Right now Labour are doing absolutely nothing to attract my vote and I deem myself a well informed voter. Thus currently all things measured (good against the bad) I am likely to swing behind National this round.
However, what annoys me to great extent is the Opposition. We need an Opposition as our democratic system requires it. But when we have what I perceive as a piss weak opposition then I am concerns as it is not good for our democratic institutions
David Cunliffe has a number of political challenges. He inherited entrenched Labour problems that included a lack of obvious direction and authenticity. He seems to have embraced these flaws.
Cunliffe has evolved as leader but not for the better. He began with a favourable poll surge but has been waning and struggling since then. He keeps changing persona and it’s difficult to see the real Cunliffe. We got a glimpse in “At Home With The leader” on Campbell Live last week but he soon reverted to an overtrained poli-parrot persona.
His current approach is to recite talking points. These often include dubious repeated claims like ‘speculators don’t pay tax’ and corny lines like
In his budget speech Cunliffe accused the Government of “smoke and mirrors”. He should look in his own mirror.
This is obviously a “fudge-it Budget”.
Six Budgets and still no vision. As Michael Cullen would say, the…
Final Step(s) before Submissions Round Starts (Again) While retrieving the Minutes for last Thursday’s Auckland Development Committee meeting (so I could get the Resolutions for an upcoming commentary piece) … Continue reading Unitary Plan Committee Agenda is Out
From Concept to Business Case Stage for the Manukau Facility
The Te Papa North – Manukau facility (to be located next to the MIT Campus on the south-western side of the Manukau City Centre) is advancing from the concept stages to now developing a business case for the facility.
From Voxy:
Proposed National Centre in Manukau moves forward
Friday, 16 May, 2014 – 13:57
An innovative partnership approach between Te Papa and Auckland cultural agencies is redefining the proposal for a Manukau facility. The concept development is progressing to a second stage business case.
A development group with deep community roots has been tasked to define the project concept for the proposed National Centre for Collections, Education and Exhibitions.
The business case will incorporate Maori and Pacific dimensions, culture, science and heritage education and the potential to deliver a new vision in Manukau – the heart of New Zealand’s most culturally diverse and fastest growing region.
Evan Williams, Te Papa’s Chair says, “The National Centre presents an opportunity to present the very best of our Nation’s treasures and share our diverse arts, sciences, heritage and cultural collections through this collaborative partnership project. We are excited to work with our project partners and communities to further explore how we can create a national hub for a thriving programme of lifelong learning, exhibitions, events, community outreach, research and scholarship to reach local, regional and national communities.”
The Development Group includes community leaders, museum specialists, art practitioners, educators, cultural advocates, representatives from creative industries, alongside local iwi and cultural groups. This group will work with project partners Te Papa, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Council and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to complete the project concept and case study.
“Auckland Museum looks forward to participating in continued discussions with colleague institutions to explore the possibilities for shared programmes and facilities. It makes sense to work together as there is common interest in delivering engaging experiences for audiences and communities across the Auckland region, and as an extension of the Museum’s existing collection-based outreach programmes,” says Roy Clare, Director of Auckland Museum.
The business case will be developed in the coming months. It will define fresh ways to work across museums and places of learning, in Manukau, Auckland Tamaki Makaurau and on a national scale.
Excellent that the facility is progressing to the business case stage. All willing and everything lined up we should see the facility up and ready by 2017-2018.
Upgraded pretty much immediately if NZTA follow through I listened to pieces of the New Zealand Budget today which was a more tame affair than the Australian … Continue reading Takanini Interchange to be upgraded
This morning I was at the Auckland Development Committee listening in on the debate around what to do with Queen Elizabeth Square in downtown Auckland. The debate was pretty good although some not necessary outbursts did mar the overall quality of the debate. I take my hat off to Councillor Cameron Brewer who articulated the main points around the Square debate very well today – as did Councillor Fletcher. Hopefully Councillor Brewer will get one of his fabled releases out as it will be a good one to see (for once).
Full commentary will be up tomorrow but in the meantime from Auckland Council:
First steps taken to redevelop downtown Auckland
Auckland Council has agreed in principle to negotiate the sale of Queen Elizabeth Square to Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd in return for proceeds being used to provide quality downtown public spaces.
The square and the Downtown Shopping Centre sit above the route of the twin rail tunnels that will form part of the city rail link.
Precinct Properties proposes major redevelopment of its shopping centre and surrounding properties which it owns.
Proceeds from the commercial sale of the 2000m2 public square could be used to develop an alternative public area, such as Admiralty Steps on the Quay street waterfront.
A plan by Precinct Properties for the comprehensive redevelopment of its property holdings in the area has also opened an opportunity to reintroduce aspects of historic Little Queen Street which was lost in earlier redevelopments.
Council staff believe Precinct Properties’ plans will also link with council proposals for the transformation of Quay Street waterfront.
“We are in the very early stages of proposals for this area,” said Deputy Mayor and Auckland Development Committee chair Councillor Penny Hulse. “With the city rail link tunnels running below Precinct Properties buildings, it makes sense to align the tunnel construction with the company’s development programme.
“Working with the company will produce the best outcome for all parties, including new public amenities at no cost to ratepayers.”
—ends—
Note that Queen Elizabeth Square has NOT been sold. However, the Council through today have made their intent known that they do wish to sell the Square back to the private sector.
A decision at the Auckland Development Committee in August will decide whether to actually sell the Square or not.
Addendum Agenda now included The Auckland Council Auckland Development Committee agenda is up although we are still waiting on the Addendum Agenda that covers the Downtown Shopping Centre Block Redevelopment … Continue reading Auckland Development Committee Agenda is up [updated]
I do recommend watching the video which is around 33 minutes long.
While New Zealand is too small for Thorium nuclear power (although you can make the reactor small enough to fit in a sea container thus portable) and Australia would be the smallest industrial country able to handle a full-scale operation (two reactors each producing 1 Gigawatt (Huntly Coal/Gas fire station produces 1.385 GW when all four boilers and the E3 plant are going full power)) countries like: Germany, USA, UK, Russia, China, and India are best suited for Thorium power.
I do believe Thorium nuclear is part of the solution for a suite of options for both the next stage of power generation away from fossil fuels and conventional uranium nuclear reactor, and trying not to dump all this crap into the atmosphere.
One of the main advantages of Thorium is that the waste can not be used to produce nuclear and thermonuclear (the H-Bomb) weapons. So that sorts the proliferation issue. Also it is believed Thorium reactors can not meltdown like their uranium/plutonium counterparts owing to the physics around the reaction of Thorium. MSR’s are liquid fuel reactors (rather than solid fuel in conventional reactors) that has the fuel intermixed with the coolant. In the case of a “situation” you cut off the fuel/coolant supply to the reactor while dumping the rest of the material already inside the reactor into dump tanks and that is it. No reaction, very little if any latent heat (that even shut down conventional reactors still need to deal with produced from what becomes inert Thorium). As it says in the video to keep a Thorium reactor going you need to constantly add fuel to keep it going (like a fire) while with Uranium you constantly need to keep on top of to stop it racing away even when it is in shut down state inside a nuclear reactor.
So does Thorium have a future in power generation?
From the Americans the answer is at the moment no (check the video) owing to the defence-industrial complex around conventional reactors (see bit about the how the US Navy wanting a reactor design for their subs back in the 50’s) and being able to produce fuel for their nuclear weapon program.
From other countries like China, India and the UK the answer is yes. China is working on MSR thorium type reactors (both solid and the more preferred liquid types) with 2017 a target date for getting an experimental MSR reactor ready for tests before they expand into commercial operation. India which also has some of the largest Thorium deposits in the world is looking at Thorium nuclear generation as the country continues to industrialise and suffers from extensive power blackouts currently.
Lets see where we go with this. Hopefully a bright clean future.
Time for public submissions From Auckland Council: Draft alcohol policy gets green light for consultation Aucklanders are to have their say on proposals regarding the sale and supply … Continue reading Council Releases Draft Alcohol Policy
So I sent of a list of questions yesterday to Desley Simpson seeking her comment around Selwyn Station. These were Desley’s comments to which I thank for her responses:
Why do you think Selwyn Station should be built
The original request came from Selwyn College during public consultation over the first Orakei Local Board Plan. In looking at the request it became obvious that in addition to providing easy access to Selwyn College such a station, with appropriate service roads and pathways, would provide a much-needed North/South link plus access to the rail public transport network for the large population in the Gowing Drive area and a number of eastern suburbs.
Currently there is a large percentage of our ward that don’t have access to rail
Who would be ‘served’ by Selwyn Station?
Suburbs south of Kepa Road and north of St Johns Road would have walking/cycling access. Other suburbs such as St Heliers, Glendowie, Kohimaramara, Mission Bay and St Johns would have access to the rail system via feeder bus services that the Orakei Local Board have been advocating for since the first Orakei Local Board Plan.
What facilities should Selwyn Station have?
Park and Ride –New Park & Ride hasn’t been part of the Orakei Local Board advocacy as yet but could possibly apply although the territory is steep and probably not particularly suitable for large-scale park n ride without a large investment in car parks.
Kiss and Ride – definitely kiss and ride since the Orakei Local Board plan is for an access road to go down the Poerewa Valley from the intersection of St Heliers Bay Rd and St Johns Rd and then bend around to go back up to Kepa Road beside Selwyn College.
Cycle lockers like Papakura and Papatoetoe Stations – the OLB are already advocating for cycle lockers/racks at Orakei and Meadowbank so lockable cycling facilities at the Poerwa Station can be assumed.
A bus bay like Homai, Papakura and Manurewa Stations – I haven’t viewed all the examples given but, as noted above having feeder buses servicing the local population is very much part of the Orakei Local Board advocacy so bus bays will be included.
When would you like Selwyn Station to be open and operating by (apart from “yesterday”)
The Orakei Local Board advocacy has been to get such a project included in the funding allocated to Auckland Transport in the current LTP. At this stage it appears that funds have been allocated to carry out a full evaluation including the development of a Tamaki Drive to Glen Innes walkway/cycleway, so getting through that process is the next stage and we would like to think that this will be completed in the 2014/2015 financial year. Indications are that construction of parts of the walkway/cycleway could be started in the 2014/2015 year.
Has Auckland Transport given any indication to you when Selwyn Station would be operating by?
It’s all a matter of funds being allocated but the Orakei Local Board would like to see construction starting in the current term. Hopefully this is not too optimistic.
If and when Selwyn Station is operating would you support Meadowbank Station being closed down and if so (or not) why?
We believe that the Meadowbank Station should stay open but maybe not serviced by “express” trains. Express trains haven’t been discussed with AT but are a feature of train services overseas and our train system has to service the combined needs of “underground” and “suburban” train services so cutting out a station that services a growing community doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Has AT given any indication of numbers that would use the Selwyn Station both in the peak and off-peak
We don’t have numbers and this will be part of the evaluation process currently being undertaken.
Any comments to Transport Blog’s Tweet in regards to Selwyn Station: Horrendously expensive for low patronage
We would disagree about low patronage comment. If you consider the number of people residing in the Gowing Drive area with very poor public transport options and then add in the requirements coming out of Selwyn College and activities at the ASB Centre ( its a sporting and community facility) plus future appropriate new housing developments you don’t have to be too optimistic to see several thousand passengers a day. Rail is expensive anyway but is the backbone of Auckland’s future public transport system and inner city suburbs are surely as entitled to be connected to the rail system as outlying suburbs are .
The Tweet from Transport Blog that gave rise to my last question was this one:
@BenRoss_AKL local board? Horrendously expensive for what I guess would be very low patronage
Again I thank you Desley for taking the time to reply to my questions around Selwyn Station, very much appreciated.
At this point in time I continue to support the Orakei Local Board and their push for Selwyn Station. Of course like the Manukau South Rail Link, Selwyn Station will have to jump through the hoops and have a business case on it to evaluate its viability.
However, for now we will have to see if Selwyn will land as a project to do in the 2015-2025 Long Term project and if so when exactly. The 2015-2025 Long Term Plan starts its drafting and consultation processes later this year.
Talking Southern Auckland 
