Tāmaki Makaurau has had an aspiration to deliver a safe, connected cycling network since the former Auckland Regional Council signed off plans in the mid-2000s which were then adopted in the Supercity’s first Auckland Plan.
Since then, funding and delivery has been patchy and compared to many cities worldwide, Auckland’s cycling mode share by distance and trips remains low at 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent respectively. This is often blamed on the weather and the hills, however international studies show that the biggest factor to determine cycling rates is the availability of safe, connected cycling infrastructure. E-bikes further neutralise the effect of Auckland’s geography making riding a viable transport option across our region.
We also know there is huge demand to be able to cycle safely. Where cycleways are built riders flock to them, for example, our North Western Cycleway has had a ridership increase of 128 percent between 2015 and 2019 (as measured at Kingsland). Most Aucklanders own a bike and a recent survey found 56 percent of Aucklanders would cycle (or cycle more often) if it felt safe.
There is often the misconception that the push is to get everyone onto bikes for every trip. This isn’t desirable or practicable. To achieve Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri Auckland’s climate plan transport emissions reduction target of 64 percent by 2030 we need to aim for at least 7 percent cycle mode share by distance. This perhaps sounds like a lot, but it might mean using a bike or e-scooter for just a couple of trips a week or for every trip under two kilometres. It is also about making it safe for kids to get to school independently so we can take a big chunk of the approximately 40,0000 school drop-off trips off the road each day.
It is important to acknowledge there will always be a place for cars to be used in Tāmaki Makaurau, and the good news is more people cycling eases congestion for those who need to drive. It frees up space on our roads for essential trips and freight. More people cycling not only improves liveability, public health, and air quality, it is also good for business and the local economy.
Safe, connected infrastructure benefits everyone including the 30 percent of Aucklanders who don’t drive or can’t drive. Cycleways, wider footpaths and safer connections between our various modes of transport makes our city more accessible for everyone. The idea that roads are just for cars because of “congestion” locks us into transport planning that induces more demand for driving making congestion worse. It is also unfair.
So what is happening to deliver the cycling network – now called the Cycling and Micromobility Network – and provide Aucklanders real options to leave the car at home? $306m has already been allocated in the Regional Land Transport Plan unanimously approved by councillors and supported by all local boards last year to deliver cycling infrastructure over the next ten years. On 5 May the Planning Committee considered the prioritisation of that funding to provide 45 kilometres of safe cycle facilities, as well as concentrated investment in local cycle connections in four key areas (how the decision was reported in Greater Auckland).
Even though completing the Network is great value for money, it wasn’t a meeting to approve funding and no additional funding was approved. But what we do know is that more funding will be needed to reach the 7% cycle mode share by distance goal (estimated to be at least $2 billion) as well as a range of significant policy changes at a national level.
By endorsing the direction of Auckland Transport’s Cycling and Micromobility Programme Business Case, a majority of Councillors have acknowledged the type of investment which will be needed in order to achieve our ambitious cycling mode shift target by 2030. Significantly more funding will be needed in coming years from both Council and Government along with some potentially difficult policy changes to shift New Zealanders’ transport behaviours. With bold decision making and smart urban public policy Tāmaki Makaurau has the potential to unleash significant benefits for all Aucklanders.
The move into Alert Level 3* will be of relief for Aucklanders who have done their bit to keep all of Aotearoa safe but it is not the time to become complacent. Mass mask wearing, getting vaccinated in large numbers and following the golden rules of lockdown gives us the most favourable chance of moving out of restrictions as soon as possible.
A robust health response is the best insurance for avoiding a return Alert Level 4 lockdown. At that setting up to 30% of Auckland’s economic activity is inhibited (approx. $100 million loss in GDP/day), while the reduction caused by Alert Level 2 is around 5%. This represents a significantly disparate impact on Auckland’s economy compared to the rest of New Zealand. Prior to the recent delta outbreak, Auckland had already spent nearly a month longer at Alert Level 3 than the rest of New Zealand due to community cases in August 2020 and February 2021. Over the 12 months ending March 2021, Auckland’s GDP fell 4.1% (-$4.98 billion), while the rest of NZ only fell 1.2% (-$2.38 billion), a $2.6 billion disparity. This aligns with spending data, which shows that spending in Auckland was down 7.5% over the same period, compared to only a 2% drop across the rest of New Zealand.
The hospitality and tourism sectors have been particularly hard hit by the extended lockdown. Due to spending more time at Alert Levels 3 and 2 in August and September 2020, as well as in February and March 2021, Auckland hospitality and accommodation spending was down 20.4% from April 2020 – March 2021, while the fall was only 7.5% across the rest of New Zealand. This data comes from Auckland Unlimited, the council CCO responsible for leading support for business. To receive regular updates subscribe via Business@aucklandnz.com.
Two key areas of financial support for businesses right now are the Resurgence Support Payment and the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Eligible businesses can apply for both of these payments. Helplines like the COVID-19 Business Helpline (0800 500 362) or Pacific Business Trust Helpline (0800 287 7526) are available to talk it through. The Mayor has raised with the Minister of Finance the need for further government support for businesses including extending financial support via the wage subsidy and continued resurgence payments throughout the duration of Alert Level 2. He’s also written to Minister Hipkins asking for consideration to be given to long-term, fit for purpose quarantine facilities out of the city centre.
Council is offering flexibility and support in a more relaxed approach during Alert Level 2 to help the hospitality sector. Fast-tracked new street trading licences and extensions to food-only dining applications are now available to Auckland businesses as they prepare for Alert Level 2 trading. Visit the council website for details. Find out what support is available to Auckland businesses here (this information was updated on 1 October).
I’ve also asked for the 21/22 postponement scheme for business rates to be re-established as I know that is another way council can provide support at this really difficult time. I’ve appreciated hearing from business association representatives with ideas and advice. Auckland Council has a role to reinvigorate economic activity across Auckland and in the city centre, as alert level restrictions allow. Please reach out for the support available.
It was with a sudden jolt that we found ourselves back in lockdown Level 4 council systems were quickly re-activated to ensure essential services continued to operate and council facilities closed down safely. As with the first lockdown, council staff have been redeployed, such as the catering team now providing meals to the City Mission and environmental health officers who are supporting contact tracing efforts.
We are now all very familiar with the health guidelines: stay home except to access essential services, stay within your bubble, wash your hands frequently, wear a face mask, use your QR code if you go out, exercise locally, maintain physical distancing and if you are ill, self-isolate and get tested.
The central place for information is the government’s website covid19.govt.nz. A free Covid-19 helpline service is available for Auckland businesses on 0800 500 362.
Exploring locally for exercise and fresh air provides a welcome break from online meetings and bubble routines. Throughout lockdown, people will be experiencing their streets and neighbourhoods differently due to lower levels of traffic and safer neighbourhoods. It also gives a sense of the enormous change needed to our “normal” lives in order to cut transport emissions by 64 per cent from where we were in 2016 by 2030. Auckland, as New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing city, must make a greater contribution to transport emissions reduction than other parts of the country to achieve New Zealand’s commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Just prior to the lockdown Auckland Council established a Transport Emissions Reference Group to develop options to help achieve the bold emissions-reduction targets outlined in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. The scale of the challenge means a wide range of options and methods will need to be tested. Only radical change will reduce private vehicle demand and increase the uptake of active transport.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Innovating Streets for People programme provides a fund to test out innovations enabling Aucklanders to continue after lockdown to enjoy their neighbourhoods and use streets not
Students from Grey Lynn School thank the innovating streets project team
just as roads, but as public spaces. Councils only have to contribute 10 per cent of any project costs. The ability to pilot new street layouts through the programme enables communities to get a sense of what their streets could be like before a commitment is made to major investment; testing, monitoring, and engagement occurs throughout the trial.
Grey Lynn School is one of a number of schools across Tāmaki Makaurau taking part in Auckland Transport’s Safe School Speeds programme funded through ‘Innovating Streets for People’. The project involves schools working with Auckland Transport to introduce new speed calming measures such as kerb extensions, speed humps, and new painted surfaces to keep children safe. It is not surprising that Grey Lynn School was keen to sign up for the trial. Only recently there was a serious injury crash on Surrey Crescent, and the school reports a lot of near misses and concerns about vehicle speeds on the approach to the school crossings. Travelling at 30km/h or lower outside schools increases driver reaction and stopping time, reducing the chances of serious crash injuries.
The trial will now benefit everyone out walking and cycling during lockdown. Locking-in and expanding the best of all the innovation streets projects will be one of the many emissions reductions pathways to a decarbonised transport future.
My Councillor report covers the period from 8 June 2021 until 9 July 2021. It has been prepared for the July business meetings of the Waitematā Local Board. Monthly reports were also prepared for the Aotea and Waiheke Local Boards.
The purpose of my report is to detail my main activities and to share information with the public and local boards in my ward regarding governing body decisions, my attendance at events, regional consultations, media updates and key issues. This month my report includes a transport update.
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 and Auckland Zone co-chair
Member, Auckland Domain Committee
Member, Appointments and Performance Review Committee
This report includes a transport update regarding the Regional Land Transport Plan, delivery by AT of cycling infrastructure and parking issues in the city centre.
Transport update
The Regional Land Transport Plan: I decided to reluctantly vote for endorsing the RLTP when it came to the Planning Committee on 24 June because of the critical addition of resolutions d) and e) that I worked on with Cr Darby.
d) Noted Auckland Council’s commitment to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri to halve emissions by 2030 requires further change to transport and land use policy and the mix of transport investment.
e) Note that, as requested by the Planning Committee on 11 March, council and Auckland Transport staff are jointly developing a Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for Auckland that will identify the pathways to support the required emissions reductions reflected in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, which includes:
i) investigating the mix of future complementary transport investments that support emissions reduction;
ii) investigating vehicle fleet and fuel decarbonisation;
iii) investigating land transport pricing reform;
iv) investigating urban growth management;
v) investigating road space reallocation;
vi) investigating behaviour change;
vii) investigating addressing inequities arising from the impacts of decarbonisation;
viii) reporting the approach to the Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for Auckland to Environment and Climate Change Committee and the Auckland Transport Board in August 2021 with a progress update by December 2021.
The final RLTP approved by the AT Board only decreases emissions by 1% by 2030 even with the inclusion of the government’s new EV feebate scheme and recent changes to the NZ Upgrade Project therefore a lot now hangs on getting the emissions plan right and aligning it with the RLTP. This is backed up by Council’s support for the most ambitious emissions reductions pathway proposed by the Ministry of Transport.
Parking enforcement in the City Centre: Following a presentation by AT to the Planning Committee on the Downtown Carpark I asked AT to confirm what parking management actions AT is taking currently to support the cultural and economic vibrancy of the city centre. I highlighted a range of examples where it appears AT’s current parking approach actually results in outcomes contrary to AT’s stated goals (as shown in the image right). The response from AT is attached (Attachment 6: Correspondence from Auckland Transport regarding AT’s work to support the cultural and economic vibrancy of the city centre).
The advice from AT regarding St Patricks Square appears to be contradictory however we are moving closer to a temporary designed solution using concrete blocks to stop illegal parking. AT has also confirmed that night patrols have been stepped up for the city centre’s shared spaces.
There are positive suggestions in AT’s response in particular the proposal to appoint a new single point of leadership within AT to oversee cycling outcomes and regarding the need for stronger direction from council on delivery expectations, the trade-offs involved, and the integration of cycling improvements with renewals work. This is linked closely with issues that need to be addressed as part of the development of Auckland’s Transport Emissions Reduction Plan. Auckland Council officials are currently working with AT on these matters.
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 10 June the Environment and Climate Change Committee
Approved the adoption of the Natural Hazards Risk Management Action Plan.
Approved updating the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund guidelines.
Supported in principle Pathway Four for Aotearoa (very strong emphasis on ‘avoid’ and ‘shift’ interventions, with a focus on early implementation) as outlined in the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara – Kia mauri ora ai te iwi: Transport Emissions: Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 and approved delegation of Auckland Council’s submission to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee, the Mayor and Independent Māori Statutory Board Member Glenn Wilcox.
Received a presentation from Auckland Zoo on their sustainability initiatives.
On 14 June the Auckland Domain Committee
Approved in principle the following events to take place in the Auckland Domain for the calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023:
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Pink Ribbon Walk
Cancer Society Walking Stars
Corporate Challenge
Christmas in the Park.
Approved the inclusion of zero waste goal to the Auckland Domain Event Operational Guidelines.
Endorsed the Three-Year Regional Work Programme for the Auckland Domain.
Endorsed parking restrictions for 100 Stanley Street Grafton (this introduces paid parking to the Domain for the first time). Note: On 8 June, to address issues of access, safety and amenity values of the Museum, some carparks were removed from Cenotaph Road and the Museum Circuit and gates were installed at the Titoki Street carpark to deter all day commuter parking
On 15 June The Appointments and Performance Committee
The confidential section of the agenda was with regards to the appointment and re-appointment of CCO directors
I was appointed to the selection panel for a new Auckland Transport director.
On 17 June the Finance and Performance Committee
Approved, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of any required statutory processes the disposal for urban renewal purposes of 24 Upper Municipal Place, Onehunga.
Received the June update on progress of the Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
Agreed to support the continued exploration of opportunities for the use of Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 mechanisms to enable growth infrastructure.
Approved the Auckland Council Group Procurement Policy.
On 22 June the Council Controlled Organisation Oversight Committee
Received the update on the implementation programme for the Council-controlled Organisations Review.
Approved Statement of Expectations for substantive Council-controlled Organisations. I have advocated for the use of section 92 to direct CCO’s to comply with council’s strategies but this was not supported by the Committee.
On 24 June the Governing Body
Approved the Independent Māori Statutory Board’s proposed funding agreement for the 2021/2022 financial year which comprises a total direct funding of $3,025,621 (opex).
Approved the decision-making responsibilities of Auckland Council’s Governing Body and Local Boards policy for inclusion in the long-term plan.
Approved the Bylaw Panel recommendations on the proposed changes to Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ture ā-Rohe Urungi Āhuru / Auckland Council Navigation Bylaw 2021.
Approved the Group Remuneration Policy.
On 24 June the Planning Committee
Endorsed the final 2021-31 Regional Land Transport Plan for submitting to the Auckland Transport Board for final approval
On 29 June the Governing Body
Formally adopted the Recovery Budget (10-year Budget 2021-2031), as the council’s long-term plan for 2021-2031, including 21 local board agreements.
A late change was made to the deaths and serious injuries (DSI) performance measures by Auckland Transport. A target to reduce DSI “by at least 50” in 21/22 was changed to “increase by no more than 70”. I supported the adoption of the budget but not this change.
On 1 July the Planning Committee
Received the Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board input regarding the implementation of resource management and heritage legislation on Aotea/Great Barrier Island and requested that the General Manager Plans and Places and General Manager Resource Consents prepare a memorandum for the Planning Committee on the matters raised. (photo right Chair Izzy Fordham, Local Board member Valmaine Toki and Don Prince presenting to the Committee)
Noted progress towards the Auckland Plan 2050 outcomes in the Annual Monitoring Report 2021.
Following a presentation on the National Policy Statement Urban Development 2020, noted that the Auckland Unitary Plan Regional Policy Statement already includes appropriate policies to enable “well-functioning urban environments”.
Approved the development of a plan change to the Auckland Unitary Plan Regional Policy Statement that includes a new policy (or policies) on reducing green-house gas emissions and criteria that private plan change requests will be required to meet to be considered as adding ‘significant development capacity’ under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.
In response to the intensification provisions of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development, endorsed the approaches in the areas of:
Walkable catchments
Qualifying matters
Special Character Areas Overlay
On 8 July the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee
approved and adopted the Economic Development Action Plan: Council’s role in Auckland’s recovery 2021-24.
approved ‘Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau – Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework’ including the performance measures.
approved 2021/2022 Cultural Initiatives Fund grants, at a total value of $1.2m, for marae and papakāinga/Māori housing development
approved the 2021/2022 financial year Community Facilities Regional Work Programme
approved the 2021/2022 Arts and Culture Regional Work Programme and regional arts organisations’ funding allocations for a three-year term to Q Theatre, $943,944 and Te Tuhi, $604,673
approved the Regional Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant preliminary allocation programme for 2022-2024 and the Regional Sport and Recreation Grants Programme 2021/2022 budget
approved $552,000 for 2021-2022 to Aktive – Auckland Sport & Recreation, for sport and recreation outcomes. Aktive are required to distribute a minimum of $512,000 between their delivery partners: Harbour Sport, Sport Waitakere, Sport Auckland, and CLM Community Sport. Aktive can retain up to $40,000 for regional work programmes
Attendance at events 8 June – 9 July 2021
On 8 June I attended a drop in session for Project WAVE at Sierra Café, Viaduct hosted by Auckland Transport and attended the opening night of The Marriage of Figaro at the invitation of NZ Opera.
On 11 June I spoke at the Karangahape Road Enhancements official opening (Attachment 2 Our Auckland: Celebrating the revamped Karangahape Road) and was hosted on a tour of MOTAT by the CE Michael Frawley with Cr Richard Hills (photo right).
On 12 June I attended Western Springs Lakeside park planting day organized by the Conservation Volunteers.
On 15 June attended an onsite residents meeting on Sentinel Road to discuss maintenance issues
On 16 June I visited Aotea/Great Barrier to attend Marine Education Hui. Students of Aotea presented what they had learnt about marine ecology, their chosen motu-specific environmental issue and their solutions, including their proposed marine protected areas and why there. The event was organized by the S.E.A Trust (Sea Education Aotea) who work with all the local schools to provide sailing and kayaking and water skills training . I was also interviewed for Aotea FM
On 18 June I attended Newmarket Business Awards at the Cordis Hotel at the invitation of the Newmarket Business Association
On 20 June I visited the From the Deck planting day event with the Conservation Volunteers.
On 22 June I attended The Government’s Sea Change Announcement. (See Attachment 3 for the Hauraki Gulf Forum’s press release response to Government’s ‘Revitalising the Gulf).
Also on 22 June I spoke at the launch of Auckland Foundation’s Hauraki Gulf Regeneration Fund. The fund has adopted our goals of riparian planning and shellfish restoration as its initial areas of focus.
On 23 June I attended Waiheke Local Board Business Meeting via Skype and presented my Councillor’s update for June.
On 24 June attended opening night of The Life of Galileo at the invitation of the Auckland Theatre Company.
On 25 June I was interviewed by Jemima Huston on 95bFM where we discussed the Hauraki Gulf regeneration, Karangahape Road enhancements and Matariki celebrations.
Minister Woods cutting the ribbon in the basement carpark of Kokihi apartments
Also on 25 June I attended the Kokihi Official Opening Ceremony, celebrating the opening of 95 new homes, including 47 KiwiBuilds, in Waterview
On 26 June I attended Te Karanga ā Hape, a huge celebration of Karangahape Road and Matariki.
Also on 26 June I attended the New Zealand premiere of The Lion King at Spark Arena.
With Katz who features on the cover of the Piki Toi book supported with funding from the Waitematā Local board
On 1 July attended the Piki toi book launch at Merge Café
On 2 July joined the PM, Mayor and many others to formally open Te Wānanga, the new ‘Tidal Shelf’ that extends out from Quay St in downtown Auckland as part of the upgraded Ferry Basin and Te Ngau o Horotiu the new 6 ferry piers on Queens Wharf. (photo below)
On 4 July attended Auckland Street Choir Matariki waiata fundraising event.
On 5 July attended Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s pōwhiri for Tom Irvine, who is now officially Deputy Director of the gallery.
On 6 July I volunteered at Everybody Eats with the Mayor and Cr Josephine
On 8 July attended the dawn karakia for the Reuben Paterson’s Guide Kaiārahia, a 10 metre high waka that rises from the Auckland Art Gallery’s forecourt pool and in the evening I attended MOTAT’s Love/Science exhibition opening
I was recently invited by the Urban Development Institute of New Zealand (UDINZ) to be part of a panel discussion to take a closer look at the government’s new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) and how it could impact central suburbs like Ponsonby. The event was provocatively headlined “flexible zoning in Ponsonby?” Unsurprisingly this resulted in a number of concerned and curious residents attending. Since the NPS-UD was first consulted on by government in 2019 it has largely so far flown under the radar even though it will have a significant impact on Auckland and other metro centres.
I was on the panel as the local Councillor but as Auckland Council is currently working on an official response to the NPS-UD I provided an update on the process and only a personal view about the likely implications. I was joined on the panel by Chris Crow, Urban Economist PwC (who also gave a scene setting presentation), Geoff Cooper, GM Strategy, NZ Infrastructure Commission, Don Mathieson, Co-Chair, Herne Bay Residents Association and Colin Leuschke, Director, Leuschke Architects.
The Government prepared the NPS-UD as part of its Urban Growth Agenda to address New Zealand’s housing challenges. The NPS-UD 2020 requires councils to plan for growth and ensure a well-functioning urban environment for all people, communities and future generations. It requires Auckland Council to implement a series of prescriptive “intensification” policies relating to height and density through a plan change to the Auckland Unitary Plan by August 2022.
Many will remember the bitter battle and difficult process over the Unitary plan especially with regards to the extent of protection for heritage and special character. The government’s directive to councils to make room for growth and to remove rules that constrain supply means that the Unitary Plan has to be revisited. There is some alignment with the current plan (e.g. allowing more people to live closer to jobs, goods and services, providing greater housing choices), but the NPS-UD is likely to require significant changes to the Unitary Plan in some parts of Auckland.
The intensification policies the council has to implement focus on enabling greater heights and densities within “walkable catchments” of frequent transport networks and in “other locations” that are accessible to employment, goods, services, education or in high demand. In these locations there has to be a minimum zoning of six stories unless “qualifying matters” apply such as maintaining open space for public use or heritage orders.
Approximately 30,000 properties sit within the current Special Characters overlay that will fall within the NPS-UD areas that have to be considered for further intensification through up-zoning. Council will need to carefully consider what locations fall within the directive and whether Special Character is a “qualifying matter”, and if so, should this apply across the board, or in some but not all areas. Council has the massive task of undertaking site-by-site surveys and analysis for every property in order to be subject to a qualifying matter. Personally I think we have to find a way of retaining the special character of neighbourhoods that tell the story of where we have come from and are valued by all Aucklanders. I don’t think it is a zero sum game between providing much needed housing and heritage. As Don on the panel mentioned there are plenty of compact cities around the world that have found a way to grow at the same time as protect heritage. It is also a wider debate that what is considered heritage and the value of our landscapes is not just a European construct.
At this stage however, it is important to note that council is only at the start of a lengthy period of detailed policy, planning and public engagement work on the NPS-UD and how it needs to be applied. Another challenge that has to be worked through is what infrastructure will be required to support the increased density and who pays for that infrastructure. No decisions have been made yet. Aucklanders will have opportunities to have their say.
This is just a brief summary of the NPS-UD. The UDINZ event provided the first occasion to share some initial thoughts at a very early stage. Please refer to the Ministry for the Environment website for more details.
Report to the 1 July Planning Committee meeting seeking endorsement of approaches in response to several the intensification provisions in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (item 13).
My Councillor report covers the period from 9 February 2021 until 5 March 2021. It has been prepared for the March 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 public and 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
Member, Appointments and Performance Review Committee
Member, Joint Governance Working Party
Member, Waste Political Advisory Group
Summary
Following the discovery of cases of COVID-19 in the community, Auckland moved to Alert Level 3 for a 3-day period from Monday 15 February. The rest of New Zealand moved to Alert Level 2. All of New Zealand dropped to Alert Level 1 on midnight on Wednesday 17 February.
Auckland again moved to Alert Level 3, and the rest of New Zealand to Alert Level 2, on Sunday 28 February for a 7-day period. At the time of writing, an announcement about Alert Levels beyond Sunday 7 March is expected on the afternoon of Friday 5th March.
During Alert Level 3, all council meetings were held online and all in-person events were cancelled. Unfortunately, this included the Lantern Festival, Auckland Pride Festival events and the beginning of the Auckland Arts Festival
The consultation period for the ‘Recovery Budget’ Long-Term Plan (2021-2031) began on 22 February. This included a series of online webinars on specific topics such as rates, and climate change. Some in-person events scheduled while Auckland was at Alert Level 3 were cancelled.
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.
Dr Rod Carr, Chair of the Climate Change Commission, Deputy Chair Deputy Chair Lisa Tumahai and CEO Jo Hendy with Mayor Goff and Cr Richard Hills
On 11 February the Environment and Climate Change Committee received an engaging and informative presentation from Climate Change Commission Chair Dr Rod Carr, Deputy Chair Lisa Tumahai and CEO Jo Hendy.
It was a great opportunity to ask questions about the commission’s draft advice to the Government and how Auckland must play a big part in our pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. I reported on the meeting in my Ponsonby News March update (Attachment 1)
The committee delegated authority to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, and an Independent Māori Statutory Board member to approve Auckland Council’s submission on the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice to Government, endorsed Auckland’s commitment to meeting C40’s revised leadership standards, adopted the revised Resource Recovery Network Strategy 2021, received a quarterly update from Auckland Transport and endorsed the key submission points for the draft Auckland Council submission to central government’s Water Services Bill.
On Thursday 18 February the Governing Body adopted Consultation Document and Supporting Information for the Long-term Plan 2021-2031 and agreed to the communications and engagement approach. Governing Body also agreed to consult on options for introducing a Transport Targeted Rate to provide public transport services in Paremoremo; and agreed to consult on the proposed amendments to the Revenue and Financing Policy. consult on the proposed amendments to the Revenue and Financing Policy.
Following the unanimous Governing Body support for the Waiheke rahui with Chair Cath Handley and Mayor Phil Goff
On Thursday 25 February the Governing Body agreed to tautoko (support) Ngāti Paoa’s rāhui around the motu of Waiheke and confirmed me and the Mayor will write to Minister Parker with Auckland Council submission in support of the application by Ngāti Pāoa for a two year temporary closure on the taking of four species of shellfish pursuant to s186A of Fisheries Act 1996(Attachment 2 my speech notes to the meeting) and confirmed the amended Water Supply and Wastewater Network Bylaw 2015. Governing Body also approvedproposed changes to the Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014 and received Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Quarterly Report and draft Annual Plan 2021/2022.
On Thursday 4 March the Planning Committee approved the high-level implementation plan as a basis for Auckland Council’s implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Decision-making on the Auckland Transport Alignment Plan and the draft Regional Land Transport Plan was postponed a week.
Consultations
Consultation on Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget for 2021-2031, called the “Recovery Budget” opened on 22 February. The budget increases council’s total capital investment in our city from $26 billion to $31 billion over the next 10 years to deliver infrastructure for transport, housing, water and within our communities, helping to stimulate jobs and our economy.
It responds to the impacts of climate change (for the first time there is budget for a package of climate action proposals), protects our environment, and continue to provide essential and key services to Aucklanders. The budget also sets out our commitment to prudent management of our finances and a continued focus on savings to manage the loss of council income from COVID-19, with cumulative losses projected to reach around $1 billion by 2024.
I have attended a number of engagement events including presenting to the St Marys Bay Residents Association committee with local board member Adriana Christie and the 10-year Budget 2021-2031 Webinar- Climate change focus with fellow Councillors and subject experts (photo right on zoom before the Webinar Q&A started)
All meetings which took place during either period at Alert Level 3 were held online
Visit to Mint Innovation with Cr Cooper
On 9 February attended the Environment and Climate change Committee agenda run through, weekly Chairs meeting and fortnightly Councillors catch up with the Mayor. I also visited Mint Innovation (E-Waste Recycling Facility) with Cr Linda Cooper
On 10 February attended the Finance and Performance Committee workshop on the Recovery Budget
On 11 February met Dr Rod Carr, Chair of the Climate Change Commission and Cr Richard Hills before his presentation to the Environment and Climate Change Committee and attended the opening night of Two Women at the ASB Waterfront Theatre at the invitation of Auckland Theatre Company
On 12 February attended the LGNZ Metro meeting in Wellington (I attended via Zoom). Hon Grant Robertson joined the meeting to discuss his focus as Infrastructure Minister and travelled to Waiheke to attend the Blackpool Residents Association “Dog and Pony” social evening with Chair Cath.
Cr Hills, Mayor Goff, Pride Festival chair, Kaan Hiini and director Max Tweedie at the Big Gay Out
On Sunday 14 February I took part in a walkaround with the Mayor and some of my fellow councillors at Big Gay Out (photo right with Cr Hills, Mayor Goff, Pride Festival chair, Kaan Hiini and director Max Tweedie)
On Monday 15 February I discussed safety concerns relating to the Franklin and Victoria Street cycleways; and speed enforcement in the City Centre with Auckland Transport, attended the Climate Political Reference Group meeting and the Auckland Domain Committee workshop
On Tuesday 16 February I met with staff to discuss the Regional stakeholder consultation process and I attended the Waitematā Local Board meeting to give my Councillor’s update
On Wednesday 17 February I attended the fortnightly catch up with the Chief Sustainability Office and committee workshops
On Thursday 18 February I had my monthly catch up with Waiheke Local Board members
On Monday 22 February attended the weekly Chairs meeting and fortnightly Councillors catch up with the Mayor
On Tuesday 23 February attended the CCO Oversight Committee meeting and the Waitematā Local Board workshop to discuss the financial overview of proposed local board budgets
On Wednesday 24 February I attended committee workshops, a meeting with AT and council staff to discuss the approach to the RLTP, the Auckland Art Fair opening at the Cloud and presented to the St Marys Bay Residents Association committee regarding the Recovery Budget
On Friday 26 February I spent the day on Aotea Great Barrier Island. I met with Local Board members; took part in an interview about the Recovery Budget on Aotea FM and held Councillor Clinics.
On Saturday 27 February I attended the ‘Have Your Say’ LTP consultation event on Aotea Great Barrier Island and took part in the ‘Central’ LTP webinar in the evening. (Right: Photos from an eventful 24 hours on Aotea)
On Monday 1 March I attended a Waiheke Area Plan Workshop and attended the first of two webinars on the topic of rates.
On Tuesday 2 March I was briefed by Auckland Transport on the Central City Bus route plan and attended the Appointments and Performance Review Committee meeting
PM Jacinda’s view of the Local Government/ Central Government Forum via Zoom
On Wednesday 3 March I attended the LGNZ National Council meeting and the Central Government/Local Government Forum in Wellington via Zoom. The Governing Body also received an update on the LTP communication and engagement approach while at Alert Level 3. I then took an active role in the LTP webinar on the topic of Climate Change in my capacity as Deputy Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.
On Thursday 4 March attended the Planning Committee ATAP workshop
There’s no doubt this year has been a tough one. I could never have imagined what we were going to face as a city in my first year as a Councillor. Here’s a bit of a run through the challenges we’ve confronted on Auckland Council and some of the highlights.
At the start of the first level 4 lockdown in March, a temporary Emergency Committee of the whole of the Governing Body (the Mayor and Councillors) was established in response to the pandemic. One of the first steps of this committee was to put in place a COVID-19 contingency fund of $22.5 million for any urgent expenditure required to respond to the pandemic. Council stepped up to provide support across the community including library staff making welfare calls.
Auckland Council’s 2020/2021 annual budget that was consulted on in March had to be thrown out once the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Aucklanders were then asked to have their say on a second proposed ‘emergency budget’ in response to a massive budget hole.
In July the Governing Body adopted the Emergency Budget 2020/21, along with a rate increase of 3.5 per cent and a rates postponement scheme to assist ratepayers facing financial hardship. We had to make tough calls in the budget to continue providing essential services and respond to the challenges of the pandemic and drought. The focus more recently has been on putting together the priorities for Council’s 10 year budget that will go out for consultation in February.
Late in 2019 an independent panel was appointed to undertake a review of the 5 CCOs (council controlled organisations). The new council CEO Jim Stabback, appointed by the Governing Body for a 5 year term in September, is leading the implementation of all 64 recommendations presented by the panel including the merger of two CCOs—Regional Facilities Auckland and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development into a single entity now called Auckland Unlimited.
In May, in response to one of the most severe droughts in Auckland’s history, the Emergency Committee voted to introduce mandatory water restrictions. In June we agreed to waive resource consent fees for residential rainwater tank installation. Savings are up to 40 million litres of water a day, with Watercare on track to boost supply by another 40 million litres a day by December.
The downtown programme of works is continuing at pace and new spaces are already opening up in the city centre and waterfront after many months of construction. I was fortunate to speak at the opening by Panuku of the final stage of the Westhaven promenade.
A personal highlight, as Deputy Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, was the unanimous adoption in July of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. It provides a bold response to drive climate action working together across Tāmaki Makaurau. In another positive decision by the committee we unanimously agreed to support standardising the weed management budget across Auckland (rather than standardising methodology as recommended which would have increased glyphosate use in some areas), provided for local decision-making on preferred methodologies, and re-confirmed our support for the Weed Management Policy goals to minimise agri-chemical usage.
In September the Governing Body approved an independent review into health and safety at Ports of Auckland. I have been one of a group of Councillors supporting the Mayor to launch a review to take a close look at the workplace culture at the Port and systemic failings that have led to a number of tragic deaths.
Another personal highlight was my appointment in February as Co-Chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum under a new co-governance structure. As a forum we have signed off more ambitious goals and are committed to the preservation and restoration of the Hauraki Gulf Tipaka Moana Te Moananui-a-Toi.
I’ve enjoyed a close working relationship with the three local boards in my ward over the year even though for a big chunk of it we were only able to meet online. I was fortunate to be on Waiheke recently for the launch of 5 new electric buses and visited Aotea Great Barrier in November for the first time since lockdown. I end the year feeling very privileged to represent the beating heart of Auckland and the stunning gulf islands.
Ngā mihi o te wā and best wishes for the year ahead.
Through the disruption, anxiety and uncertainty thrown up by the coronavirus, the lockdowns have provided the opportunity to reconnect with nature, to listen, to stop and observe. I’m particularly interested in the impact on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park because earlier in the year I was elected co-chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum alongside Nicola MacDonald, the tangata whenua co-chair.
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is New Zealand’s first marine park. It’s a big park, stretching from Te Arai in the north to Waihi in the south. At 1.2 million hectares, or 20 times the size of Lake Taupō, it includes the Waitematā Harbour, Gulf Islands, Firth of Thames and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. It is the seabird capital of the world, and a whale superhighway. Many will feel a close affinity with the Gulf as Auckland’s playground.
The State of the Gulf report published to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park made for grim reading and put a spotlight on the ongoing environmental degradation. The park is suffering from the decimation of shellfish beds, decreasing fish stocks, a seabed littered with plastics, sediment issues and increased pressure from development and tourism. The key point from the report is we need much more protection, and we need it fast.
During the first lockdown there was an immediate and observable effect of noise reduction on our marine and bird life from the significant decline in the number of vessel movements resulting in a much quieter and less pressured marine environment. There were sightings of birdlife where we haven’t seen them for some time. Ultimately the positive impact was not ongoing and not particularly ecologically or environmentally significant given that we are fighting decades of degradation.
In May the Forum adopted an updated set of ambitious goals for the Gulf including ending marine dumping in or near the marine park and protecting at least 30 per cent of our moana in a way that respects biodiversity and habitats. Less than half a percent of the area is currently protected in marine reserves.
The Minister of Conservation Eugene Sage supports implementing significant marine protection. As she has said “We have to get beyond asserting our rights to thinking about our responsibilities for the domain of Tangaroa, because we all share an interest in having a healthy gulf with abundant fisheries and marine life. It means putting aside our assertion of rights. We’d really like to see some ambitious vision, with the fishing industry offering to stop bottom trawling and other bottom-damaging methods – to take that step to inspire other action.”
What marine protection does go ahead will be in the hands of the incoming government. The government’s response strategy to Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari, the marine spatial plan for the park designed to secure a healthy, productive and sustainable future, will be critical. Adoption of a strategy has the potential to transform the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
It was a brief reprieve during lockdown but the tide may be starting to turn for the health of Hauraki Gulf Tipaka Moana Te Moananui-a-Toi.
This is my first Councillor report for 2020 prepared for the Waitematā, Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier Local Boards’ February business meeting agendas.
It covers the period from 25 November 2019 until 31 January including the summer break.
The purpose of my report is to share key information with the local boards including governing body activities, attendance at events, conferences and meetings, regional consultations, media activities and ward issues I have been following up on. I also declare all gifts in my report regardless of value.
Governing Body and Committee meetings*
Governing Body committee met on 26 November and 12 December (photo right of Councillors at the Aotea Square Christmas tree on our way to the final business meeting of the year at the Town Hall). Highlights include:
agreed the terms of reference for the Council Controlled Organisations Review
approved allocation of the Auckland Council governance remuneration pool
approved terms of reference for the Joint Governance Working Party and Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi Settlement Working Party
adopted the GB meeting schedule from 2020 -2022
agreed process for appointing the next Auckland Council CEO (appointment to be made by end of 2020)
Unanimous support for an extraordinary item regarding the bus drivers dispute (reported on below)
The first Environment and Climate Change committee met on 29 November
approved the grant allocations for the 2019/2020 Regional Environment and Natural Heritage Grant programme funding round
allocations for the 2019/2020 Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund, September 2019 funding were considered in confidential
The first Council Controlled Organisation Oversight Committee met on 12 December to receive the first quarter reports of the substantive council-controlled organisations and approve the proposed content for inclusion in their 2020/21 letters of expectation.
A minute’s silence was observed at the beginning of our Finance and Performance Committee led by Cr Desley Simpson on 10 December to pay tribute to all those affected by the awful tragedy on Whakaari /White Island.
A range of briefings have continued for the Environment and Climate Change Committee Chair and Deputy Chair
In my role as committee Deputy Chair I attend a weekly chairs catch up with the Mayor and a fortnightly Mayor and Councillors catch up
I have a fortnightly meeting for transport updates relating to ward issues
On Friday 29 November I hosted my first Councillor “clinic” on Aotea Great Barrier with booked appointments times
Meeting on 6 December with councillors Barley and Casey and First Union to discuss the bus drivers dispute.
MUNZ meeting on 9 December with the automation working group of the International Transport Workers Federation
Cr Hills and I met with Milag San Jose-Ballesteros, Regional Director For Southeast Asia And Oceania, C40 to discuss climate change action on 21 January. C40 Cities is an organisation working with 96 City Councils across the world to work on positive opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and protect our communities.
Meeting on 22 January convened by the Mayor regarding Fuller Ferry cancellations (reported on below)
City Centre network meeting at the Ellen Melville Centre on 23 January
Tour of Aotea Great Barrier (north part of island) with the local board on 27 January (photos right)
Waiheke Local Board business meeting on 28 January
Environment and Climate Change Committee: Political Working Group meetings to finalise Council’s submission on the Reducing waste: A more effective landfill levy paper
I also attended the following events:
Vision Zero celebration at Auckland Transport on 25 November
100 years of Zonta International celebration dinner on 25 November hosted by the Zonta Club of Auckland at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron. Zonta’s mission is empowering powering women through service and advocacy.
Friends of Sustainable Coastlines celebration on 27 November
Museum Board Chair Orchid Atimalala, Deputy Chair Tarun Kanji and Director Finance Jignasha Patel
Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum 90th birthday celebrations on 27 November.
Ceremony for the 40th anniversary of the Erebus accident at Government House hosted by the Governor General where the PM and the Chair of Air NZ gave a wholehearted apology to the families for the actions of the government and airline following the disaster that claimed 247 lives. I’m sure that nothing can fully heal the loss from the tragedy for the families and those impacted by Operation Overdue but this apology is long overdue. I hope now we can also move ahead on a fitting Erebus Memorial.
NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards gala dinner on 28 November at the invitation of Waste Solutions. Auckland Council, TROW and Green Way won the Partnering for Good category for the demolition of the Masonic Lodge in Salisbury Reserve (a project initiated by the Waitematā Local Board)
Met with the Inspirasi Indonesian Young Leaders delegation (photo right with Cr Hills and Laila Harre) and spoke on the topic of the Role of Local Government and how to engage communities to be sustainably resilient
Visited Great Barrier on 29 November to hold a Councillor clinic to meet locals, did an interview with Aotea FM (photo right with Toni and Tony from Aotea FM) and meet with local board members
Raise up Leadership grad dinner at Eden Park on 30 November at the invitation of YMCA
Hyundai World Championships powhiri and opening ceremony on 1 December
Franklin Road lights opening on 1 December (photo right with local board member Graeme Gunthorp)
Grey Lynn Residents Association AGM at the Grey Lynn RSC
Farewell for Marguerite Delbet as Council’s General Manager, Democracy Services after six plus years at the helm
Auckland Art Gallery’s 2020 programme launch on 3 December
Whakawātea for Luna Rossa / Prada bases, America’s Cup on 4 December (photo right)
Women in Leadership afternoon tea hosted by the Mayor’s office
LGNZ strategy day in Wellington on 5 December
LGNZ National Council meeting on 6 December
The official party for the citizenship ceremony L-R Deputy Chair Waiheke Local Board Bob Upchurch, Kaumatua Bob Hawke, Kaumatua Alec Hawke, Richard NortheyChair Waitematā Local Board, and new citizen Kiri McCutcheon who works at Auckland Council
Citizenship ceremony at the Auckland Town hall on 9 December
Ports of Auckland community liaison group Christmas drinks on 10 December
Morning blessing on 17 December led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the start of the St Mary’s Bay water project that will dramatically reduce contamination going into the Harbour (photo right). This significant project is funded from the water quality targeted rate and delivered by Watercare and Healthy Waters (Auckland Council) with Auckland Transport improvements included as well
End of year afternoon tea hosted by the Mayor on 17 December
Late Night Christmas event organised by Heart of the City on 19 December
Community celebration lunch at Ellen Melville Centre on 20 December
Waiheke Ostend Market zero waste stall volunteer on 21 December and 17 January (photo right)
I took a Christmas break from 20 December until 13 January
I joined the Mayor and Panuku on
Tour of Wynyard Quarter Developments with Mayor Goff
15 January for a tour of Auckland’s Waterfront Precinct and Wynyard Quarter as well as a look at the new Willis Bond apartment development on Madden Street, the Park Hyatt Auckland site (photo right in hard hats) and a visit to Emirates Team New Zealand.
Enjoyed a session at the ASB Classic tennis at the invitation of ATEED and a chance to meet the tournament director Karl Budge
Urban Nerds AKL – special guest appearance by Greg Vann on 23 January
Moira Lawler’s farewell as CEO of Lifewise held at Merge Café on 23 January
Supported the Mayor at the SeePort festival opening on 25 January
International Buskers Day Festival opening on 25 January at the invitation of Crackerjack productions
On behalf of the Mayor addressed the United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day event hosted by the Holocaust Centre of NZ at the Mt Eden Memorial Hall (Photo right and speech Attachment 1)
State of the Nation presentation with the PM and lunch on 30 January at Sky City Convention Centre at the invitation of Business NZ
Regional consultation topics
In December the Mayor’s proposal for the Annual Budget 2020/21 was agreed to go out for consultation on 21 February. The proposal is about showing leadership on climate change as well as continuing to invest strongly in infrastructure and services, and readying Auckland for the international spotlight in 2021, when the city hosts the 36th America’s Cup, APEC, Te Matatini and a range of other events. I have reported on the main topics in my Ponsonby News column.
Regional grants
The Regional Environment and Natural Heritage Grant Fund and Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund applications were agreed by the Environment and Climate Change committee on 29 November.
Significant issues and ward issues (as at 31 January)
New Network bus changes on Waiheke
Following the report that Hana Blackmore prepared for the local board highlighting deficiencies in Auckland Transport’s consultation and presentation of a petition, Auckland Transport agreed to put in place a temporary diversion for every second 50A bus service to loop through Ostend / Wharf Rd. The use of services on these roads will then be assessed around March when AT undertakes the review of the New Network.
AT also reported that the New Network has significantly grown compared to the old network over the first eight weeks of operation – in average by +5% and more recently by up to +30% for individual weeks. More people are using buses on Waiheke now than before. However, issues remain with a bus driver shortage. I am also aware of continued concerns regarding the location of bus stops.
Leys Institute Library Building
Just before Christmas an operational decision was made to close Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium until further notice. A recently completed seismic assessment has found structural issues that make the buildings unsafe to occupy in the unlikely event of an earthquake.
This caused a lot of concern raised directly with me about the future of the buildings and the continuation of library services. The local board has ensured that services will resume from March at 14 Jervois Road for at least the next three years and that the jobs of all library staff are safe. In the meantime, the mobile library has been parking outside Leys Institute until the end of January
A report on the options for restoring the buildings will be going to the local board.
Bus drivers dispute
The bus driver dispute ended before Christmas following Auckland Council unanimously requesting Auckland Transport to work on finding a solution and signalled the need to find a long-term sustainable way forward to the poor pay and conditions. It was important to take a stand together as Auckland needs professional bus drivers who are well trained and can earn a living. Here is the resolution in full from the 12 December Governing Body meeting:
a) note with concern the industrial dispute affecting bus services and its impact on commuters, bus drivers and their families and potentially undermining a shift to use of public transport
b) request Auckland Transport to work with NZ Bus and the relevant unions to find a solution to end the current dispute
c) request Auckland Transport and the Chief Executive of Auckland Council to work on sustainable long-term solutions
d) request the Mayor to write to the Ministry of Transport on behalf of Council seeking urgency to be accorded to the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) Review to ensure that problems of recruitment and retention of bus drivers are addressed and a fair and equitable resolution is reached around drivers wages and working condition
Waiheke Ferry cancellations
On 22 January Mayor Phil Goff convened a meeting of Fullers, the Harbourmaster, Auckland Transport, the Ports of Auckland and elected representatives including Councillor Chris Darby, Chair of the Waiheke Local Board, Cath Handley and Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye and myself. After the meeting the Mayor released the following statement.
“I made clear my expectations that recent ferry cancellations were unacceptable, and the causes had to be addressed collaboratively by the parties directly involved. The inconvenience caused to Aucklanders is not acceptable. I also made clear my expectations that I want to see this issue resolved as soon as possible,” Phil Goff said.
“The discussions were positive, and progress was made. I have asked for a working party to be convened urgently, chaired by the Harbourmaster, and involving Fullers, Auckland Transport, Ports of Auckland and the cruise ship industry.
“I have asked the group to address the following issues relevant to the cancellations:
whether the restrictions on cruise liner berthing currently from 7.30am to 9am can and should be extended
what the appropriate safety parameters are for ferries when cruise liners are berthing
the need for a better communication mechanism between the relevant parties.
“I have asked the working group to report back on these matters to elected representatives as soon as possible.”
Media
My regular Ponsonby News column was published in the February edition
I was also quoted in sponsored NZ Herald content regarding city centre construction
Conferences and seminars
Te kāwana ngātahi i a Tāmaki Makaurau ‘Governing Auckland together’ symposium was held for all elected members on 2 December. The programme included:
Deputy Mayor gave the opening address on behalf of the Mayor
Chief Executive, Stephen Town address
Strategic briefing – overview of key strategic issues for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
No point wasting a good crisis’ – an interactive future-focused session, looking at era scale change and connecting the future to actions in the present. This will be led by Dr Stephanie Pride
Closing remarks by board Chair Leumaunga Lydia Sosene
Disclosures
Since 25 November I have received the following gifts as well the invites noted above under events:
Out there SCAPE Public Art 1998 – 2018 a booked valued at $80 gifted by Warren Pringle
On Saturday 22 June I joined hundreds of Aucklanders gathered in darkness at the foot of Pukekaaroa Hill in Auckland Domain before Kiingi Tuheitia, accompanied by the Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff and dignitaries from iwi manaaki (host iwi) Waikato-Tainui, led a gentle walk to the hilltop.
It was a poignant occasion as Matariki Dawn Karakia opened 2019’s Matariki Festival. Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland Council, in partnership with Waikato-Tainui brought the festival to the Auckland region from 22 June until 14 July this year.
Waitematā Local Board co-hosted with the Parnell Business Association the launch of The Parnell Plan; a 30-year plan for Auckland’s first suburb developed collaboratively by community representatives, local board members and Auckland Council staff, in partnership with mana whenua. It was a true community empowerment approach.
The plan details a key vision for the suburb and outlines a series of objectives, strategies and actions which work together to achieve the vision; that Parnell is a thriving, creative, and collaborative community that celebrates its unique natural, cultural and historic environment.
Five key action areas are defined and focus directly on achieving the plan’s vision and objectives. These are:
making Parnell Station a key gateway to Parnell and the Domain
realising the Waipapa Greenway through the old Parnell rail tunnel
reinforcing the core of Parnell town centre as the heart of Parnell
revitalising the St Georges Bay Road warehouse area
enhancing key east-west links and realising the Parnell Parks Link Greenway.
Ribbon cutting for the new bus shelter on Parnell Road
Over 3 years ago Gloria Jenkins approached me about the need for a shelter at her bus stop on Parnell Road. Installation of the shelter was held up while AT consulted on new bus lanes and decided to move the existing bus stop.
On 28 June member Adriana Christie and I held an unofficial opening to celebrate the new bus shelter with Gloria cutting the ribbon. We were joined by Gloria’s neighbour and her son about to take the bus, and Gloria’s nephew Brian.
Pedestrian crossings
We support the programme Auckland Transport has underway to upgrade crossings to slow drivers down and make streets safer for pedestrians.
New crossing installed recently are on Khyber Pass and at Western Springs as part of the shared path project.
Community Safety Fund
At our June business meeting we confirmed our support for the community safety projects listed in the Community Safety Fund document I attached to my Chair’s Report with the addition of Parnell Train Station underpass and requested Auckland Transport work with the local board to progress these projects using the Fund:
safety improvements at Newton Central School from the Safe Schools Tool Box
a new pedestrian crossing on West End Road / Fife Street by the bus stops next to the Westend Tennis Club
iii. improvements to the pedestrian crossings on Lower Domain Drive at Lovers Lane and at Domain Drive
a new pedestrian crossing at the entrance to the Domain across Park Road
a new pedestrian crossing outside ACG Campus on Davis Crescent to Olympic Reserve
safety improvements to Hopetoun Street
vii. Cook Street Project – Area 5 Shared Path Cycleway
Transporters on Great North Road
How car transporters off load on Great North Road is a long standing issue I have been following up with Auckland Transport. Car deliveries have been taking place in non loading areas for decades. I’ve made it very clear to Auckland Transport and the industry (at meeting in April and in follow up emails) that parking illegally to unload is no longer acceptable especially on Great North Road with changing land use and increasing numbers walking and cycling.
AT has investigated locations for new loading zones and is about to start consultation. It is frustrating how long AT is taking but in the meantime there are options for unloading legally and safely. I’ve asked the industry rep who I met at the meeting with AT in April to look at putting in place traffic management plans and to clearly communicate to the transporters what practices are acceptable. A new pedestrian crossing is also needed on Great North Road but AT doesn’t have any funds available and the local board community safety fund is oversubscribed. I’ve also asked AT to confirm how the new loading zones are consistent with the proposed GNR cyclelanes but I am yet to receive a response.
Franklin Road upgrade opening
Franklin Road upgrade opening on 3 July was an opportunity to acknowledge the many people who have been involved in this $21m project over a long period of time. For decades it was put in the too hard basket until former Auckland Transport COO, Greg Edmonds found a way to make it happen with partners Auckland Council, Vector, Watercare and Chorus.
The results are stunning and include:
Underground service works and street lighting
New sewer lines and watermain pipes with new connections added to homes
Sewer separation
Undergrounding power lines
Stormwater upgrade
New roundabout at the Wellington St intersection
New cycleway (semi Copenhagen style) on both sides of the street
Footpaths were replaced.
The paths have fibre reinforced concrete to keep the trees from lifting them up again
New raised speed tables at every side street intersection to improve the walking experience and to slow vehicle speed •
Installation of more than 40 new catch pits to improve stormwater drainage
Construction of well-defined parking bays and improved tree pits
Upgraded street lighting with new catenary street lighting design using energy-efficient LED luminaries
Waitematā Local Board’s has a legacy Parking Fund that is available for parking improvements and is made up of the following:
Area
Amount
City
$259,641
Freemans Bay
$26,785
Grey Lynn / Westmere
$27,842
Parnell
$619,952
Ponsonby-Herne Bay
$242,987
At our June Business meeting we voted to support utilising the Parnell portion of the Waitematā Local Board’s Parking Fund, in the order of $489,225 to deliver improvements in the Auckland Domain related to:
i) installing temporary gates at the entrance and exit to the Titoki Street carpark and at the Carlton Gore entrance to manage commuter or long stay parking to ensure parking is available to Domain users; and
ii) developing a new carpark to support the natural play area and provide safer pedestrian and cycling use of Kiosk Road.
In doing that we confirmed our support the removal of on-road parking from Kiosk Road and Football Drive following the parking improvements, consistent with the outcome of the Auckland Domain Masterplan and the Auckland Domain Accessibility Improvement Programme.
The Governing Body now has to make a decision to release the funds from the Parking Fund for the projects to go ahead.
Bike to football
Photo credit: Bike Auckland
Over the years I’ve often heard it said by grownups that kids will never bike to sport. But look what happened at the first bike to football on 15 June. The team behind Pt Chev Bike to Football pilot scheme planned hot drinks and sausages for the first 30 people to arrive by bike; they expected maybe 20. 74 showed up at Seddon Fields and the numbers have increased every week. And this is without the safe cyclepath that was meant to have been delivered by now (the bike train rode on the footpath)
Parking on berms
Councils voted on a record 24 remits at the AGM on 7 July, held in Wellington as part of the 2019 LGNZ Conference.
Covering issues as varied as climate change, fireworks, tourist accommodation, building defects, campgrounds, alcohol, road safety and the beauty industry, remits are a further opportunity for councils to direct the advocacy work of LGNZ .
I attended the AGM as one of four designated delegates of Auckland Council and spoke in support of the seeking an amendment to clause 6.2 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 to prohibit parking on urban berms with out the need for signage.
“In urban areas the berm is part of the footpath.
An interpretation of the current rules requires signage to be able to enforce the prohibition of parking on the berm.
This is a compliance issue. Signage is expensive, impracticable and clutters up the footpath.
There are often good reasons to enforce the prohibition and to be able to act on a complaint.
Berm parking creates safety issues for all road users. It can damage the kerbs, trees and wreak the grass and it can damage underground utilities creating costs for all ratepayers.
In Auckland berm parking is occurring where parking exists to avoid paying parking changes.
This is an urban issue but we seek support from all the membership for this sensible and common sense change to the Land Transport (Road User ) Rule.
Unfortunately the remit was lost creating even more media interest in “bermageddon”. What is particularly frustrating about this issue is how AT has interpreted the current rules. AT has legal advice that signage is needed to be able to enforce prohibited parking. However as Heidi O’Callahan has written for Greater Auckland:
Under the present law, in a typical Auckland street, a grass berm or verge that is retained by a kerb is simply an unpaved part of the footpath.
The rules around parking are in the Road User Rule. Rule 6.14 covers parking on the footpath – you cannot park on the footpath. Rule 6.2 covers parking on the road, and says you should park off the roadway if possible. In urban areas with kerbs, this applies to parking bays and marked carparks. Otherwise you park on the roadway. Rule 6.2 does not override Rule 6.14 and authorise a driver to take over an unpaved part of the footpath.
AT could apply Rule 6.14 to ticket cars parked off the roadway on any part of the footpath, paved or unpaved. This includes the verges and vehicle crossings
Walking Summit
Alex Bonham and Claire Dixon, presenters at the Walking Summit
I attended the two day Walking Summit organised by Living Streets Aotearoa and hosted by Auckland Transport on 20 -21 June. I introduced the session I chaired on the theme Walking to School and Play by quoting Jeff Speck the author of Walkable Cities and a supporter of 8-80 cities
The healthiest, wealthiest, most sustainable and vibrant communities in cities around the world are unique in many ways. But there is one factor above all others that these communities have in common: they are, nearly without fail, highly walkable places.
In the session Alex Bonham presented on her Children’s play in the city research and Claire Dixon from Auckland Transport on Safe School Streets.
On the second day I stepped in for Cr Chris Darby, chair of Auckland Council’s Planning Committee to provide introductory comments about Why walking connections to public transport is important (Attachment 5)
Every public transport user is effectively a pedestrian at some point their journey
Public transport just one part of an overall end-to-end journey
If the walking component is not acceptable or accessible to the public, the whole journey becomes unattractive
Walking is a universal but fragile transport mode. An uncomfortable or hostile walking environment will deter anyone who is able to avoid it – deters people from using public transport
Public transport, like public space, is for everyone. Public transport is best when it is inclusive. A Universal Design approach to roads, streets and public spaces also ensures that nobody is excluded from access to public transport. Every part of the journey needs to be designed to be accessible to everyone.
Public transport and walking are complementary because of spatial efficiency
A 3m traffic lane can move about 1,000 cars per hour, or 9,000 pedestrians
A 3m light rail line can serve up to 25,000 people per hour, per direction
Living Streets Aotearoa is committed to ensuring over 50% of children and adolescents walk all or part of their journey to school by 2025. Waitematā Local Board is looking to fund safety improvements around Newton Central School. Photo right with the walking school bus mascot
Karangahape Road enhancement project
The much-anticipated enhancements to Auckland’s iconic Karangahape Road are finally about to get underway. I attended the dawn karakia led by mana whenua on 27 June (photo right).
The Symonds St cemetery suffered from decades of neglect until Shale Chambers started championing a long-term enhancement programme first initiated by the Waitematā Local Board in 2012. The results are amazing – new paths, monument conservation, ecological restoration and community volunteer events in the cemetery. Along the way Symonds Street Cemetery Friends led by Patricia M Reade have been doing fabulous work to protect, preserve, enhance, restore and educate the public about the cemetery.
We are supporting the Auckland Council process for requests Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified artists who wish to be considered for the commission of a new Sturdee Street Mural. EOI’s are now open, closing 1 August 2019. For more information, contact: WaitemataLocalBoard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Attachment 8: Stuff report Mural in downtown Auckland to be replaced for America’s Cup
Meetings and workshops: 12 June until 9 July
Planning Committee City Centre masterplan workshop on 12 June
Transport portfolio catch up on 12 June
Monthly catch up with city centre residents group representative on 12 June
Meeting with John Elliott, Ponsonby News to discuss Council’s use of glysophate (My July Ponsonby News update Attachment 7)
Meeting on 13 June with Cr Lee to discuss proposed priority projects to be funded from the Community Safety Fund
Meeting with Auckland Fringe Festival Trust on 14 June
Weekly chairs catch up held on 17, 24 June and 1 July
Attended the meeting on 17 June with the Mayor and Fuller’s CEO to discuss issues with the operation of the Waiheke ferry
Local Board members cluster workshop on 17 June
Meeting regarding the Erebus National Memorial project with representatives from the Ministry for Culture on 18 June
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 18 June
25th Central Government Local Government Forum held at Premier House
25th Central Government and Local Government Forum on 19 June at Premier House, Wellington (photo right)
Attended the Walking Summit on 20 and 21 June at Auckland Transport
Engagement strategy interview with Local board engagement adviser on 24 June
Attended Marine Protection public meeting on 24 June organised by Hon Nikki Kaye on Waiheke
Waitematā Local Board workshops on 25 June and 2 July
Auckland City Centre Advisory Board workshop and meeting on 26 June
Meeting with new trustees of the Grey Lynn Park Festival Trust on 27 June
City centre network meeting at Ellen Melville Centre on 27 June
LGNZ AGM briefing on 28 June
Ponsonby Business Association committee monthly meeting on 3 July
Communications meeting on 3 July
Meeting with Denise Cosgrove, new CEO of Presbyterian Support
City Rail Link Community Liaison Meeting on 3 July
Auckland Zoo briefing and guided tour redevelopment project on 5 July
Taskforce on alcohol and community safety in the central city meeting on 5 July
LGNZ National Council meeting on 7 July
Attended LGNZ AGM as an Auckland Council delegate on 7 July (photo right)
LGNZ annual conference in Wellington 7-9 July ( I will report fully on the conference in my August Chair’s report)
Events and functions: 12 June until 9 July
Auckland Conversations: Making Auckland an Age Friendly City on 13 June
Opening night of A Fine Balance at Q Theatre on 15 June at the invitation of Auckland Theatre Company
Friends of Symonds St Cemetery AGM on 18 June
World Refugee Day celebration at the Auckland Art Gallery on 20 June.
Opening night of War Horse at the Civic on 21 June at the invitation of Auckland Live
Matariki Dawn Karakia at Auckland Domain Pukekawa on 22 June
School Strike for Climate organisers presentation for The Fabian Society monthly meeting at the Auckland University Business School on 25 June (photo right with Rachel Brown and Denise Bijoux with the organisers)
Launch of the Parnell Plan at Jubilee Buildings on 26 June
Pre-construction karakia for the Karangahape Road Enhancements project on 27 June
Red hat dinner for city centre residents on 27 June
World Press photography exhibition opening function on 28 June
We’re going on a Bear Hunt at the Pumphouse Theatre at the invitation of Tim Bray Productions on 29 June
Hāngi at Takutai Square for the Matariki Festival on 30 June
Maori Film Festival Screening of Te Rua at Ellen Melville Centre for the Matariki Festival on 30 June
Marilyn Waring book launch hosted by Zonta on 1 July
Eat Drink Love Ponsonby launch on 2 July
Spoke at the opening of the Franklin Road upgrade project on behalf of the Waitemata Local Board on 3 July
Abley new office opening on 3 July
Matariki Function for the Downtown Development project team at the Cloud on 3 July
Opening of Te Auaunga Project on 6 July (photo right)
Aotea Great Barrier Island protest against marine dumping in Aotea Square on 6 July
Te Hono a collaboration between Inside Out Productions and story-tellers Rewi Spraggon (Te Kawerau a Maki), Taiaha Hawke (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) and Pita Turei (Ngāti Paoa) held at the Concert Chamber as part of the Matariki Festival
Touch compass Inmotion Matariki parade on 6 July
LGNZ conference opening reception on 7 July and conference dinner on 8 July
Rangatahi o Tāmaki Makaurau (and Grant Hewitson from the Waitematā Low Carbon Network) speaking up for climate action. Photo credit: Cr Richard Hills
At the local board meeting on 4 June we supported member Denise Roche’s Notice of Motion calling for an Auckland Council declaration of an ecological and climate emergency.
Notice of Motion – Member D Roche – Ecological and Climate Emergency Declaration
MOVED by Member DR Roche, seconded by Member A Avendano Christie:
That the Waitematā Local Board:
a) note its concerns about the ecological and climate crisis
b) support any Auckland Council declaration of an ecological and climate emergency for the Auckland region
c) urge the Governing Body to declare an ecological and climate emergency for the Auckland region
d) note that the Governing Body will shortly be consulting on Auckland’s Climate Action Plan
e) forward these resolutions to the Environment and Community Committee, all local boards and to Auckland Transport for their consideration and immediate action.
Denise spoke at the Environment and Community Committee on 11 June on behalf of the local board. The Committee voted unanimously to join a growing community of cities around the world who have formally and publicly recognised the urgency for action on climate change by declaring a climate emergency.
“Our declaration further elevates the importance of an immediate national and global response to address our changing climate,” said Councillor Penny Hulse, chair of the committee.
Photo credit right Cr Richard Hills: Rangatahi o Tāmaki Makau Rau (and Grant Hewitson from the Waitematā Low Carbon Network) speaking up for climate action.
The local board is committed to road safety and street design which delivers “slower traffic speeds, safer intersections and footpaths and cycle lanes built to international best practice” (Local Board Plan 2017). The transport portfolio has been working on a number of safety related projects.
Solent St intersection
We have supported AT removing the slip lanes at Solent Street intersection design as part of the Tamaki Drive cycleway project (photo right: a truck using the slip lane at speed).
In a very surprising and disappointing letter the Ports of Auckland CEO has outlined why he opposes the removal of the slip lanes. Auckland Transport has provided a response robustly outlining why the preferred design has been chosen,
We support the programme Auckland Transport has underway to upgrade crossings to slow drivers down and make streets safer for pedestrians. This has resulted in improved crossings on Parnell Road (photo right).
The local board has also successfully advocated for new crossings on Kelmarna Ave by Marist School and College Hill by St Mary’s College.
Community Safety Fund
Local Boards have been allocated a share of a new one-off Community Safety Fund. This fund is $20 million split over the 2019/20 and 2020/21 Financial Years and is designed to address safety issues raised by local communities, that don’t meet Auckland Transport’s regional prioritisation for funding. The fund is divided between the 21 local board areas using the area’s numbers of Deaths and Serious Injuries, as a major component of the funding formula.
Waitematā Local Board has been allocated approx. $1.4m from the fund. A decision on which projects to progress to the next stage (AT preparation of rough order of costs) will be made at the business meeting on 18 June. Attachment 3 ( Item 24 ) outlines the projects considered for funding from the Community Safety Fund and additional projects the transport portfolio would like AT to progress.
Tactical Urbanism
Auckland Transport is working NZTA on a new Innovating streets toolkit to allow for quicker interventions that promote healthy and safe roads.
I have asked AT to consider the following projects for the quick win/tactical urbanism approach.
Midtown to the Domain route needing minor physical changes and wayfinding: Wellesley St cycle lane connection to the Princes St slip lane alongside Wellesley St up to Symonds St Bridge (cycle crossing phase at the intersection Wellesley/Princes St) crossing to Whitaker Place with ped crossing phase via Grafton Gully cycleway to Grafton Road “shared path” on northern side to the Domain
Painted cycle lane connection to the current feeder lane on Williamson Ave at Ponsonby Road. Eg connection to start at MacKelvie St intersection alongside the service station through Pollen St intersection (markings already exist as an oversize vehicle lane and no parking has to be removed)- this will create visibility of people on bikes as currently a safety issue with number of vehicle crossings into service station
Alex Evans Drive connection between Symonds St and Upper Queen St bridge/start of Ian McKinnnon cycleway – plans were developed about four years ago by AT
Crummer Road contra flow at Scanlan St – currently blocked to through traffic but ideal to create a cut through for people on bikes (currently used informally) – first logged with AT in 2011
We are however disappointed that the final design doesn’t include raised tables on the off ramps as recommended by AT. NZTA has advised as follows:
We have been working with AT but we are finding it challenging to find a solution that keeps all our vulnerable uses (cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclist) safe. The issue is that there is a lack of a policy position on raised tables at motorway interchanges. We have recognised this as an issue and we are working as quickly as possible to form a view. We are very cognisant that the world is changing and that we need to work with our partners (AT and stakeholders) to ensure our policies keep up with urban form and urban development.
To confirm where we are at:
The Transport Agency is happy with the off-ramp realignment, where the curve has been straightened
The Transport Agency is happy with the on-ramp alignment, although we would prefer that it is re-aligned to reduce entry speed
The Transport Agency has not made a decision on raised tables at motorway interchanges at this point. The AT proposal sets significant precedence and the lack of an Agency policy position has serious implications on other projects in Auckland and wider New Zealand
Until a policy can be confirmed we are advising that the Agency is not in support of raised table junctions at these locations
We have engaged with parties internal to the Agency to establish a path forward so we can have a clear direction going forward
This has been escalated to the highest point in our organisations and they are aware of the issue (Tier 2 in NZTA and CEO at AT)
As mentioned our safety team is working as quickly as possible to establish a path forward. It has been suggested that the works could be completed without raised tables, which could be retrofitted at a later date should it become policy.
NZTA is currently analysing the current consent and conditions and working to see if the preferred design fits within it. A variation is a possibility. A detailed business case is being currently being developed. Best case scenario is a Dec 2020 construction start.
A drop-in session is planned for 4 July between 4-8pm at Ponsonby Cruising Club, 141-151 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven. NZTA has reaffirmed this project is a priority for the Government.
On 4 June the Waitematā Local Board received a briefing on the outcomes of the resource consent hearing for the removal of pine trees at Te Wai Orea – Western Springs Lakeside Park and received recommendations on the next steps in order to progress the local board’s native forest restoration project. The resource consent has been granted for the removal of 200+ pine trees with a set of conditions.
The local board has accepted the advice of officers to proceed with the project. We considered the additional conditions and noted as follows:
The independent commissioners reviewed all the evidence presented and determined that removal of the pines in one operation as now proposed is a practicable approach to enhancing the indigenous biodiversity values of the SEA and providing for the appreciation of the park as an urban forest (para 145 of the decision)
The commissioners accepted that removal is required due to ongoing and increasing health and safety concerns in relation to the trees continuing decline and failure (para 117)
The alternative option of allowing the pines to fall and the indigenous vegetation to continue to develop was considered, but rejected as this would require the closure of the pine tree area and involve no access and no pest control. This will lead to the proliferation of pest plants and hinder the regeneration of the indigenous vegetation (para 119).
The methodology has been revised to focus on the aim of restoring and enhancing the park’s SEA values. The access track will only be to the width of the digger (up to 4m wide is consented, but likely to be less) and for 200m (50 per cent less area than originally proposed).
Removal of tree trunks will be limited and most will be mulched on site.
An independent ecologist will provide oversight to limit the damage to the understory. This will be minimised as much as possible – at the most extreme there could be up to 50 per cent damage to low level plants but due to the change in methodology damage is likely to be a lot less. Soil erosion and silt run off will also be minimised.
An independent arborist is required to oversee the works and will work closely with the independent ecologist to minimise damage from the tree felling
Planting will be from a “species palette” consistent with the SEA values. Up to 15,000 plants are available, but with the reduction in the plantable area (due to the trunks remaining in situ) there is likely to be space for approximately 10,000 plants
As part of the conditions Council will appoint a community liaison person to be available 12 hours per day; updates will be provided every second day on a purpose-built webpage
The next window for pine removal is now Feb/March 2020 (to avoid bird roosting season, wet weather etc). The whole operation including planting will take approximately 6 weeks. There will then be the opportunity for community engagement and involvement to determine the management going forward and potential track upgrades.
Officers have advised that unfortunately it is not possible to open the walking track in the interim. A buffer zone would need to be created alongside the track and as the trees are over 60m tall nearly all would need to be removed.
The commissioner’s decision can still be appealed. This will further delay the restoration project and limit the park’s use for public access and recreational purposes.
Western Springs Lakeside Park update
I have been providing a regular update on path cleaning and other maintenance matters at Westerns Springs Lakeside Park. Following my Ponsonby News update in May I received a complaint about the park and the accuracy of my reporting. I provided the following response (published in the June Ponsonby News):
I have visited the park and followed up with Mr Hay to confirm that what I reported in my Ponsonby News update is correct. I agree that we want Western Springs Lakeside Park to be well maintained but the huge amount of geese poo is an ongoing issue. Here is a summary from Council’s Senior Maintenance Delivery Coordinator about the action being taken: cleaning of the pathway is being completed a minimum of five times a week. The contractor has been instructed to check the path every day and if cleaning is required it is to be completed that day. The contractor has been using a combination of a sweeping vehicle and water blasting to clear the path. Recently Community Facilities has also been trialling some methods to keep the geese from congregating on the path. The most recent trial involves a low level temporary fence. It has been successful at keeping the geese off a portion but unfortunately the geese just move on to another area of the path and cause the same issues. Council’s long-term solution to reduce the number of geese will greatly improve the situation and at this stage we are aiming to begin control in late June.
The water quality and sediment issues that Mr Hay referred to have been forwarded on to Council’s Healthy Waters department. The rubbish floating at the water’s edge should be removed by the contractors as loose litter. A recent inspection has confirmed that the bins that should be in place are in place. There are still park benches that require replacement following last year’s storm.
City Centre amenities
The local board is championing the provision of public toilets in the city centre. Work is currently underway on a City Centre Amenities strategic review following the local board raising concerns that the public toilets at the new CRL stations will be located behind gate barriers with no plans to install accessible facilities and no part of council responsible for mapping the location of public toilets (the most up to date resource has been created by board member Vernon Tava on his personal website).
In the meantime Auckland Transport is rolling out a Bus Driver Exeloo Programme in the City Centre that also provides a public toilet in a number of locations. The programme includes a Exeloo on Lower Albert St that was installed last year and a new Exeloo opened on Victoria St at the beginning of June (photo right). The local board provided input into the locations and suggested including drinking fountains.
AT has provided the following update on other locations:
Quay Street (seaside 120m east of Tapora Street):This site supports bus layovers for some 24 buses opposite Vector Arena. The unit will sit between the new cycle path and the old footpath with access from the footpath side only. Because of the cycle traffic through this area, AT will also be installing a drinking fountain (with dog drinking bowl) to the specification requested by the LB.
City Works Depot: AT could not find a suitable site on Nelson (Wellesley St or Cook Street) and City Works Deport did not want an Exeloo on their Sale St frontage which they are developing. So we again approached CWD with a lease proposal. The agreement is to build a bespoke, secure keypad access, single-unit toilet within the CWD site, next to customer toilets in the Nelson St retaining wall. Drivers will access the toilet via the spiral stairs from Nelson Street. The agreement sees CWD designing, constructing, cleaning and maintaining the toilet for the exclusive use by bus drivers in exchange for an annual lease fee; ultimately the asset will pass to CWD once permanent bus layover facilities are created in the CBD.
FY19/20 Forward Plan: FY19/20 funding has yet to be confirmed, however AT Metro Service Delivery have approved a project mandate to investigate further Exeloo sites as follows:
Bus Driver Exeloo sites: Mayoral Drive (near AUT); Nuffield Street Newmarket; Hobson Street (between Wolfe & Wyndam St) Avondale Terminus (Copsey Place); Waikowhai Terminus
We’re fortunate to have an excellent maintenance manager for Waitematā. Karl (photo right) is passionately on the case sorting out issues in our parks.
On June he was happy to meet me for a site visit at the Domain (along with his boss) to look at a few maintenance issues that have been logged with me. Lots of work is underway to make the Domain a world class premier park.
For the first time Auckland Museum has an accessible (very grand and beautifully landscaped) pathway to the front door. On 27 May, the Mayor announced the new official name Te Ara Oranga (Attachment 4: Our Auckland Domain Pathway Officially Opened)
In another milestone for the Domain the new Wintergarden nursery glasshouses were blessed on 11 June by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Cr Mike Lee spoke at the opening.
Homelessness initiatives
We’re continuing to look at ways to fund small initiatives that complement Housing First Auckland and other regional projects that address homelessness. From a $20,000 allocation Lifewise Auckland will receive a $10,000 grant to support the initial scoping of an Auckland Housing Help Centre; an $8,000 grant will go to Heart of the City to support their Street Guardians Programme, and $2,000 will go towards volunteer training facilitated by the Auckland City Mission. (Attachment 5: Our Auckland Homeless Community shown support in Waitemata)
The city centre targeted rate paid by businesses and residents contributed $2million to the upgrade of James Liston Hostel in Freemans Bay. On 5 June the Mayor, joined by Minister Phil Twyford opened the newly revamped facility providing 55 emergency beds with wrap around services. It has been a tremendous effort by the Hostel Trust team led Dame Diane Robertson and supported by Lifewise and the City Mission.
Enhancing Auckland’s tree cover
On 2 June Stuff journalist Charlie Mitchell reported on The Aotearoa Chainsaw Massacre. In 2013 the former National-led government removed general tree protection rules leading to the loss of many urban trees. Here’s what the local board has been doing to enhance and protect tree cover:
opposed the RMA changes and have continued to advocate for tree protection
worked to identify trees to be scheduled in the Unitary Plan – this was work led by former board member Tricia Reade
included as many trees as possible in our projects (eg Teed St upgrade) and have pushed AT to identify new opportunities for tree pits
supported the revised City Centre Masterplan revised target of increasing streets trees in the city centre by 25 per cent by 2021.
support Auckland’s Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy and the Mayor’s 1 million trees project
working to develop a local urban ngahere implementation plan
funding tree planting for Arbor Day (Photo right: planting in Newmarket Park on 8 June)
funding volunteer plantings and regeneration projects
allocated a grant the Urban Tree Alliance for an Adopt a Tree event in Western Park
funded the LiDar (Light Detection and Ranging) data mapping to calculate the “canopy cover” of Waitemata
Deputy Chair Shale Chambers was part of the City Centre Advisory Board working group who have successfully secured agreement from AT to include more street trees in the Albert St upgrade design
And at Western Springs up to 15,000 new trees will be planted as part of a native bush regeneration project.
Annual Budget 19/20
At a business meeting on 4 June we approved the Waitemata local content for the Annual Budget 2019/2020 which includes a Local Board Agreement, a message from the chair, local board advocacy, and a local fees and charges schedule for 2019/2020. Each financial year, Auckland Council must have a Local Board Agreement between the Governing Body and each local board, for each local board area. On 20 June 2019, the Governing Body will meet to adopt Auckland Council’s Annual Budget 2019/2020, including 21 local board agreements.
Meeting with University of Auckland healthy homes researchers on 16 May
LGNZ National Council meeting in Wellington on 17 May (photo right with Mayor Justin Lester who recently announced his intention to make Lambton Quay car free)
Weekly chairs catch up held on 20 May, 27 May and 10 June
Meeting on 20 May hosted by Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore, local board representatives and Auckland Transport to discuss the speed bylaw implementation
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 21 May
Monthly catch up with the GM of the K’rd Business Association on 22 May
Communications meeting on 22 May
Auckland City Centre Advisory Board workshop and meeting on 22 May
Meeting on 23 May with Civic Events and Regional Facilities Auckland to discuss the organisation of citizenship ceremonies at the Town Hall
LGNZ Zone 1 meeting on 24 May
Meeting with the Pop Up Globe team on 24 May
Waitematā Local Board workshops on 28 May, 4 and 11 June
Transport portfolio meeting on 29 May
Joint Governing Body/Local Board Chairs meeting on 29 May
Meeting with Trevor Dunn and Boud Hammelburg, Advisors to Westhaven Forum Trust at Royal NZ Yacht Club on 31 May
Meeting with Community Facilities managers on 5 June to discuss Victoria Park car park driveway renewal
Domain Committee workshop and business meeting on 5 June
Meeting with Newmarket Business Association GM on 1 May
Domain Committee meeting on 5 June
Meeting with GM Parnell Business Association on 6 June
Attended meeting on 6 June organised by Hon Nikki Kaye with businesses impacted by CRL works
Meeting with Parnell Business Association GM on 5 June
Informal catch up with the Chair, Waiheke Local Board on 6 June
Local Board Chairs Monthly Forum on 10 June
Events and functions: 15 May until 11 June
Good Citizens Awards ceremony on 16 May (Attachment 7 Our Auckland and featured in Ponsonby News June update Attachment 8)
Auckland Writers Festival opening night party on 16 May
Literally Lorne, Auckland Writers Festival free event on 17 May
Te reo with Scottie Morrison, Auckland Writers Festival on 18 May
Tripartite 2019 (An economic alliance of LA, Guangzhou and Auckland coinciding with Tech Week) Welcome Reception for our international delegates and speakers on Sunday 19 May and attended an Innovation Showcase for Tripartite 2019 followed by lunch 20 May. I was interested to hear from Stephen Cheung, President World Trade Centre, LA about Los Angeles’ Clean Air Action Plan based on data and innovation to force changes to deal with the pollution and health implications of dirty bunker fuel. He was part of a panel on new trends in public and private sector data sharing.
With Tapata Wehi, founder The Haka Experience at the Go with Tourism Expo
Auckland Museum stakeholder breakfast on 23 May
Joined the community of St Matthew-in-the-City for a Powhiri and reception on 23 May to welcome our overseas guests who belong to an international network of inner city churches
Opened the Go with Tourism Expo on 24 May at Auckland Showgrounds
HiTech gala dinner on 24 May at the invitation of ATEED
Opening of the new walkway Te ara Oranga connecting Auckland Museum on 27 May
Pride Pledge launch on 28 May at Coco’s cantina at the invitation of Krd Business Association
Officiated at the Town Hall Citizenship Ceremony on 28 May
Attended Friends of Sustainable Coastlines event on 28 May
Opening of the Doc Edge Festival at Q Theatre on 29 May
New citizen Constable Pavee from Thailand and Karem Colmenares, Event organiser
Join the Dante Auckland at Winger Maserati to celebrate the Italian Republic Day on 2 June
Attended Open Iftar (dinner) 2019 hosted by New Zealand Eid Day at Ellen Melville Centre on 2 June
Mt Albert Electorate community morning tea with the PM on 5 June
Opening of James Liston Hostel by the Mayor on 5 June
China Business Awards dinner at Shed 10 on 6 June at the invitation of NZ China Council
Newmarket Business Association awards dinner on 7 June
Arbor Day tree planting in Newmarket Park on 8 June
Attended the opening of the Wintergarden nursery glasshouses at Auckland Domain on 11 June
Again Again co-founders Melissa Firth and Nada Piatek and Sustainable Business Network, CEO Rachel Brown
Spoke at the launch of Again Again, reusable cups as a service system, at The Store, Quay Street on 11 June
Delicious Oblivion, Cabaret Season Launch on 11 June at the Civic Theatre at the invitation of Auckland Live
The condition of Western Springs Te Wai Ōrea Lakeside Park has been a topic of concern raised by Ponsonby News correspondents and directly with the local board. The park is much-loved by Aucklanders for its beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. The area is significant for both its ecosystem and ecological diversity. Species that call the lakeside park home include native birds and an endangered native moss.
Last year I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Hudders, one of the original park designers who told me the tree planting around the periphery of the park was intended to provide glances across to the lake like a women’s skirt revealing a hint of petticoat but not too much! Peter, who is now in his 80’s, also explained that there had been pressure on the designers at the time to fence off the lake so they created a shallow edge instead.
Last year the local board released the draft Western Springs Lakeside Te Wai Ōrea park Development Plan for public feedback. The plan outlines our vision for the park which includes improved water quality in the lake and streams, connecting the surrounding areas via paths, and an upgraded playground. All of the ecology and wildlife at the park will benefit from improved water quality. Some of the actions we are looking at is managing the high nutrient levels, more planting around the lake edge, controlling the runoff and encouraging people not to feed birds in the lake. Options for visitors to be able to buy bird seed, from for instance the Zoo kiosk, will be investigated.
A Karuhiruhi pied shag catches an eel at Western Springs Photo Credit Cathy Casey
Our focus is on improving the existing state of the park to maximise the benefits it provides without making major changes. All the feedback has been taken into consideration in finalising the plan. For example we heard from St Lukes Environmental Protection Society that the rare rock forest – the result of volcanic eruptions – needs to be enhanced and protected. We’re expecting the final plan to be approved at a board meeting shortly.
In the meantime, a significant amount of work is being undertaken at the park. Auckland Council’s contractors have carried out a lot of maintenance work like clearing hazardous large fallen tree branches. The rubbish bins and handrails around the park have also been newly painted and the playground toilets have re-opened.
In addition to this, the lake’s water quality is being closely monitored by Auckland Council’s Wai Ora-Healthy Waterways team. They’re regularly removing rubbish and tree branches from the lake and clearing out the dams weekly. The results of their water monitoring work will be used to make future decisions about water quality management.
The park is audited weekly and contractors are currently complying with contract specifications. The amount of bird poo on the paths is an on-going issue following an explosion in geese numbers. Contractors have been asked to increase cleaning of a section of path that is bombarded by geese, which is being waterblasted daily when required. Options for managing the population are currently being reviewed.
Waitematā Local Board oversees more than 80 parks and reserves in the Waitematā area so we want them all to be well maintained to a high standard for everyone to enjoy.
This update was first published in the May edition of Ponsonby News
