Tag: Parnell Station

Chair’s monthly report August 2017

Report covering the period 10 July until 6 August 2017.

Highlights

  • Fukuoka Garden opens:  It has now been over three and half years since the loss of the original garden in the zoo so it was a great pleasure to attend the opening on 17 July and to celebrate the hard work of the many people involved with re-establishing the Fukuoka Friendship Garden including the original garden designer Professor Kubota.   A large delegation led by Mayor Takashima attended from Fukuoka to strengthen the sister city ties. (Attachment A Beautifully crafted Japanese garden blooms again Ponsonby News column)
  • Gave the Opening Address at the Economic Development Masterclass Local Economic Development Masterclass; Supporting economic resilience and was part of a panel discussion with Neil McInroy – Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Gael Surgenor – GM The Southern Initiative,  Riria Te Kanawa – KPMG – Author of Māui Rau: from signal to action. A report on the Māori economy. (Attachment B)
  • Two solar-powered device-charging tables installed at Aotea Square and Victoria Park.  An idea that came from the Board’s Low Carbon Action Plan (Photo right with Board Member Thomas at the charging table in Aotea Square)
  • Attended the LGNZ Annual conference as the Board’s delegate 23- 25 July and Local Board representative with the Auckland Council delegation to the LGNZ AGM on 25 July (Conference report back Attachment C).
  • Presented the prizes for an Auckland Transport road safety poster competition at Richmond Road School.  Congratulations to runners up  Jenna Ivanov-Fesien, Mahina Mareroa  Morgan Laird
  • and winner Lily Smith. The winning poster is going to be super sized and used for traffic management for the Ponsonby Road Pedestrian improvement project works.
  • The renewal and upgrade of the upper Pt Resolution/Taurarua stairs and the concrete path from the top of the stairs to the park entrance are complete as well as the section of path between the stairs.  This completes three stages of the renewals/upgrades that form the Pt Resolution/Taurarua Development Plan. The next stage will be the renewal/upgrade of the fencing around the top of the park. This is being scoped and a proposal will be presented to the local board in November 2017 for consideration and feedback.
  • After a lengthy delay weed control has taken place in the Rose Road Gully (Grey Lynn Park) with funding provided by the Board.  Further weed control works are to be completed with an ongoing maintenance and restoration programme involving community volunteers.

Meetings and workshops: 10 July until 4 August

  • Weekly Chair’s meeting every Monday morning
  • Monthly Local Board Chairs’ Forum on 10 July
  • Business meeting run through
  • Waitematā Local Board workshops on 11, 18 July and 1 August
  • Local Economic Development Masterclass; Supporting economic resilience on 12 July (Attachment B)
  • Parks Portfolio discussion – including parks related Community Facilities matters on 12 July
  • PBA Board meeting on 13 July
  • Meeting with Jenny Hutchings, Mapura Studios on 13 July
  • Meeting on 14 July with John Elliott, Ponsonby News to discuss glysophate spraying issues in Waitematā.
  • Briefing on the Dilworth Terrace Housings viewshaft 14 July
  • Attended the Grafton Residential Parking Zone Public open day held by Auckland Transport on 15 July
  • Local Boards sub-regional workshop on 17 July
  • Engagement Walk-Through on Homelessness (Attachment D)
  • Attended the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel meeting on 17 July and gave a short presentation to introduce the Board.
  • Meeting with Mayor Goff on 18 July to consider council’s position on remits submitted to the LGNZ AGM
  • Parnell Station visit with Simon Wilson for an article in the Spinoff (Attachment E)
  • Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 18 July
  • Meet the Epsom candidates meeting hosting by Parnell Business Association on 18 July at Jubilee Buildings
  • Meeting to discuss Waitemata Good Citizens Awards 2017 on 19 July
  • Monthly comms meeting on 19 July
  • Meeting with Kathryn King, Walking and Cycling Manager to discuss the prioritisation process for cycling projects including the old Parnell Tunnel Greenway
  • Catch up with General Manager, K’rd Business Association
  • Meeting with the CEO of Sport Auckland
  • Annual BID presentation by Ponsonby Business Association on 20 July
  • Interview with BID programme team member on 21 July for an article to be published on Auckland Council’s BID website (Attachment F)
  • Attended the LGNZ Annual conference as the Board’s delegate 23- 25 July (Conference report back Attachment C)
  • Auckland Council delegate to the LGNZ AGM on 25 July
  • Planning Committee briefing on Commercial Bay
  • Attended the Heritage Advisory Panel meeting on 25 July to hear a presentation on the restoration of Parnell Station
  • Friends of Symonds St AGM on 25 July
  • Handover meeting with Kathryn Martin, Acting Relationship Manager before her return to Rodney Local Board and farewell on 26 July
  • Meeting on with Business Lab to finalise the City Fringe Economic Development Action plan refresh
  • Meeting on 26 July with Victoria Carter and Ben Carter, City Hop car share
  • Meeting on 27 July with officers to discuss meeting planned with Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club
  • Inner City Network Meeting on 27 July held at Studio One with a presentation on Civil Defence & Emergency Management
  • Site visit to Didas Café to discuss flooding issues
  • Catch up with James Wilson, Q Theatre CEO and Catherine George, at Q Theatre on 28 July
  • Interview with Julie Fairey for Red Alert radio on Planet FM
  • Auckland Paths Leadership Group meeting on 31 July
  • Meeting to discuss Achievements Report on 1 August
  • Transport portfolio catch up on 2 August
  • Joint Local Board Chairs and Governing body members meeting with Mayor Goff
  • Meeting with 254 Ponsonby Road community- led engagement group on 4 August

Events and functions:  10 July until 6 August

  • The Road That Wasn’t There at Herald Theatre on 11 July
  • My Best Dead Friend at Q Theatre on 12 July
  • Viewing of a new work in development called ‘The Secret Thief’ from the Lights Out Project funded by CNZ at the invitation of TAPAC on 15 July
  • Opening of Fukuoka Gardens at Western Springs on 17 July (Attachment A)
  • Opening of the New Zealand International Film Festival at Civic Theatre on 20 July
  • Event with the PM Rt Hon Bill English to hear the PM’s views on Auckland’s future hosted by Heart of the City at Warren & Mahoney on 27 July
  • Fundraising Art Exhibition hosted by the Ponsonby Cruising Club on 28 July
  • Commentator with Alan Johnson at the NZ Fabian Society’s Election series:  For the Love of Auckland; Housing, Transport, Doing better for the City discussion with Phil Tyford and Julie Anne Genter. Held at the University of Auckland, Business School on 31 July
  • Greens Auckland Launch on 1 August
  • Film Festival Screening of Citizen Jane: Battle for the City at ASB Waterfront Theatre
  • Smarts Seeds showcase on 2 August at Aotea Centre at the invitation of Amy Malcolm, University of Auckland
  • Presentation of prizes for Auckland Transport’s road safety poster competition at Richmond Road Primary School assembly on 4 August
  • Interview with David Batten to discuss Reimagining Great North Road community –led plan
  • Launch by Cr Penny Hulse of the Rubbish and Recycling Guide “Feeling Rubbish” for the blind at the Blind Foundation on 5 August
  • Sweet Harmony concert on 5 August starring the Auckland Street Choir in support of Lifewise and the Auckland City Mission
  • Labour’s Transport policy announcement at Wynyard Quarter on 6 August

Gift Declarations

  • Tickets x 2 The Road That Wasn’t There at Herald Theatre and My Dead Best Friend at Q Theatre at the invitation of Zanetti Productions
  • Opening of the New Zealand International Film Festival

Chair’s monthly report March 2017

Report covering the period 10 February until 13 March 2017.

Highlights

  • Following the extreme weather event in March Aucklanders are being urged to reduce water use for several weeks to avoid the need to boil water due to the amount of silt that has entered the treatment plant
  • Consultation got underway on the Annual Budget 2017/18.  The Waitematā Local Board held a Have your Say hearing style event on 8 March attended by Mayor Goff and Councillors Mike Lee, Daniel Newman and Desley Simpson (Photo right). Feedback is open until 27 March
  • Guest speaker at an International Women’s Day morning tea hosted by Panuku Development Auckland
  • Auckland Arts Festival 2017 started on 8 March
  • Beating the Bounds triennial event on 4 March in partnership with Walk Auckland. A walk of the Waitemata Local Board boundary from Meola Reef to Pt Resolution
  • Construction has started on the Grey Lynn Pump Track (a community-led project), Grey Lynn Greenways route connecting Coxs Bay to Grey Lynn Park and on the Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Improvement Project
  • Waitemata Youth Collective at Myers Park Medley

    Myers Park Medley successfully held on 26 February (photo right with members of the Waitemata Youth Collective at their engagement stand)

  • Myers Park Splash pad opened (photo below)
  • 245 Ponsonby Road community-led design exhibition and voting on the preferred concept (underway until 19 March)
  • Opening of the Parnell Train Station on 13 March (Attachment A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meetings and workshops: 11 February until 14 March 2017

  • Local Board Chairs’ Forum on 13 February and 13 March
  • Waitematā Local Board workshops 14, 23, 28 February and 1, 7, 14 March
  • Professional development sessions (Kura Kawana): Engaging with Maori and Wellbeing & Resilience
  • Meeting with Panuku to discuss St Mary’s Bay Water quality project
  • Domain Committee Chair introductory meeting on 15 February with Rod Sheridan, Community Facilities Manager to discuss proposed maintenance approach in the Auckland Domain
  • Wai O Rea Central Community Recovery Centre Project Design Workshop Workshop with Albert-Eden and Puketapapa Local Boards on 16 February
  • Domain Committee agenda run through on 17 February
  • Meeting to discuss Poynton Terrace Streetscape upgrade
  • Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 21 February
  • Elected Member Communications & Engagement reference group meeting on 22 February
  • Briefing by Auckland Transport on CRL development, Albert Street design
  • Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting (as alternate)
  • Site visit to Hopetoun Street to meet with residents concerned about a number of safety and street maintenance issues
  • Briefing from the Auckland Museum on 23 February
  • Inner City Network Monthly Meeting on 23 February
  • Waitemata Youth Collective meeting with the Board on 23 February
  • ‘Delivering for Auckland Symposium’ for all elected members on 24 February
  • Monthly regional workshop for elected members on 27 February
  • Auckland Domain Committee Workshop and Meeting on 28 February
  • Weekly Chair’s meeting every Monday morning
  • Agenda run-through with the Deputy Chair on 8 March
  • Transport portfolio catch up on 1 March
  • Meeting to discuss Italian Festival 2017 with the Events portfolio and Festival organiser on 2 March
  • Introduction meeting with Auckland Police Commander Matt Srhoj
  • Regular catch up meeting with Newmarket Business Association General Manager
  • Meeting with Chair, Friends of Symonds St cemetery on 3 March
  • Meeting to discuss transport outcome for the draft Local Board Plan 2017
  • Western Bays Community Group AGM and presentation on the Annual Budget 1207/18
  • PBA board meeting on 9 March
  • Meeting with Auckland Design Office regarding traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements on Shortland Street
  • Presentation by Heart of the City to the Board and discussion on City Centre issues on 9 March
  • Joint planning Committee and Local Board workshop: City Centre and Waterfront work programme (City Building: Auckland Transport’s “expectations” should not dictate our planning Attachment C)

Events and functions:  10 February until 14 March 2017

  • Rainbow Youth Open Day and exhibition (sponsored by the Waitemata Local Board) on 11 February (photo right)
  • Big Gay Out at Coyle Park on 12 February
  • Revolt. She said. Revolt again at Basement Theatre on 16 February at the invitation of Silo Theatre
  • T20 NZ v SA at Eden Park at the invitation of Auckland Cricket
  • Moa Periscope Launch on 20 February: Child Friendly Development Response in Freyberg Place
  • Launch of the Auckland Fringe Festival on 21 February in Aotea Square
  • Sea Change, Wet Hot Beauties performance at Parnell Baths (at the invitation of Wet Hot Beauties)
  • Attended the Grey Lynn 2030 Repair Cafe on 18 February
  • Watched the Pride Parade in the grandstand on 25 February at the invitation of ATEED (photo right with Brett O’Reilly, ATEED CEO, Stephen Town Auckland Council CEO and Lexie Matheson, Pride Trustee )
  • Opening of Japan Day at the Cloud
  • Myers Park Medley on 26 February
  • Bike Breakfast at Scarecrow Café on 1 March
  • Patrons night at Basement Theatre on 1 March
  • Beating the Bounds on 4 March
  • Ponsonby Park concept designs exhibition on 5 March
  • Stepping up our Climate Game Auckland Conversations on 8 March
  • Opening of the Auckland Arts Festival on 8 March
  • Revolutions: Auckland Art Festival
  • Opening ceremony for Parnell Train Station 13 March (Attachment A)

Gift Declarations

  • Tickets to the T20 NZ v SA at Eden Park at the invitation of Auckland Cricket
  • Tickets to the Auckland Art Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The End: Pt Resolution Bridge

 

 

Opening of the new Parnell Train Station

Opening of the new Parnell Train Station
Cutting the ribbon at the Parnell Station opening with Cr Mike Lee, Mayor Phil Goff and Auckland Transport Chair, Lester Levy

Speech on behalf of the Waitematā Local Board at the Parnell Station Opening ceremony held on 13 March 2017

It is a great honour to represent the Waitematā Local Board and to have the opportunity to speak in front of such a distinguished gathering at a truly momentous occasion for Auckland.  The opening of Parnell station is a significant milestone in the ongoing renaissance of Auckland’s rapid transit network.

I’m also fortunate to be speaking last  – not because I put value in getting the last word but because although there have been many thank yous and tributes there are still important acknowledgements to be made from the Board’s perspective.

I would first like to acknowledge this place. Parnell station is located in the historic Waipapa valley , a site of significance to mana whenua back into time and the early settlers of Auckland who coveted the strategic location and pure waters of Waipapa Stream.

The fact the station is located in the Waipapa valley is thanks in large part to many people gathered here today who fought for the valley’s heritiage to be recognised,  the day lighting of the Waipapa stream, regeneration of the stream banks and to maintain public access to Parnell and the Domain. There is no time to traverse the history now but the Board is looking forward to documenting it with the community and finding ways we can include story telling in the valley and at the station.

I know there is a long roll call of people who played a role – let me acknowledge former Auckland City Councillors Richard Simpson (attending today all the way from Brisbane), Christine Caughey (well ahead of their colleagues at the time in valuing public transport over motorway building madness);  members of Parnell Heritage, Parnell Community Committee Luke Niue, Jennie Goulding, Mary Barry,  Rendell Macintosh, Roger Cole-Bake; Debbie Harkness former Parnell Mainstreet Manager was a strong supporter back in 2008, and more recently Cheryl Adamson and the Parnell Business association all who have helped keep the focus on Parnell as a destination.

Before I turn to the man who deserves recognition as the driving force behind Parnell Station. I’d like to acknowledge those who did the work behind the scenes and deserve to feel very proud today in particular Nick Seymour, who worked on the project for AT from 2008 until September 2016. The early work led by Nick and his team involved preparing the construction of new platforms and station building. That early enabling work involved a monumental earth moving effort without which the station would not likely have been built.

Giving wind to the workers and politicians I acknowledge all the public transport advocates who campaigned for a rail station over the years.

The Waitematā Local Board has supported the Parnell Station project since day one. This is of course down to Councillor Mike Lee.  There has rarely been a local board meeting since 2010 at which Mike hasn’t updated the board on the progress of the Station.  He has fought long and hard for a station in this location starting back in 2007.  As Chairman of the ARC he was also instrumental in saving the critical element of the heritage station.

Thank you Councillor Mike Lee.  A proud day for many people here but particularly you Mike.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge my fellow board members – Shale, Richard, Adriana, Vernon, here today  who led by Shale last term supported the Board funding, from our transport capex fund, the path connection from the platform through the Domain to Carlaw Park.   Thank goodness we do have some skin in the game to justify a spot on the run sheet with the opportunity to give our acknowledgments today!

We look forward to the restoration of the station building; realizing the benefits for Parnell and the expansion of services as the station comes into its own– which is certainly guaranteed once 600 apartments are built right here for gold card users and the connections to the university and Domain are complete.  Thanks to all those who had the vision to see the project through in this location.

Next we’re determined to open up the old Parnell rail tunnel (in better condition than the new tunnel I might add)  to create a unique greenway walking and cycling path from the Strand to Newmarket via Parnell Station. A project we think is worthy of government funding.

Thank you once again for this opportunity to speak today and to acknowledge everyone involved

Related reading

Parnell Station is open, Our Auckland 

Parnell rail station opens with heritage building sporting original colours, NZ Herald