Author: Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

Admin and author of Talking Auckland Blog ( http://voakl.net )

Progress

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In effect it a small strengthening of our existing laws around taxation of gains made in the sale of residential property.

I suppose some wider questions now come to mind such as ‘Why now” and “Has National lost the narrative (spin) on this one?”

I suppose if a Government was being serious a Capital Gains Tax would be universalised to include the Family home backed by a 1% of Rateable Value Vacant Land Tax to be paid annually.

As Auckland breaks so does my heart…

· 4 Comments ·

Found this earlier

Ties in with my post tomorrow on the Transport Accord and why Council should say “NO!”

sinisterdisco's avatarsinisterdisco

John keyDear Mr Key,

I will aim to keep this short and not take up too much of your time.  I will also try to keep my emotions from tainting my words but it may be rather difficult so please do forgive me if that is what happens during the course of this email.  The reason I have contacted you is mostly to give you a personal account of how the housing crisis is affecting young couples in Auckland (and in other areas of NZ) and to let you know that the struggle is real.  The struggle is also isolating because young renters only have each other as allies, so I have written to you on behalf of them, on behalf of all of us who just can’t take the insanity anymore.

My story

My partner and I don’t want anything flash nor do we care about living in the city…

View original post 502 more words

Devonport Library Smashes – Records

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New Library does very well

From Auckland Council:

Devonport Library smashes records in first three months

 Three months in and Devonport’s new library is smashing records for visitor numbers, WiFi use and new memberships.

Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua, the new Devonport Library, has drawn a record number of visitors, with 93,369 visits between February and April this year. There were 27,289[1] visitors during the same months in 2014, and 45,514 during that period in 2013.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair Joseph Bergin says the community has embraced its new library and the positive feedback has been overwhelming.

“The number of people signing up for library cards has surged, with 532 people registering in the last three months,” he says.

In 2014, there were only 64 new memberships during this period, and 153 in the same period during 2013.

WiFi sessions have increased by 1004 percent, from 1,338 in February to April 2014 to 14,773 since the new library opened.

Auckland Libraries and Information General Manager Allison Dobbie says “We are thrilled that Devonport’s fantastic new library is being enjoyed by so many people.

“The building responds to changes in customer expectations of self service, digital and e-book delivery, and space to meet, relax and think.”

The brand new building on 2 Victoria Road was opened on 2 February with a dawn blessing lead by mana whenua. A civic opening celebration was held on 26 February.

With high ceilings and a mezzanine floor area, the library has 950m2 of floor space, but sits within the same footprint as the former library on Windsor Reserve.

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Job well done there 😀

Central Local Boards Want Equity With Central Sports Fields

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They pay and we don’t, is that fair?

From the Central Local Boards:

Local boards unite in call to remove charges for central sports fields

Sports clubs in the former Auckland City Council area shouldn’t have to pay to use sports fields when clubs elsewhere in Auckland don’t, say the chairs of Orākei, Albert-Eden and Waitematā local boards.

The three board chairs asked Auckland Council’s Parks, Sports and Recreation Committee on Tuesday to remove charges for booking sports fields in central Auckland. The committee agreed to take a case to council’s Finance and Performance Committee.

“We are asking council to correct this inequity as soon as possible as this disparity has been in place for too long,” says Orākei Local Board Chair Desley Simpson, who led the delegation.

“It’s not fair that nearly five years on from the formation of Auckland Council, sports clubs in one area should pay to use sports fields, where clubs in other areas enjoy free use. We look forward to a positive resolution for our clubs and their members.”

“Sport and recreation should be as accessible as possible for all Aucklanders, no matter where they live. One of council’s priorities is promoting individual and community well-being through recreation and sport. The current charging policy disadvantages sports clubs in the areas we represent,” says Waitematā Local Board Chair Shale Chambers.

“Sports clubs generally don’t have large budgets. Clubs can better spend their limited funds on equipment and attracting new members,” says Albert-Eden Local Board Chair Peter Haynes.

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So should they pay while the rest of us don’t? Let us know what you think in the comments below.