Busy Monday and Tuesday Ahead

 

This week is my technical final round of engagements with the Unitary Plan – as far as this part of the process goes. Further engagements with and for the UP will continue after May 31 – keep an eye out for more details.

So where am I? Two rather large functions (to go out with a bang maybe 😉 – hey allowed the be “vein” once in a while 😛 ):

• May 13 – Monday: Karaka Hall. KARAKA PUBLIC MEETING – KARAKA COLLECTIVE PRESENTS – a public meeting hosted by the Karaka Residents Association where for the first time the Karaka Collective will be speaking publicly on their idea and reasons for both developing Karaka North and West, and wanting the Weymouth-Karaka Bridge. Okay this meeting is most likely going to be fiery with emotions running on both sides. However at least Karaka Collective are now planning to speak to the residents of Karaka and Weymouth on their plans. Those plans I have in PDF format over at the linked title above (in magenta).
• May 14 – Tuesday: Auckland Town Hall – Auckland Plan Committee (confirmed). I have a speaking slot here while the Unitary Plan is still under the feedback process to provide clarification on the Manukau City Centre idea. After giving the idea at the Manukau Civic Forum and through my subsequent post: MANUKAU AS THE SECOND CBD OF AUCKLAND; the idea has been noted by Council (Councillors and planners) as well as growing some legs and going for a run. So to save the councillors getting befuddled around Manukau I thought I might go and clarify what I mean with Manukau as our Second CBD.
• May 14 – Tuesday: Strata Cafe, University of Auckland – UP to You – A Generation Zero Unitary Plan Forum Event. From the Facebook flyer the event is:
  “Auckland will grow by 1 million people over the next 30 years. What will Auckland look like in 2043? The Unitary Plan is an Auckland-wide rulebook to shape the way we grow, calling for a quality, compact city.
  Since this is a vision for the future, its impact will be greatest on young people. How do we want our city to look? Where do we want to live? How do we get around, and what’s the cost of living in a bigger Auckland?
  Despite the great impact this plan will have on our lives, the youth voice is largely being ignored in this discussion. It’s time for young Aucklanders to speak up. Learn what it’s all about, talk to the planners, contribute your ideas, submit and have your say in the future of your city!“
  Already in the CBD that day giving my presentation to the Council that day so I might as well trundle along to this youth event and mingle with my counterparts and contemporaries in regards to the Unitary Plan. Should make for a very good evening  and looking forward to it. Also the first time I would have stepped back on University grounds since leaving the Planning School abruptly mid 2010 (never to and nor really wanting to return). Going to be an interesting moment back on the old haunting grounds.

 

The presentation material to the May 14 event can be found at my “MANUKAU: THE SECOND CBD OF AUCKLAND PRESENTATION” post. All other information can be found by clicking the relevant hyperlinks.

 

In the mean time I better go see what damage the cursed Housing Accord will go and do to Auckland and the Unitary Plan processes – especially for the Southern Rural Urban Boundary. Despite which some like Councillor Dick Quax might like to think; rather than all roses and coffee wafting through the air, cue the fan and a mega pile of cow/pig/horse/chicken/whatever-else manure to be flung when the real price of this accord is discovered. And believe me I won’t be any where nearby when that fan gets let off…

 

BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND