Covering activities from 1 November – 30 November 2011
Portfolio reports for the month
Transport
A number of matters are progressing with Auckland Transport. Full details of current proposals and issues are outlined in Auckland Transport’s monthly report attached to the Board agenda (available at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitemataunder agendas). The Transport portfolio meets monthly with representatives from Auckland Transport. The November meeting was attended by myself (Transport Portfolio – West) and Christopher Dempsey and Rob Thomas (Transport Portfolio – East). Issues covered at the meeting included:
- New textured surface proposed for Ponsonby Road
- Symonds St proposed 40km zone
- Mid-block crossing proposed for Victoria Street West
- Updates on parking design and proposed changes to parking restrictions in the Wynyard Quarter, Eden Terrace, Graham Street and St Marys Bay
- Update from ARMA (AT’s contractor) regarding Bowen Street upgrade and proposals for Franklin Road
I also meet with Auckland Transport during the month to discuss the Regional Cycle Network (with Christopher Dempsey) and to progress the report to Vine Street residents on options available to ensure access to the street and sufficient on-street parking (with Greg Moyle) and to consider plans for the signalisation of the Motions Road/Great North Road intersection. At our September Board meeting ARMA and AT were asked to consider options for providing pedestrian facilities on Bowen Street as part of the street upgrade. Despite the goal of the City Centre Masterplan to make Auckland a pedestrian friendly city it is disappointing that after further investigation, Auckland Transport has decided not to make any changes to the initial design. Relevant to the Transport portfolio I also attended the Governing Body’s Transport committee on 18 November.
Community
We have worked to progress:
- Input into the developing Community Assistance Framework
- Options for supporting groups based within our area that are currently at risk due to missing out on Accommodation support funding
- Proposals for the Masonic Lodge Salisbury Reserve Herne Bay- with a public consultation meeting held on 16 November
- Feedback to Community Development Arts & Culture on the proposed Graffiti Vandalism plan
- Issues relating to anti-social behaviour in the central city. I visited Divan Café in Exchange Lane to discuss issues experienced by this business.
We also met the new Programme Advisor Disability to discuss action for creating an accessible board and attended a regular monthly meeting with Community Developments and Partnerships Central. I also attended Mayor in the Chair at Wynyard Quarter on 1 November that marked the first anniversary of Auckland Council.
Grey Lynn Business Association
Attended the GLBA AGM on 3 November and was re-elected to the Board. Attended the Community Safety Meeting organised by the GLBA on 4 November and the first meeting of the new board on 8 November.
Leadership support
As Deputy Chair I supported the Chair in developing the board’s communications strategy with the Board communication’s advisor in particular to progress content for the Board’s advertorial which appeared for the first time in suburban newspapers during November. Worked to progress the Waitemata Local Board’s First Year Achievement’s Report and coordinated the launch of the Local Board plan on 29 November. I also attended the Local Board Chair’s forum meeting in November on behalf of the Chair.
Other board activities
Local Board Workshops Attended:
- Waitemata Local Board workshop on 1 November
- Waitemata Local Board workshop on 15 November
- Half day workshop with Local boards and the Governing Body on 23 November on long-term plan issues including long -term plan matters such as the funding allocation and methodology, ten-year budgets for local activities, financial policies and issues for advocacy to the governing body and CCOs.
Meetings Attended:
- Community Assistance Framework meeting on 2 November
- Waitemata Local Board meeting on 8 November (leaving early to attend the SBN awards)
- Introduction to the new Programme advisor disability and actions to become an accessible board on 2 November
- Waste minimisation and resource recovery options within Waitemata with John Roscoe on 3 November
- Green waste recycling presentation
- Fortnightly communications update
- Coastal Walkway project to discuss the board’s queries re progress on the coastal walkway project, and some certainty around the budget, timeframe and nature of the walkway
- Public consultation meeting held on 16 November regarding Masonic Lodge Salisbury Reserve Herne Bay
- Resource Recovery Centre feasibility with Warren Snow on 17 November
- Board Chair’s meeting on 21 November (stand-in to the Chair)
- Meeting with Parnell Inc. to discuss Local Board funding
- Follow up on LTP and preparation for presentation to Governing Body
Professional development
Attended the lunchtime learning on 17 November with Jan Gehl “Auckland- Creating a City for People”. He particularly focused on the critical need for cycle infrastructure to transform a city.
Official Engagements Represented the Board at:
- Awarding Enviroschools’ Green Gold to St James Kindergarten, Arch Hill (Attached and marked Attachment A is the speech given at the ceremony)
- Pohutakawa for Peace Tree Planting Ceremony organised by the Peace Foundation at the Domain on 11 November (Attached and marked Attachment B is the short speech given at the planting)
- Citizenship Ceremony (together with Christopher Dempsey) at the Town Hall on Friday 18 November
Events and functions I attended the following during November:
- MOTAT aviation hall opening
- Launch of Art in the Dark and the event held on 11 and 12 November
- Sleeping Beauty at the Civic (at the invitation of the Royal NZ Ballet)
- Parnell Festival of the Roses on Saturday 5 November
- Grey Lynn Park Festival (where I organised the Eco-space of Grey Lynn 2030)
- Cycle Action November Associates Breakfast
- SBN awards
- Conscious Commuter Breakfast and the Sustainable City Showcase– all day attendance at Shed 10 on a Grey Lynn 2030 stand in the community space and ending with Green Drinks
- St Matthew in the City Remembrance Day parade and service
- Tamaki Drive Masterplan launch by the Orakei Local Board on 23 November
- Cycle Action Auckland’s Christmas function
- Waitemata Local Board plan launch on 29 November