Off to Strategy and Finance Committee (Updated)

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

Off to Speak at Strategy and Finance Committee

 

On Manukau

 

[Updated with Committee Agenda now added]

This Thursday I will be off to Town Hall to give a five-minute presentation to the powerful Auckland Council Strategy and Finance Committee (the committee that oversees all budgetary functions of the Council including expenditure requests and rates settings) to speak on Auckland Transport‘s request for a budget reallocation so they can duplicate the Manukau Rail North Link. Auckland Transport are expected to speak at the same Committee as me for their request for the North Link duplication.

I have covered this issue of this North Link duplication in my “QUESTIONS TO ASK ON THE MANUKAU NORTH LINK‘ post. The questions that I am asking the Strategy and Finance Committee (which is a Committee of the Whole (20 Councillors and the Mayor) are in that particular post or in the embed below:

 

What I am going to stress here was made in Point 7 of my list of question in basically seeking clarification on why Auckland Transport are needing to bring this project forward 18 months now, and if this project must happen now that at the minimum that stupid mast that is now blocking the South Link path is moved as part of the works for the North Link duplication.

I will not be looking for a rejection straight off against AT in regards to these works but rather an adequate compromise that will: not comprise the South Link when it is built in due time; and serve as a win-win-win for AT, myself and Southern Auckland. However if a compromise can not be reached with AT then I will kindly ask the Committee to reject AT’s request for a second time.

So it is basically down to AT on which way their project swings. If they answer the questions I have given to Strategy and Finance adequately AND reach a satisfactory compromise, then I won’t further object to the North Link duplication. If the opposite occurs then I will simply object.

 

The ball is now in your court Auckland Transport.

 

The March Council Strategy and Finance Committee Agenda (without Addendum Agendas) 

 

2 thoughts on “Off to Strategy and Finance Committee (Updated)”

  1. If you don’t mind me saying Ben, you’re using most unprofessional language in your documentation to the Council. I’m sure they respect you desire to be heard but, you discredit yourself with using ALL CAPS and derogatory language which is not fit for the council chambers.

    1. Thanks for the comment/feedback. Admittedly I should of changed the Title off one of the posts that was linked in the documentation before kicking it through (The South Auckland One with the picture on it).

      However Council have done a straight copy paste job off a respective blog post with the questions rather than me sending through an attachment with the questions on it. Not going to blame anyone here – just me being a bit slow off the bat rectifying it before the agenda was released.

      However what is done is done and while the language could be considered strong although swearing is left out I am weighing off a the emotive side here.

      Mind you the questions via the blog have been up a for a week now and they keep an eye on it

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