Long Term plan Archives

Monthly Board report July 2015

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 1 June – 7 July 2015 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board, Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.

I have also been acting Chair from 19 June – 10 July.

HIGHLIGHTS

Costley Reserve playground opening on 27 June

Urban Cycleways programme

Since December 2014 I have been a member of the Urban Cycleways Investment Panel. The Panel considered proposed cycleway projects that Councils from across the country put forward for funding from the $100m urban cycling fund, and provided recommendations to the Minister of Transport on the final Urban Cycleway Programme.

On 25 June I attended the launch of the programme by the Prime Minister and Minister of Transport in Rotorua (see Attachment A). On the same day as the launch the governing body signed off the Long -Term Plan budget including the local share of a $124m three year walking and cycling programme which should deliver 52 kilometres of new cycleways.

This is great news especially for the Waitematā Local Board area. After many years of the Board advocating for dedicated cycleways and the completion of the Auckland Cycle Network we will see the acceleration of projects with safe connections on Great North Road, Surry Crescent, Gladstone Road, a Western Connection via Sarsfield St together with city centre routes.

Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan

The 10-year budget that was adopted on 25 June by the governing body includes the funded priorities for each local board. The Waitematā Local Board consulted on the following proposals for the next 10 years:

complete the Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway
upgrade Newmarket Laneways public realm to provide a safer and more vibrant environment for pedestrians and shoppers
deliver the Western Springs Native Bush Restoration Plan
redevelop Pioneer Womens and Ellen Melville Hall as a city centre community hub
continue the delivery of the Waipapa Stream restoration and ecological project
support local community services, events and grants
continue to deliver initiatives from our local board plan.

Of the 1,412 submissions received, 745 made comments on the local proposals. Overall the majority of these respondents supported the local proposed projects for 2015/2016 and 2016-2025. In particular, there was support for the implementation of the Waipapa Stream and the Western Springs native bush restoration, the completion of the Weona-Westmere walkway and delivery of local events. There was also strong opposition towards reducing local library opening hours.

After considering the feedback, the board has funded the proposals listed above, and has reduced the budget from $100,000 to $75,000 for a temporary arts and culture POP programme for which there was lower support. The Board has also allocated funding to support increasing Grey Lynn Library’s opening hours by half an hour a week. (refer Auckland Council media release Attachment B)

Skypath

Resource consent for the walking and cycling pathway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge (Skypath) was granted on 3 July. This is a significant milestone in a 10 year long campaign to establish this critical link in Auckland’s cycling network.

The Waitematā Local Board has consistently supported the Skypath project. (Photo right from the Get Across protest in 2009 when thousands enjoyed walking and cycling over the bridge)

Grandstand Drive improved for people to enjoy the Domain

It is surprisingly difficult to move around the Domain without coming into conflict with cars or running out of footpath so it is great to see the parks team have closed the parking on Grandstand drive (due to the risk posed by the oak trees). This is hopefully the start of many further improvements that will progress through the Domain masterplan (to be consulted on in August) and the Museum’s work to improve walking connections.

New footpath programme 15/16

The Transport portfolio provided input to Auckland Transport’s new footpath work programme 15/16. In Attachment C I explain how I finalised a list of locations with assistance from the public.

Tactical Urbanism workshop

I attended a workshop with Mike Lydon, Principal Street Plans Collaborative – New York to and author of Tactical Urbanism: Short-term Action for Long-term Change, a book that shares techniques for ambitiously jump starting projects in the urban realm.

The workshop (hosted by Waterfront Auckland, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport) focused on the opportunities afforded by tactical urbanism, how the ‘lighter, cheaper, faster’ methodology can better deliver desired outcomes for the city, what obstacles lay in the way of achieving the desired outcomes and how we best work together to mitigate these obstacles and achieve the vision for Auckland as the world’s most liveable city.

The city centre team have a budget of $800k for tactical urbanism projects like pop-up parks. It is great to see that many examples of “tactical urbanism” are already springing up in the community without any support from Council (for example the tree pit in the photo was recently planted after being empty for some time).

New initiative: Vision Zero

Tragically Mr Robert Su was killed on Fanshawe St on 2 June (early indications are that he was crossing at the pedestrian crossing with the green man when he was hit by a speeding truck). In Attachment D I outline why I think the time has come for Vision Zero Auckland.

Not long after the crash on Fanshawe St Auckland Transport started a misguided and patronising “cross safely with the green man” campaign aimed at the victims of traffic violence. I have raised my concern with Auckland Transport that this kind of approach is shown not to be effective and that resources should be directed at measures that improve pedestrian safety (eg road design, enforcement, speed reduction).

Workshops and meetings

From 1 June to 7 July I attended:

Waitematā Local Board workshop on 2 June
Two days of the Skypath resource consent hearing
Visit to the Art of remembrance installation at St David’s church to meet Paul Baragwanath, Trustee Friends of St David
Communications update with the Local Board communications advisor
Engagement adviser update
Draft Newmarket Laneways plan open day on Osborne St, Newmarket on Saturday 6 June
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 9 June in Parnell
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 10 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 11 June
Draft Newmarket Laneways plan- Stakeholder Workshop at the Rialto Cinema on 11 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 16 June
Community Meeting on Western Park Development Plan consultation feedback on 16 June
Newmarket Laneways Member Working Group Update on 17 June
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 17 June
Meeting to discuss up- coming playground openings
Tactical Urbanism workshop with Mike Lydon hosted by Waterfront Auckland on 22 June
Local Board Chairs Forum on 22 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 23 June
Meeting with Ponsonby Business Association reps to discuss parking proposals
Franklin Road residents meeting hosted by Auckland Transport to discuss progress on the upgrade of Franklin Road on 23 June
Elected member professional development working group meeting
Central joint funding committee reestablishment meeting with representatives from Albert-Eden, Orakei, Maungakiekie-Tamaki and Puketapapa Local Boards
Senior Advisor/ Relationship manager weekly chairs meeting
Ponsonby Community Centre management committee meeting
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 30 June
Meeting to discuss Auckland Transport’s wayfinding signage proposals
Auckland Cycle Forum on 30 June at GridAKL
Community Development portfolio monthly update on 1 July
Meeting with Matt Ball, Ports of Auckland to discuss proposed Rainbow Warrior memorial art installation
Lunchtime learning: Auckland’s Green Lifeline – presentation by Andrea Reid about a new movement that aims to connect Auckland’s parks and reserves together to make pollination pathways.
Visited the homelessness Wānaga at Tātai Hono Marae, Grafton hosted by Te Puni Kokiri for Matariki

Events and functions

From 1 June – 7 July attended:

Parnell Baths book launch at the Parnell library on 4 June (photo right)
Italian National Day piano concert at the invitation of Dante Alighieri Auckland
Parnell Heritage and RSC-Anzac Celebration with member Greg Moyle as guest speaker at the Parnell RSC
Kiss the Fish at Q Theatre at the invitation of Indian Ink Theatre Company
Waipapa Stream planting day on Saturday 13 June
Waitemata Local Board Good Citizen Awards at the Town Hall on 17 June
Newmarket Business Association business awards at the Auckland museum at the invitation of the NBA on 19 June
Launch of Greater Auckland on 21 June at Golden Dawn
Launch of the Urban Cycleways Programme in Rotorua on 25 June
Costley Reserve playground opening on 27 June
Breakfast celebration at the Zoo to welcome the new elephant Anjalee at the invitation of Regional Facilities Auckland
Associates breakfast – urban design, cycling and transport discussion on 2 July at the Auckland Art Gallery
Auckland Conversation: Mary Jane Jacob Public Art – what is it good for? on 2 July at St James Theatre
Opening of the World Press Photography exhibition at Smith & Caughey on 3 July
Skypath resource consent approval celebration at the Northcote Tavern on 3 July
Pecha Kucha cycling edition on 7 July at Shed 10 hosted by Auckland Transport

Auckland Council Long Term Plan – Waitemata funding decisions

Auckland Council Media Release

29 June 2015

Key Waitematā Local Board projects funded

Completion of the Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway, continuing the Waipapa Stream restoration and delivering the Western Springs Native Bush Restoration Plan are some of the key Waitematā Local Board projects being funded as a result of public feedback on Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget proposals.

The Waitematā Local Board received 1,412 written submissions. The majority of people who commented on the local proposals supported the board’s initiatives for the coming year 2015-16 and for the Council’s 2016-25 budget.

Other Waitematā Local Board projects being funded include:

redeveloping Pioneer Womens and Ellen Melville Hall as a city centre community hub
upgrading Newmarket Laneways public realm to provide a safer and more vibrant environment for pedestrians and shoppers
supporting local community services, events and grants.

After strong opposition to reducing local library opening hours, the local board has also allocated funding to extend Grey Lynn library’s opening hours by half-an-hour a week.

The board will continue to advocate to council’s governing body and Auckland Transport for investment to improve walking, cycling and road safety.

This includes making a case for a regional budget to allow the implementation of local board Greenway Plans across Auckland.

“We are privileged to have one of Auckland’s most engaged and active communities,” says Waitematā Local Board deputy chair Pippa Coom.

“This is reflected in the quality of the feedback. We’ve listened through the consultation process about the projects the community wants funded.

“The feedback also confirmed that our priorities should continue to focus on a high quality urban design, protecting heritage, advocating for transport improvements and looking after the environment.”

After considering the feedback received, the local board reduced the budget for a temporary arts and culture POP programme – for which there was less support – from $100,000 to $75,000.

The 10-year Budget was adopted by council’s Governing Body at its meeting last Thursday, 25 June.

A full summary of budget decisions, regional and local, can be found at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/longtermplan.

Fixing the traffic in a successful city

The Council’s consultation on the 10 year budget (Long Term Plan) has been a catalyst for a wide-ranging conversation about our city’s transport priorities and investment. “Fixing Transport” is highlighted as one of the 4 key issues facing Auckland.

The Mayor has led the way in asking Aucklanders to consider the choices. Do we accept a basic transport network which costs less, or do we invest more to get the advanced transport programme set out in the 30-year vision for our region known as the Auckland Plan. The Auckland Plan transport network includes the new roads, rail, ferries, busways and cycleways our city desperately needs. (From Council’s consultation material)

I was on the panel for the Auckland Conversation event Fixing Auckland’s Transport – the 10 year budget (as a local board member and member of the Urban Cycling Investment panel) to discuss the transport options.

The MC Fran O’Sullivan asked panelists to consider a few points that we wished to get across. Here are mine in a bit more detail than discussed on the night . I’ve also referenced the quotes that I referred to.

What do we really mean by “Fixing” Auckland’s transport.

Brent Toderian (Vancouver’s former Chief Planner and an Auckland Conversations presenter ) says “you can’t fix traffic in a successful city – you have to change it”.
“fixing” is unlikely to result in “getting the traffic moving” for all trips ie there will always be congestion at peak for single occupancy private vehicles.
in order to fix transport we need to re-think mobility and provide transport choice (As Florian Lennert presented at the the Velo city conference last year – the future of transport is “multi-modal sustainable mobility” ). If people are provided safe, effective transport choices it will create more space on the road for the vehicles that need to be there which benefits everyone.

Efficient & smart investment

The presentation of 2 stark choices has been great for forcing the debate about much needed transport investment (and I applaud the Mayor for leading that debate) but I think we have been provided with a Hobson’s choice on the 2 plans. All the benefits for active transport/PT are locked up in the Advanced transport programme (that also included low value roading projects)
Either alternative funding option is going to take at least 2 years to implement so we have to get the “basic” plan right in the meantime to meet Local Board priorities. Can’t have a basic plan that doesn’t provide for “basic” community needs. Eg There is no cycling investment in the first 3 years of the basic plan – this is unacceptable ( feedback so far shows strongest support for AT to focus more on cycling)
Also if cycling investment not included in the final transport programme Auckland cannot leverage off the Urban Cycling Investment Fund established last year by the Govt- there is $90m available over the next 3 years with up to 50% ear marked for Auckland if a local contribution is available
There is huge demand for transport choices to include cycling and there has never been a better time to invest in cycling but the current AT investment proposal in draft RLTP means Auckland is going to miss out on the funds available

The investment model

I agree we need funding for transport investment other than from rates but we are letting the Government off the hook. The Government needs to bring forward their contribution on the CRL and fund PT investment in the same way as state highways – this would be a game changer for the transport budget and the level of alternative funding required
I accept that there is a transport investment funding gap that can not be met out of rates. I support that gap being met from fuel tax as the most preferred option. From a local board perspective motorway tolling is not desirable because of the administration cost, impact on low income households and the negative impact on local roads.

Efficient & smart investment

Even if we agree on alternative funding I think we have been provided with a Hobson’s choice on the 2 plans. All the benefits for active transport/PT are locked up in the alternative funding plan
Either alternative funding option is going to take at least 2 years to implement so we have to get the “basic” plan right in the meantime. Can’t have a basic plan that doesn’t provide for “basic” community needs. Eg There is no cycling investment in the first 3 years of the basic plan – this is unacceptable ( feedback so far shows strongest support for AT to focus more on cycling)
Also if cycling investment not included in the basic plan Auckland cannot leverage off the Urban Cycling Investment Fund established last year by the Govt- there is $90m available this financial year with up to 50% ear marked for Auckland if a local contribution is available
Key point – there is huge demand for transport choices to include cycling and there has never been a better time to invest in cycling but the current AT investment proposal in draft RLTP means Auckland is going to miss out on the funds available

In my concluding comments I mentioned that the Waitemata Local Board has committed to being a UNICEF accredited child- friendly area. At the heart of the initiative is controlling speed and creating an environment where kids are invited to sit, play and walk. I quoted Rodney Tolley who said at a recent Child Friendly Waitemata workshop that “a walking city is a paradise for kids”

I think we often forget who we are building a city for and our focus should be on making the city a great place for children (so far we have let traffic engineers design it to the detriment of everyone).

More on the transport discussion

Transport Blog – Is PT, Walking and Cycling Advocacy “Leftist”

Submit for an essential budget

Council’s online submission form

Open letter to a car addicted city – Brent Toderian’s letter to Perth (but equally relevant to Auckland)

Auckland Conversations: Fixing Auckland’s Transport

Auckland Conversations is an exciting series featuring leaders and experts in design, planning, heritage, environment and socio-economics discussing the issues facing Auckland’s development. Tonight Auckland Conversations tackles the topic of Transport and I am really delighted to be one of the panelists.

Fixing Auckland’s Transport – The 10-Year Budget 2015-2025

Monday 2 March, doors open 5pm for a 5.30pm start
Lower NZI Conference Room, Aotea Centre, central Auckland

Auckland is the country’s fastest-growing region with transport considered the single biggest issue. Major investment will be needed in the next decade to avoid worsening congestion and the impact this will have on our economy, environment and way of life.

We have a choice to make. Do we accept a basic transport network which costs less, or do we invest more to get the advanced transport programme set out in the 30-year vision for our region, known as the Auckland Plan.

If we choose to fix Auckland’s transport issues and get our city moving, we need to consider how we should pay for it. This could be through increased fuel taxes and higher rates, or through the introduction of a new motorway charge.

Hear from a range of experts who will outline the key transport issues facing Aucklanders in the 10-year budget.

MC Fran O’Sullivan – NZ Herald

Presentation: Mayor Len Brown: The 10 Year Budget and outline of Transport Options

Panellists

David Warburton – CEO, Auckland Transport

Sudhvir Singh – Generation Zero

Peter Winder – Transport Funding – Independent Advisory Board

Patrick Reynolds – Transport Blog

Pippa Coom – Waitematā Local Board

More information on Shape.co.nz Fixing Auckland’s Transport