This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities during June 2014 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, Chair of the Grants Committee, Deputy Chair of the Central Joint Funding Committee and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee.
From 14 June until 7 July I have also been acting Chair
Local Board Plan
During June I have been part of the Local Board team organising the Pecha Kucha event that will launch our draft Local Board Plan on 16 July at the Town Hall. We have a great line up of fantastic presenters who all in some way shape the beating heart of Tāmaki Makarau. This is the first time the Pecha Kucha format has been used for an engagement event by local government in New Zealand.
We’ve also planned a series of drop in sessions across Waitematā to answer questions on the draft Local Board Plan. Consultation starts on 7 July.
Community engagement
In addition to the Local Board Plan there is an overwhelming number of engagement processes underway or about to start. This is putting a lot of pressure on our local volunteer community groups who are understandably feeling very stretched:
The Auckland Council website Shape Auckland is the online hub for all consultations.
Ponsonby Road Plan
At our June meeting we adopted the final of the Ponsonby Road Plan that sets a framework for the development of Ponsonby Road over the next 30 years. The process to draft a Plan got under way with my Notice of Motion in October 2012. I am really delighted to have reached this point and thank all those who contributed, in particular, the members of the working group, all those who took the time to submit on the draft, Rebecca Sanders, Auckland Planner who put all the work in behind the scenes and Tricia Reade who brought her considerable enthusiasm to the project last term.
The Ponsonby Road Plan establishes five desired outcomes including recognising the area as a vibrant centre, protecting historic and cultural heritage and making the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
The plan can be found on the Council website under “Council Strategies and Plans”
Urban Regeneration and Renewal
At the Auckland conversation in June, Dr Tim Williams – CEO Committee for Sydney gave a beginners guide on Urban Regeneration and Renewal. Some highlights from his presentation that focused on “convergence” -how to achieve the best results through equalising disadvantaged parts of city with wealthier parts.
A mixed community is more important than clever financing, delivery vehicles and social projects in addressing inequality
The best city leaders do three things well:
- Achieve smart growth
- Do more for less
- Win support for change
You can’t reduce cost of housing by building more because the price is determined by 90% of current stock.
To keep things the same you have to change
Building more roads creates sprawl. Sprawl creates poverty. Sprawl may be killing social mobility
Reveal of Studio One
As acting Chair I had the good fortune to represent the Board at an event to reveal the new name for Art Station. My speech notes and a media release to announce Studio One are attached (ATTACHMENTS A and B)
Portfolio Reports: Community
Central Joint Funding Committee Meeting
The Committee with representatives of all the Central Local Boards (Chaired by Desley Simpson) met on 20 June to consider applications for grants from the Auckland City Cultural Heritage Fund (a legacy Auckland City Council fund for the purpose of conserving, restoring and protected valued historic heritage items).
A total of $23,326 was allocated from the second round of the 14/15 fund to 11 applicants (from a total of 18) with 7 grants made in the Waitematā Local Board area. Details of the successful applications are available on the Council website.
Kelmarna Organic Gardens
On 22 May, the Board office was made aware of an incident at Hukanui Reserve, which is occupied by Kelmarna Organic Gardens in Grey Lynn. Ashes from a recently deceased client were scattered over parts of the garden.
The gardens are on land that has been leased from the council to the Kelmarna Community Garden Trust for the last 32 years. The Trust has a licence with Framework Trust to operate the gardens. Framework Trust provides staff for the gardens as part of their ongoing rehabilitation programmes. All staff were withdrawn from the site following the incident, while the Kelmarna Community Garden Trust, Framework Trust and Auckland Council staff from Te Waka Angamua (Maori Strategy and Relations) decided how to proceed.
I attended a blessing on site on 3 June which allowed normal activities to resume and a follow- up meeting to discuss next steps with all those involved. I’ve been really impressed with the sensitive way the issue has been handled and the commitment to ensure the gardens continue to flourish.
The Board is considering the application for a new lease at Hukanui Reserve at our July meeting (refer meeting agenda). If the Board agrees the granting of a new lease this will be advertised for submissions and officers will commence iwi consultation.
Youth
Congratulations to Isabella Lenihan- Iken who was elected to the Youth Advisory Panel as the Waitematā representative during June. The details are attached in the youth update (ATTACHMENT C). Isabella’s induction to the Panel will be held on 28 July.
Myers Park Centenary meeting
There was a large turnout for the community meeting to discuss centenary celebrations for Myers Park next year.
Notes from the meeting are attached (ATTACHMENT D)
Other issues relevant to the Community portfolio
A range of meetings were attended during June relevant to the Community portfolio – these are listed below.
Portfolio reports: Transport
City Centre Route Optimisation
At our June meeting Auckland Transport reported on a number of small but important changes that have been underway in the City Centre aimed at improving the pedestrian experience. These are part of the route optimisation programme that is not just aimed at vehicle efficiency. For example:
- removal of the slip lane on Lower Albert Street (next to the new pocket park on Quay Street in the photo right)
- Installation of a Barnes dance on the intersection of Quay St and Hobson St
These positive changes were covered by Transport Blog in more detail on 10 June.
Auckland Transport Parking Discussion Document
At our June Board meeting we requested Auckland Transport extend the consultation period on the parking discussion document.
Due to the high level of interest on the issues raised by the discussion document the public consultation period has been extended to 31 July.
During June I attended meetings organised by the Freemans Bay Residents Association to discuss the parking approaches proposed by Auckland Transport to manage parking on residential streets.
After the storm
The June storm that brought down many trees in our area (including a large gum tree in Grey Lynn Park) also dumped lots of debris on our roads providing a unique opportunity to see how much road space is unused. Streetfilms has coined the expression “sneakdown” for this phenomenon when it occurs after heavy snowfall (a shorter way of saying snowy neckdown and a neckdown is another name for a kerb extension).
On Franklin Road we have the perfect amount of room for a cycle lane!
June resolutions in response to Auckland Transport’s Report
Resolution number WTM/2014/82
MOVED by Deputy Chairperson PJ Coom, seconded by Member CP Dempsey:
That the Auckland Transport Report – June 2014 be received.
That the Waitemata Local Board:
- Approves the design for the Upper Queen Street Bridge connecting the Grafton Gully cycleway to the North Western cycleway subject to intersection light phasing that prioritises walking and cycling.
- Approves funding a drinking fountain on the corner of Ian McKinnon Driveand Upper Queen Street as part of the Upper Queen Street Bridge cycleway design to the budget sum of $15,000 from the Waitemata Local Board Transport Capex Fund 12/13.
- Requests that Auckland Transport installs route way-finding signage along the entire Grafton Gully cycle way route and connection to the North-Western cycleway in time for the opening of the Upper Queen Street Bridge in September 2014.
- Requests that Auckland Transport investigate options for quickly providing a cycleway connection from the Upper Queen Street Bridge to Karangahape Road.
- That officers investigate the beautification of the bridge as a gateway feature into the city centre, to be included in the scope of the project and reported back to the Waitemata Local Board, as this endorses the City Centre Master Plan.
- That Priscilla Steel, Elected Members Liaison Manager (Auckland Transport) and Matthew Ah Mu, Engineer – Investigation & Design (Auckland Transport) be thanked for their attendance
CARRIED
Monthly transport update
A monthly update with Auckland Transport took place on 25 June. Current issues are reported back monthly by Auckland Transport on our public agenda including the details of the consultation undertaken with the Transport portfolio on behalf of the Board.
Workshops and meetings
In the period 1 June – 30 June I attended:
- Local Board workshop on 2 June
- Kelmarna Garden’s blessing on 3 June
- Community Development portfolio monthly catch up on 5 June
- Maori responsiveness training for elected representatives – a 2 part forum for elected representatives wishing to raise their awareness of the Māori fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, deepen their understanding of Councils commitments to Māori, and discuss ways of establishing and strengthening relationships with the communities, hapu, iwi and leaders within Maoridom. Content was delivered by subject matter experts from Te Waka Angamua Māori Strategy & Relations Department
- Ponsonby Business Association strategy meeting
- Te Kakano 1 (Te reo Māori ) Exam at AUT
- Waitemata Local Board business meeting at Grey Lynn Community Centre on 10 June
- Meeting with Kelmarna Gardens Trustees, Framework and Council advisers on 11 June
- Waitemata Local Board workshop on 12 June
- Briefing from Gerard Linstrom of Chorus re Ultra-Fast Broad Band rollout in Waitemata
- Standing Orders and meetings processes. A seminar to provide a comprehensive and interactive experience on the “ins and outs” of Standing Orders for Local Government meetings involving elected representative facilitated by Steve McDowell and Vern Walsh, of Meeting and Governance Solutions
- Freemans Bay Residents Association meetings on the Auckland Transport’s Parking Discussion Document on 12 June and 16 June
- Local Board workshop on 13 June
- Chair’s weekly update with Relationship Manager on 16 June
- St Luke’s notice of requirement meeting with Auckland Council legal team
- Myers Park Centenary meeting on 17 June (see meeting notes Attachment E)
- Waterfront Auckland Forum at the Voyager museum on 18 June Waterfront Auckland Chairman, Sir Bob Harvey and Chief Executive, John Dalzell spoke about the next stage of this development and how Waterfront Auckland will be progressing a comprehensive plan for the waterfront.
- Meeting with Freemans Park Body Corporate representatives to discuss overland flow path issues
- CDAC Work Programme discussion with Community Portfolio to review the 2014/2015 CDAC work programme for reporting to the July business meeting.
- Meeting with Central Library Manager to discuss CAB arrangements
- Central Joint Funding Committee Meeting – Auckland City Cultural Heritage Fund applications on 19 June
Standing Orders Political Working Party meeting (as alternate to the Chair who is the Board’s rep on the working party) – photo right with members of the working party (Photo Credit: Cathy Casey)- Chair’s weekly update with Relationship Manager on 23 June
- Local Board Chairs Forum meeting on 23 June
- Community meeting organised by the Grey Lynn Business Association to discuss the development application at 367-375 Great North Road
- Local Board Workshop on 24 June
- Meeting of PBA members to discuss the Local Alcohol Policy at the Longroom on Ponsonby Road on 24 June
- Ponsonby Community Centre committee meeting on 24 June
- Communications catch up on 25 June
- Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 25 June
- Meeting with Ernst Zollner, NZTA Director Auckland & Northland and Director Road Safety: to discuss NZTA projects in the Waitematā area
- Community Development portfolio monthly catch up on 26 June
- Meeting on 27 June with Freemans Bay Residents Association to discuss feedback on the Parking Discussion Document
- Meeting with Tony Skelton, Chair, St Marys Bay Association
Events and functions
In the period 1 June – 30 June I attended:
- Auckland Museum Solar Launch on 4 June (photo right)
- Pecha Kucha at Q Theatre on 4 June
- Cycle Action Auckland’s Associates Breakfast at the Auckland Art Gallery on 5 June
- POP Projects 02: Bee Jam at Art Station on 6 June
- Generation Zero Art Auction at Fizzy Vibes Gallery on 11 June
- Grey Lynn Business Association Networking drinks at the Grey Lynn RSC on 11 June
- Auckland Conversations: Urban Regeneration and Renewal: A beginners guide with Dr Tim Williams – CEO Committee for Sydney on 12 June at the Aotea Centre
- Annie at the Civic on 13 June
- Campaign for better transport AGM at the Grey Lynn Community Centre on 20 June
- POP project 06 , Hikoi at Western Springs on 21 June with Prince Davis (photo below)
- ATC production of Once on Chunuk Bair at the Maidment Theatre (at the invitation of ATC)
- New Zealand Opera – a special concert to announce five newly appointed Freemasons Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists at the Aotea Centre
- Tuesdays with Morrie at the Factory Theatre, Newmarket (at the invitation of the Newmarket Stage Company)
- Studio One Reveal on 27 June – The new name and identity for Artstation (Refer ATTACHMENTS A and B)
- Travelwise celebration hosted by Auckland Transport at Eden Park on 26 June
- Charandas Chor – the Honest Thief at TAPAC on 26 June (at the invitation of Prayas Theatre and TAPAC)
- Sunday Roast at Q Theatre on 27 June
- Matariki Dawn Karakia on 28 June at the Cloud to herald in the Maori New Year and commence the Matariki Festival (on until 28 July)
One thing I love about my role on the Waitematā Local Board is being part of making small, local projects happen. We often hear complaints that local government is slow, unresponsive and wasteful but in my experience I have found Council staff to be passionate, creative and willing to work hard to deliver on a tight budget. With political support they find ways to achieve, as Board Chair Shale Chambers likes to say, the Art of the Possible.
introduced her to Tracey the POP programme coordinator to find out if there was an opportunity for an artist’s POP project. Fortunately Tracey knew of a garden project ready to go (it was proposed for POP originally but did not get included in the pilot series), Shale approved the budget and everyone swung into action.
Botanica, Colleen Brennan, Michelle de Clay, Kerrie Van Heerden, Claudia Jowitt, Daddy and the Dames, Donna Kerridge, Richard Orjis, Wednesday Night Pottery, Amiria Puia-Taylor, AD Schierning, Bec Stanley, Bonni Tamati, Imogen Taylor, The Little Caterer, H.E.P.T, CVNZ Volunteers, The Watkins, Char Wiapo and Generation Zero.
