Someone had to stir up a hornet’s nest this morning in the Herald about kids playing in a playground.
From the NZ Herald
Kids’ flying fox irks residents at Stonefields
5:00 AM Wednesday Nov 26, 2014 – Anne Gibson
Stonefields neighbours complain after playground opens in front of their houses
The days of children screaming in delight as they whiz along a flying fox might be numbered at one housing development.
Signs are about to be put up and a noise assessment is under way after complaints about children making too much noise at the new playground next to the Stonefields estate.
Residents there are upset about an adventure kids’ park which opened in front of their houses a few weeks ago.
A large flying fox outside their front doors bringing what they say is excessive noise and large areas of sand – used to create a landing zone beneath the equipment – are their main issues.
Alan Gilder, of Galway Bay Tce, said he didn’t begrudge children the playground but he wants the flying fox and sand removed, is concerned about three tall climbing towers which he said were a potential hazard and said children endangered locals by riding bikes on footpaths.
“I would like the flying fox removed. It does get very noisy on the weekend and there’s sand everywhere. I certainly didn’t expect to have a beach on my doorstep. It gets inside. The park is awesome but they haven’t put a lot of thought into it – the flying fox generates a lot of squealing.”
Another resident, who has since sold her house, said meetings had been held with political representatives to resolve issues with the park.
Mr Gilder said pets defecated in the sand which created another safety hazard.
Stonefields is a joint venture between Fletcher Building and Todd Properties to develop the 2600-residence estate in a former quarry at the foot of Mt Wellington.
Fletcher Residential general manager Ken Lotu-Iiga said he had initially not been aware of issues with the park.
“We have referred a few people on to Todd but it’s something that came to light when the park was constructed,” he said.
Desley Simpson, chairwoman of the Orakei Local Board which funded the playground, said issues were being discussed with a view to resolution.
Okay granted sand might not be the most practical idea I could think of but for the rest it looks like pure NIMBYism and wrapping kids up in Politically Correct cotton wool.
If the kids were screaming like hell in the night there would be grounds for complaints. But during the day especially as summer is coming (and a loo is to be installed I hear)? Come on, we are meant to be encouraging kids outside not cotton wool them up and plant them behind Play Stations…..
For those inclined below is the report that has cleared the Honourable Judith Collins (she got her title back today) if meddling with the Serious Fraud Office. Judith is my Papakura Electorate MP as well.
Note if I have embedded it via Scribd it means you can read the PDF straight without having to “download” into your Temp Folder to read it thus consuming bandwidth especially if on a mobile or tablet device. You might need the Scribd App prior first but it isn’t large and good to have on hand.
Twitter has gone off its collective nut in regards to Central politics this morning while my Facebook feed has gone of its own collective nut in regards to Auckland Council politics.
John Key is planning to release the report prepared by Justice Lester Chisholm into allegations of a smear campaign against the former head of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Adam Feeley. Slightly Left understands that the report clears Ms Collins of any wrongdoing in relation to any such campaign against the former SFO Chief.
We also understand from sources close to the PM’s office that the report slams the NZ Herald for working with Cameron Slater.
We would like to know whether Fran O’Sullivan stands by her statements that she was not involved in the attack on Feeley and we would also like to know how many times NZ Herald Investigations Editor, Jared Savage, leaked information to either Cathy Odgers (Cactus Kate) or WhaleOil in order for them to launch attacks on Feeley.
Some serious questions requiring some serious answers from supposedly serious journalists.
I remember when apply for a job that dealt with the implantation side of the Auckland Plan and how I got a phone call (and I had to make one later on because the HR department “forgot” to update me) after progressing through various recruitment rounds only to find out that job no longer existed due to “budget cuts.” Those budget cuts were the review that was happening in the Planning division of Auckland Council at the time. So after being told of budget cuts did I see three new positions for Auckland Plan implementation open up although this time for three senior managers.
And here they are – this from Auckland Council
New staff to boost delivery of Auckland Plan
Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer Roger Blakeley has appointed three new senior staff after a review of the planning division saw a realignment of responsibilities designed to future-proof the council’s strategy and planning team and help to create the world’s most liveable city.
Roger Blakeley says that the first four years of the division were about establishing the planning framework for a unified Auckland, developing long-term strategic plans to guide Auckland’s development.
“Our focus now is to build on those foundations and shift towards delivery on the ground, as well as completing some of the major planning work such as the council input to the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan process.
“This is about turning the Auckland Plan’s ambitious goals into reality, delivering value for money and action on the ground for residents, customers, citizens and visitors. It is also about scanning international trends amongst liveable cities and providing high level strategic advice to the council.” he says.
“I’m thrilled to fill these three key roles with high calibre candidates, each with a wealth of knowledge and experience in their field.”
They are:
Kataraina Maki has been appointed General Manager, Community and Social Policy. This is a new role created to lead the development of high quality community and social policy advice for the Governing Body and its committees. She has a strong record of achievement in community policy-funding and social policy environments in local and central government. Her most recent role has been as the General Manager of the Glenn Enquiry into child abuse and domestic violence. She is currently based in the Bay of Plenty.
Chris Parker has been appointed Chief Economist until August 2016 while Chief Economist Geoff Cooper is on sabbatical at Princeton. He will provide advice on Auckland’s economic issues for the Mayor and elected representatives. He also will provide advice on the state of the Auckland economy to the Auckland community. Chris currently works as a Senior Economist for the NZ Institute of Economic Research. He has extensive experience in cost-benefit appraisal and developing policies, regulations and public investment strategies. He has provided economic advice on the City Centre Masterplan, City Rail Link and the additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing and other major transport projects. He is currently based in Wellington.
John Mauro has been appointed Chief Sustainability Officer. In this newly-created role, John will promote sustainability practices within council and in Auckland generally. John recently worked as Principal Transport Planner in the council’s Strategy and Research Team. Before that he worked for a US organisation and was responsible for mobilising business support for major transport legislation, and as a climate policy analyst in the Mayor of Seattle’s office, where he helped the Mayor establish a coalition of one thousand US mayors for climate protection. He has also had experience in working with non-government organisations promoting liveable communities and smart growth. John brings leadership skills, policy understanding and experience working at a senior political level.
Further senior staff appointments will be announced in the near future…..
—-ends—-
The podcast on the new Auckland Development CCO will be put up later in the afternoon. But I hold the suspicion of too my chiefs at the top and not enough Indians at the bottom to get anything meaningful really done. Remembering while the Auckland Plan annual update gave the implementation a pass rate, three of the big key factors that affect Auckland’s health were still off target….
Slightly Left of Centre has received information that PM John Key’s self-styled “black-ops” man Jason Ede refused to attend an inquiry held by Inspector General of Security and Intelligence (SIS), Cheryl Gwyn, choosing instead to provide only a written statement in relation to the potentially inappropriate and politically motivated release of information by the SIS during the 2011 election campaign.
Despite repeated attempts by the inquiry to question Mr Ede further on his involvement to WhaleOil blogger, Cameron Slater, Mr Ede failed to front up.
This information, which was declassified and released to Slater under the Official Information Act (OIA), directly contradicted Phil Goff’s denials that he was briefed by SIS director, Warren Tucker, about suspected Israeli agents in Canterbury at the time of the earthquakes, causing Mr Goff significant embarrassment at a politically sensitive moment.
Labour sources confirm that the report, entitled Inquiry by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Concerning Release of Information…
Time running out to have your say on legal highs issue
Aucklanders are being urged to make sure they have their say on the issue of the sale of legal highs as consultation closes this Friday.
Councillor George Wood, chairperson of the Auckland Council Regional Strategy and Policy Committee, says that Auckland needs to be ready for when the products are legal again.
“Whether we like it or not, central government will at some point license these substances to be sold again. When that happens, this policy will dictate where that will happen in Auckland.
“It may be that you object to the sale of the products near your home, near your child’s school or anywhere in the city- or it may be that you are perfectly fine with them being sold.
“Whichever side of the debate you sit on, the consultation is happening now, and it will be too late to have your say once the policy is in place.
“This is a decision of huge significance for the people of this city. It will likely impact on all of us in some way. So make sure your voice is heard before time runs out.”
The consultation on the Local Approved Product Policy closes at 4pm on Friday 28 November and will help decide where psychoactive substances can be sold in Auckland once licensed by government.
Talking Southern Auckland 