Waiheke Quiet Sky Archives

General update

Anzac day 2022 Auckland museum photo Michael Craig

My Councillor report covers the period from 6 April to 6 May. It has been prepared for the May business meetings of the Waitematā, Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier 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.

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
Member, Joint Governance Working Party
Member, Climate Political Reference Group
Member, Waste Political Advisory Group
All Councillors are members of the Planning, CCO Oversight, Finance & Performance and the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committees

Summary

April included Easter holidays, Anzac Day and a recess week for the Governing Body.
As of 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 April, Tāmaki Makaurau and the whole of Aotearoa is at the Orange setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework’s traffic light system. Council meetings have subsequently moved to a hybrid model of in-person and remote. In line with government advice, vaccine passes are no longer required at Auckland Council’s sites and facilities.
Results from consultation on the Annual Budget 2022/23 including the Climate Action Targeted Rate were released in early May, showing strong support for the Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR) from Aucklanders.
Feedback on the council’s preliminary response to the NPS-UD and MDRS opened on 19 April and closes 9 May. I have attended all the online consultation events hosted by council. The feedback will help inform council’s proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan that are required by government to be notified in August.
On 7 April spoke at the Women4Climate launch event held online
Speaking at the ride for safety rally at Te Komititanga

I spoke at a bike rally on 9 April calling for more to be done about cycling safety following the deaths of two riders in just one month.
A 75% government funded project to build two new fully-electric ferries on Auckland Harbour operated by Auckland Transport were announced by the Mayor and
Electric ferry announcement on Queens Wharf by Minister Woods and Mayor Goff

the Minister for Energy and Resources on 26 April.
Construction on the Myers Park underpass started on 28 April. It includes a multi-discipinary art installation giving life to wai Horotiu
City of Colour, a three-week programme of light installations within the city centre opened on 5 May as part of a recovery response package.
On 5 May City Rail Link stations new names were announced. The stations names and design will emphasise Māori culture and heritage.
The Planning Committee on 5 May confirmed that work is underway on a compliance investigation and the development of a resource consent practice note in response to the concerns that have been raised by Aotea Great Barrier, Waiheke and Waitematā Local Board regarding helicopters (final decision item 8)
Also at the Planning Committee meeting we endorsed the intent and direction of the Auckland Cycling and Micro mobility Programme Business Case and a prioritisation approach towards achieving 7% cycling mode share goal by 2030. This was reported incorrectly as a decision to fund $2bn of cycleways. In fact, it was about the prioritisation of $306m that is already allocated in the Regional Land Transport Plan for investment over the next 10 years. I have been on a political reference group with Cllrs Dalton and Darby and Local Board member Louise Johnston and Chair Lemauga Lydia Sosene to provide input into the business case.
Opening of the Ecomatters Bike hub at Queens Wharf. Photo M Crawford

Events attended during the month included the opening on 21 April of the new downtown central Bike Hub on Queens Wharf operated by EcoMatters, Earth Day event in Aotea Square and the AGMs of the Grey Lynn Residents Association and the Herne Bay Residents Association.

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 of key decisions.

On 7 April the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee

Approved the Regional Arts and Culture grant allocation: round two 2021/2022
Approved a 12-month agreement to continue funding Auckland Foundation from July 2022-June 2023 with more targeted expectations aligned to Parks and Community 10-year budget priorities.
Delegated authority to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Councillors Hills and Coom, and an Independent Māori Statutory Board member to approve the council’s submission on the Ministry for the Environment’s proposed changes to transform recycling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Approved Auckland Council staff to work with Auckland Transport and relevant stakeholders to develop play streets guidance for Tāmaki Makaurau.
Received the update on ‘Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau – Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework’ including the next steps for implementation.
Approved the council whānau Statement of Commitment: Kia mahi tahi te whakaiti i te kino ka hua i te waipiro / Work together to minimise the harm from alcohol
Received the findings of the Auckland Council’s Papatoetoe community provision investigation 2021

On 26 April the Council Controlled Organisation Oversight Committee

Received the overview of the implementation programme for the Council-controlled Organisations Review
Approved shareholder comments on draft CCO Statements of Intent 2022-2025 (I have been working to ensure council’s transport emission reduction target of 64% by 2030 is embedded in AT’s SOI)

On 28 April the Governing Body

Considered proposed funding contributions to regional cultural and safety amenities 2022/2023
Approved the Bylaw Panel recommendations on the amended Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Te Ture-ā-rohe Wai Āwhā 2015 / Auckland Council Stormwater Bylaw 2015.
Approved the Bylaw Panel’s recommendations on the proposed changes to the Auckland Council Te Ture ā-rohe Tiaki Rawa me Ngā Mahi Whakapōrearea 2015 / Property Maintenance and Nuisance Bylaw 2015

On 3 May the Planning Committee

Endorsed the intent and direction of the Auckland Cycling and Micromobility Programme Business Case and a prioritisation approach towards achieving 7% cycling mode share goal by 2030
Approved plan changes to enable the installation of rainwater tanks in residential and rural zones
Considered resolutions from the Aotea/Great Barrier, Waiheke and Waitematā Local Boards regarding concerns about helicopter activity. The amended resolution was moved by Chair Darby, I seconded and in speaking in support acknowledged the work of the local boards, Quiet Sky Waiheke and the Herne Bay Residents Association with regards to the negative impacts of helicopter activity:

My Councillor report covers the period from 11 July 2021 until 7 August 2021. It has been prepared for the August business meetings of the Waitematā, Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier Local Boards.

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
Member, Joint Governance Working Party
Member, Waste Political Advisory Group

Summary

The governing body took a two-week recess 11 July – 26 July (when there are no official meetings and it is an opportunity to have a break). During this time I attended the LGNZ Conference in Blenheim 14-17 July (photo above for the mihi whakatau I attended as a National Council board member), held a Councillor clinic on Waiheke, presented my monthly report to the Waitematā and Waiheke Local Board meetings and attended the reopening of the upgraded Puhinui train station.

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 29 July the Governing Body

received report from Ports of Auckland Limited on progress with implementation of the recommendations from the independent review of health and safety at Ports of Auckland.
noted the third quarter 2020/21 report of Auckland War Memorial Museum
received confidential Auckland Council Shaping our Future Programme update on Optimise our Service Outcomes work

On 29 July the Finance and Performance Committee

confirmed that the resolutions and report Optimise our Service Outcomes remain confidential until the reasons for confidentiality no longer exist, including communication with potentially affected staff.

On 3 August the Appointments and Performance Committee

approved the brief for Watercare Services board appointments
approved appointments to the Contemporary Arts Foundation and reinstatement of the CCO Board intern programme (decisions to be made public at the conclusion of the appointment process)
received and approved the reviewed 2021 Appointments and Performance Review Committee forward work programme
noted the confidential decisions and related information that is now publicly available:

i) Appointments to Auckland Council’s Council-Controlled Organisations
ii) Board Appointments to Tamaki Redevelopment Company Limited

iii) Board Appointments to Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board

iv) Appointments to the board of Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust
v) Board Appointments: Panuku Development Auckland
vi) Appointments to the board of Auckland Unlimited

vii) Appointments to the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board.

On 5 August the Planning Committee

received the Quiet Sky petition from Kim Whitaker in relation to the control of helicopter traffic on Waiheke Island and referred it to staff for consideration and response
received the Waiheke Local Board input from Chair Cath alongside Nalayini Brito from Dark Sky Waiheke regarding a Dark Sky Park application for the east end of Waiheke Island
revoked the previous resolution from Planning Committee to develop a Marina Strategy
endorsed the preliminary approaches in response to the intensification provisions relating to “all other locations” in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.

Attendance at events 11 July -7 August 2021

with Cr Hills and the PM who was just about to give the government’s address to the LGNZ conference 2021 in Blenheim

During 14-17 July I attended the LGNZ National Council board meeting, the Te Maruata Hui the annual conference deferred from 2019 and the LGNZ AGM (a report back on the conference will be available on my next report).
On 19 July I MC’d Zonta’s International Women’s Day event celebrating achievements of notable women in our communities. The event had been previously postponed due to the pandemic.
On 20 July I attended the Waitematā Local Board Business meeting to present my July report
On 21 July I visited Waiheke island, hosted a Councillor’s Clinic at the Local Board offices to meet with locals. In the evening I also attended the Waiheke Local Board Business meeting.
Downtown’s Te Kōrimurimu with artist Tessa Harris and the Mayor

On 22 July I attended with the Mayor the opening of Kōrimurimu, interactive art work laid down at Te Wānanga on Quay St is a modern take on traditional raranga (weaving).
Also on 22 July I attended in an LGNZ update about Three Waters
On 24 July I attended the re-opening of Puhinui station, unlocking fast, frequent and easy connections to Auckland Airport
On 26 July I attended the ACCAB meeting and joined the ACCAB and Waitematā Local Board members for an Auckland City Mission evening at their new HomeGround Pop-Up on Wellesley Street. I also attended the GLBA meeting with AT to discuss connected community plans for Great North Road through the Surrey Cres shops (AT confirmed these plans are 3-5 years away)
Receiving a copy of the Quiet Sky Waiheke petition

On 28 July I was presented with a copy of a petition from Quiet Sky Waiheke to reduce helicopter traffic over Waiheke. The petition was officially presented to Auckland Council Planning Committee meeting on 5 August.
The Auckland Council team at the Zero Waste Awards 2021

On 29 July I attended the Zero Waste Awards 2021 at AUT where 114 individuals, groups, schools, marae, local businesses and social enterprises were nominated for this year’s awards, recognising those doing great things to help Auckland achieve its vision of zero waste by 2040. EcoMatters Environment Trust organised this year’s awards, in partnership with Auckland Council
On 30 July I attended a workshop with the Future for Local Government Panel for all Auckland Council elected representatives (photo right) and attended Auckland Transport’s isthmus elected representative Discussion Series – Innovating Streets
On 5 August I attended the leaving function for Damon Birchfield, Eco Matters CEO
On 6 August attended the opening of the new Ponsonby Road office for Labour List MPs Helen White and Camilla Belich
On 7 August I spoke after the pōwhiri led by Ngāti Whātua Orākei for the new re-imagined birthday event HAUMI, celebrating the people, places and spaces of Wynyard Quarter on the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Waterfront. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the amazing Eke Panuku placemaking that makes Wynyard such a great environment and to remember the opening 10 years ago.

Tag: Waiheke Quiet Sky

Councillor monthly report May 2022

Councillor monthly report August 2021