team and coffee in our meetings. I attended Good magazine’s Fairtrade Cocktail Soiree in honour of Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the UK’s Fairtrade Foundation who was visiting NZ  and the panel discussion “How to change the world one banana at a time” with Harriet Lamb as a guest speaker.

On behalf of Auckland Council I spoke at the launch of Conscious Consumer a project supported by the Council that awards badges to participating cafes that have demonstrated a commitment to socially and environmentally conscious business practices including Fairtrade and waste minimisation.

I also attended the following events during June:

  • Book launch “Growth Misconduct” with guest speaker Roger Blakely at Pioneer Woman’s Hall
  • Private Screening of ‘A Rotten Shame’ – the Homeowners and Buyers Association fundraiser
  • Grey Lynn Business Association June networking drinks
  • The Tiramarama VIP Function and Concert supported by Auckland Council as part of the Matariki Festival