Council Agrees to Structure Plan Study for new Industrial Land It was rather appropriate that while the New Zealand Herald raises the issue of ‘costs of living in the … Continue reading New (potential) Industrial Land at Puhinui to go through the “processes”
People finally come to their senses? QV are reporting that South and West Auckland are now along for the ride in the Auckland housing boom. Traditionally the Isthmus area … Continue reading West and South now caught in Housing Boom
The agenda and attachments for the February Auckland Development Committee is now up for your reading pleasure. Taking a glance through it I see the Committee this month is dealing with the nitty-gritty business of Plan Changes across the City – including setting a scoping task for industrial land to be zoned west of State Highway 20 at Wiri (currently market gardens).
You can read the agenda (207 pages + attachments) below with the further attachments here: http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2014/02/AUC_20140213_ATT_4737_EXCLUDED_WEB.HTM
At the same time the Committee will be ratifying the November Minutes which means the Manukau site visit becomes official “policy” of the Council. Meaning now we try to get a date set soon for the visit.
Those who have read my Civics series would know that the Auckland Development Committee is where I am usually found. Looking at the agenda the material does look incredibly boring I’ll give you that. But this kind of work with Plan Changes and scoping exercises is often the bread and butter stuff this Committee will be dealing with from time to time. Do they changes affect you? Yes they do as it could allow the development of an industrial site (jobs), residential centre, or even parks and conservation spaces.
Live commentary and Tweeting will be running from the Committee. And will Councillors answer their emails please……
Time to Jump the Hoops I saw this morning as the leading headline that the Mayor is “offering” $250 million to “kick-start” the construction of the City Rail Link … Continue reading $250m for CRL Still Has Hurdles
The Road Corridors down here are SO WIDE After the initial play around with the Street Mix (Playing Around with Street Mix) earlier today I decided to “draw-up” some more … Continue reading More Manukau Street Mix Attempts
Street Mix in Manukau City Centre Thanks to Hamish over in Transport Blog (in regards to the Lincoln Road upgrade (or downgrade depending on your point of view)) I … Continue reading Playing Around with Street Mix
Lessons from Don Draper (for Planners) – From Planetizen I caught this real gem from Planetizen on Planners needing to think like Don Draper from the Mad Men series. … Continue reading How Don Draper Could Help Our Planners
Time to Restore the People to Auckland But also maintain efficiency Long story short we know Auckland and its current urban design and transport planning policies are straight out … Continue reading What Speed Should Our Roads Be?
Can this new Forum get Auckland’s Economy Going? Forgive me if I say “No” Yesterday Morning Report (Radio NZ) released an audio clip of the announcement of the creation … Continue reading Growing Auckland
I caught on Twitter yesterday this from Campbell Live:
So cue watching Campbell live for the cycling clip and article which you see here below
Future plans for Auckland cycleways announced
By Lachlan Forsyth Thursday 30 Jan 2014 7:13p.m.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Campbell Live reporter Lachlan Forsyth took on Auckland’s traffic this afternoon to discuss the future plans for Auckland’s cycleways.
“We’re doing around 1000km of cycle pedestrian way, we want to do that over 30 years,” says Mr Brown.
Figures from Lobby group Gen Zero suggest Auckland’s per capita investment in cycling is woeful – $5.70 compared to Dunedin’s $14.90 and Wellington’s $21. At $37, Christchurch spends more than seven times as much.
“We have not been spending enough and we will be looking to spend more, reflecting a sentiment amongst Aucklanders that we really need to have the options up,” says Mr Brown.
The Mayor has stated that he wants a higher prioritisation of cycling projects against other transport initiatives, the construction of Skypath, and a $900 million 1000 km cycle network completed over the next 30 years.
Auckland Transport already has an annual budget of $1.1 billion, overseeing more than 7000km of road.The Skypath is a much needed link for pedestrians and cyclists over the Harbour Bridge, but Mr Brown says a final decision will be made in the next few months.
“It really depends on how we go with our discussions with the Northcote community and St Mary’s Bay community.”
One problem that cyclists often come across is traffic lights not registering them. This means the lights stay red unless a car comes along.
…
Long story short it is material already covered before and unless the 2015 Long Term Plan changes the funding allocation (discussion on the LTP is later this year) we will be maintaining the status quo in building cycling infrastructure. That said I have noticed the South Auckland Local Boards being proactive with adding more cycling infrastructure ranging from the green paint, to shared paths, to even the odd dedicated cycle path, to improving intersection crossings. While it is mainly remedial works to improve existing areas none the less the respective Local Boards seem to be doing more than other areas in Auckland.
Most recent piece of remedial works was here in Manukau (I’ll get pictures when next down there)
And some examples of cycling infrastructure that is already in place and being added to over time
What does limit the Local Boards doing more is the piddly budgets they get from the main Council to carry out these kind of beneficial tasks. Sadly this 2014/2015 Annual Plan and possibly the 2015 Long Term Plan will see Local Boards get no more money to the point they could be facing cuts to their budgets. Rather unacceptable in my eyes as the Local Boards are more responsive than the Governing Body in tending to local beneficial projects…
Finally I noted on Campbell Live this:
To which I say it is time for the redux here: Cycling Accident Leaves Larger Questions To Be Answered
Some solutions that are short, medium and long term were all provided as examples.
