Covering activities from 1 August – 31 August 2011
Portfolio reports for the month
Transport
Jesse Chalmers stepped down from the Transport Portfolio – West at the August Local Board meeting of the Board and was replaced by Member Moyle. The Transport portfolio meets monthly with representatives from Auckland Transport. The August meeting was attended by myself and Greg Moyle (Transport Portfolio – West) and Rob Thomas Transport Portfolio – East).
Consultation by Auckland Transport that the Transport Portfolio responded to during August and updates to matters on our Issues Register are reported on each month by Auckland Transport at our Board meeting (the full reports are available at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitemata under agendas).
New bus services and routes commenced on 14 August as a result of the Central Flagship Project to improve the efficiency of the bus network. Unfortunately the termination of the 015/017 services and partial replacement by the new 020 bus route (via Wellington Street) has had a significant impact on the Freeman’s Bay community. Many residents have contacted me directly about the issue. On 31 August I attended a public meeting organised by MP Jacinda Ardern at Rupas café for residents to voice their concerns to Auckland Transport.
The Transport Portfolio met with AT engineers to discuss the road safety improvements proposed as a result of travel planning at Parnell District School. The Board as a whole met with NZTA Regional Director Stephen Town to discuss the NZTA projects that are relevant to our local board area. I also attended the Transport Committee meeting on 15 August and the launch of the new LINK services at Jellicoe Street on 19 August.
Community
Submissions on our draft Local Board Plan closed on 8 August with over 130 submissions received in total. Hearings were held over 2 days 25 and 26 August. As noted in the report by officers on the submissions the vast majority of submissions were supportive of the Waitemata Local Board plan in entirety or for the most part. This is a positive sign for the Board and is likely a product of significant community engagement in the early phase of the plan development.
I also attended the joint local Board hearings on Friday 19 August relating to all draft local board plans. I attended the site visit to Argyle Street with officers to determine the potential community uses for the former Masonic Lodge that was purchased by the former Auckland City Council Officers briefed me and Tricia Reade (community portfolio team) on the community leasing portfolio so we can better understand the Council properties available to the community. During August the Communities portfolio also met with the Vicar Susan Adams and Project Manager Dheepa Nedungat to discuss the proposed community facility development at St Columba Church. And with Parnell Trust to better understand their services, facilities and funding arrangements.
Grants Committee
The Committee held its second meeting on 2 August to agree the annual funds available for community grants, the objectives of the funds and criteria for applications. The minutes of the meeting are available here http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/localboards/otarapapatoetoelocalboard/meetings/waitematagrantscommin20110802.pdf
Other board activities
Local Board briefings
Attended the Strategy and Direction Setting briefing/workshop on the Long Term plan organised for all local Boards by the Council plan team on 3 August.
Local Board Workshops Attended:
- Monthly Workshop on 2 August with presentations by Watercare and the City Centre Masterplan team
- Making the city fun for children and young people Workshop on 23 August
Meetings Attended:
- Meeting with representatives of the Eden Terrace Business Association regarding the support the board can give to business associations
- Grey Lynn Business Association Board meeting on 9 August
- Waterfront Auckland’s presentation to the Waitemata Local Board on the draft waterfront plan
- Meeting with the Major Events Team regarding Rugby World Cup activities within Waitemata Local Board area
- Meeting with Roger Blakely to discuss the Board’s comments on the draft Auckland Plan
- Make Auckland Fair Trade August steering committee meeting
- Rugby World Cup Transport briefing for Local Boards at Puketapapa Local Board office on 17 August.
- Meeting with members of the Western Springs Football Club to understand the needs of the club in relation to all season playing surfaces
- City Centre masterplan presentation to the Waitemata Local Board
- Waterfront Auckland’s presentation to the Central Local Boards on the draft waterfront plan
- Meeting with representatives from Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to discuss the future of the TVNZ bus stop on Victoria Street West
- Meeting to progress “Playing in the Streets” proposal (as presented to the July Local Board meeting)
Events I attended the following events during August:
- Opening of Q-Theatre
- Tree planting at Newmarket Park with children from Newmarket School
- Auckland Theatre Company’s production of “Calendar Girls” (at the invitation of ATC)
- Grey Lynn Business Association August networking drinks
- Opening of Ernst & Young and Westpac buildings by Mayor Len Brown and PM John Key.
- Opening of the three major art installations at Auckland Art Gallery
- Opening of ‘Furniture of the World’, Photographs by Maree Horner in the Bledisloe Walkway
- Launch of Auckland Harbour Bridge pathway concept at Wynyard Quarter with Mayor Len Brown on Sunday 21 August
- Citizenship Ceremony at the Town Hall 22 August
- Auckland Migrant Services – launch of first specialist settlement website 24 August
- Cycle Action Auckland AGM and connectivity presentation by Stephen Town, NZTA Regional Director
- K’rd bus stop opening
- Mayor in the Chair at Leys Institute, Ponsonby
- Opening of Jacob’s Ladder by the Victoria Park Alliance
- Sustainable Business presentation organised by the Grey Lynn Business Association
I was also in the line-up for Pecha Kucha Night Auckland on 18 August with a presentation called “Frocks on Bikes – how stylish cycling is changing bike culture”