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NZTA to Begin Work On the Hill Street, Warkworth Intersection

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Construction to begin this Summer

 

Of all times NZTA were to pick it had to be in the Summer peak season too…

From NZTA

Summer start for Warkworth’s Hill Street improvements

6 Aug 2014 02:36pm | NZ Transport Agency: Auckland and Northland

People in the Rodney area will have their opportunity later this month to find out more about improvements to the State Highway 1/Hill Street intersection in Warkworth before the NZ Transport Agency starts construction this summer. The Transport Agency’s open day will be held on Saturday 16 August from 10am to 2pm in the Old Masonic Hall in Baxter Street, Warkworth.

Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon, says the open day is a chance for the Transport Agency to explain in more detail its interim improvements for the intersection.

“We are committed to delivering these improvements this summer, but accept that these are not the final solution for Hill Street. As part of the longer term plans for Hill Street, we will continue to investigate the traffic impacts of the new PĹŤhoi to Warkworth motorway, the Western Collector and potential projects such as the Matakana Link,” Mr Gliddon says.

The interim improvements at the intersection include:

  • widening the northbound approach on SH1, and increasing the capacity of the right turn lane into Matakana Road by extending it back to the intersection with Shoesmith Street.
  • widening the corresponding southbound approach which will add some capacity for traffic turning left into Matakana Road.
  • the southbound right turn lane from SH1 into Hill Street will be removed. This will improve traffic flow by giving more green light time to other traffic movements. It also provides additional space, easing the impact of construction. (alternative routes to access Hill Street are available via Hudson Road and Falls Road or Hudson and Albert Road)
  • walkers and cyclists will benefit from a new wider shared path on the western side of SH1
  • Improving the connection between Sandspit Road and Elizabeth Street.

Mr Gliddon says construction avoids the busiest holiday weekends of the year such as Labour Weekend and Christmas/New Year to minimise driver disruption. The improvements are expected to be finished before Easter 2015.

“We want to deliver these improvements as soon as possible with a minimum of disruption to drivers. The works will take place sequentially to keep traffic moving and minimise any inconvenience.”

Information about the project is also available online at www.nzta.govt.nz/warkworth

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Source: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/3547/news.html

 

Okay so NZTA will avoid those Summer peaks with the Hill Street intersection interim improvements.

 

Feedback Sought on ‘Use of Public Spaces/Places’

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Council seeking feedback on Draft Bylaw

 

From Auckland Council

Draft bylaws aimed at balancing use of public places

 

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are seeking feedback on draft bylaws aimed at managing trading activities and events in public places.

The new bylaws will replace the 10 different sets of rules inherited from Auckland’s previous councils that related to trading and events in public places, including in parks, beaches and roads.

Activities covered by these bylaws are: markets and stalls, mobile shops, outdoor dining, fundraising (including the soliciting or collection of subscriptions), offering of commercial services, distribution of promotional material or goods, outdoor display of goods, street performers and pavement artists, filming and events.

“These new bylaws will continue to support the vibrancy and enjoyment  that comes with street trading and events in public places, while ensuring that other users of public places are protected,” says chair of the council’s Regulatory and Bylaws Committee, Cr Calum Penrose.

“That includes ensuring footpaths are kept uncluttered so there is plenty of space for pedestrians and those with limited mobility to safely navigate.”

Cr Penrose acknowledges that changing to region-wide bylaws will mean the level of change for traders will vary in different parts of Auckland but that it is important there is fairness and consistency.

In general the draft bylaws propose that:

  • some forms of trading will require approval from the council  before it can occur, including outdoor dining areas, run markets and stalls, operate a mobile shop and fundraise in a public place
  • permission will continue to be required to hold an event or film in public places
  • activities with low impact will not require permission but traders will have to meet conditions to ensure the area is not overcrowded and cluttered
  • identify areas where particular activities cannot occur in order to ensure public safety, prevent nuisance, minimise obstructions or the damage or misuse of public places
  • any trading activity that takes place in a park or reserve obtains all necessary approvals.

 

Submissions on the proposed bylaw close on Thursday 4 September 2014.

For more information, including both proposed bylaws and to make a submission go to shapeauckland.co.nz .

Documents also available at council libraries and customer service centres.

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Summary Document provided by Auckland Council

 

Local Board Plan Submissions Complete

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Have you got yours in yet?

 

Papakura Town Centre from north end Source: http://amerinz.blogspot.co.nz/2009/10/auckland-views-papakura.html
Papakura Town Centre from north end
Source: http://amerinz.blogspot.co.nz/2009/10/auckland-views-papakura.html

 

Tomorrow is the last day you can have your say on the 21 Local Board draft plans. For more information head here: http://www.shapeauckland.co.nz/localboardplans/

I have finished my submissions for both Papakura, Otara-Papatoetoe Local Boards. The Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Plan submission used just the online submission form while the Papakura submission was more extensive. The reason for the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Plan submission being short in comparison to the Papakura one stems from that I am writing a more substantial submission for the Otara-Papatoetoe Area Plan.

 

My Papakura Local Board draft Plan submission

 

Needless to say Papakura does need some serious loving over the next three years. Something while subject to Long Term Plan funding I am confident the Local Board can do

 

5:16pm and 5:46pm Britomart – Onehunga Services running – as Electric Trains

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Good news. Lets hope this holds up

 

I received my usual updates on Twitter about whether the electric trains are running or not after facing Day 11 of being grounded since power infrastructure faults became significant two Sunday’s ago

And this is what greets me

The 5:16pm main peak service from Britomart to Onehunga coming out of the Newmarket tunnel heading towards Britomart

 

And just a few moments ago as I write this

 

The second main peak service the 5:46pm also got away on time as well.

 

So our electrics are back after 10.5 days being grounded. The catch is will they hold out or will that fault return? We wait and see.

 

New By-Laws Coming into Effect

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Aucklanders helped shape new By-Laws

 

From Auckland Council

Aucklanders help shape new bylaws

 

Community feedback has played a major part in the final content of two new regional bylaws adopted by Auckland Council’s Governing Body today.

In adopting the final Navigation Safety and Cemeteries and Crematoria bylaws, Regulatory and Bylaws Committee Chairman Calum Penrose says both are excellent examples of how the consultation and hearing process can have a positive outcome for the community and council.

“With both bylaws we came up with a series of proposals aimed at managing a particular issue – such as public concerns over the number of drownings involving people not wearing lifejackets – and how to protect public health and safety in both situations.

“By the community getting involved in these decisions through the submission process, we could see that in some cases we didn’t quite get it right.  So we listened, we considered and we made changes that the council and the public can work with – it’s been a great outcome.

“I think with navigation safety in particular it has transferred the responsibility for keeping people safe back to the skipper,” he says.

Also at today’s meeting, councillors agreed the proposed Animal Management and Alcohol Control bylaws and that an amendment to council’s Health and Hygiene Bylaw are ready to be released for public consultation.

Auckland Council inherited 158 bylaws from Auckland’s former legacy councils and, under the Local Government Act, is required to review all of these by October 2015.  The council has now implemented 12 of 30 region-wide bylaws, all of which introduce a fairer and more consistent experience for our customers, no matter where in Auckland they live or own a business.

Reports included on all these bylaws are in the Governing Body agenda, available on the council’s website. 

 

Information on the new and proposed bylaws below:

 

Navigation Safety Bylaw

 

Will replace the current Auckland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2008 and includes new regulations as follows:

  • Everyone on a vessel of six metres in length or less will have to wear a lifejacket at all times unless the skipper says it can be removed.   This is a change of the original proposal which did not include skippers’ discretion
  • That on board every boat there must be some form of communication to enable persons on board to contact the shore if they get in to difficulty.   Changes from proposal requiring carrying of a communication device such as a phone or radio.
  • That people in charge of a vessel should not be intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

The new bylaw will come in to effect at Labour Weekend and council is developing an awareness and education programme to ensure people are aware of the new regulations and their responsibilities.   It will also write to the Minister of Transport to review the Maritime Transport Act to allow the council to issue infringements for breaches of the new regulations.

 

Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw and Code of Practice

 

This bylaw and code of practice will replace eight bylaws inherited from former councils and replace with a single approach to managing facilities across the region.  It will come in to effect from 1 November 2014.

Changes made as a result of consultation including added a series of explanatory notes to the code to provide clarity.

Other changes include

  • Giving cemetery managers discretion on how many people can be in the immediate area during a cremation
  • Continuing to support family and friends’ desire to be able to fill their loved ones’ grave, but ask that they give cemetery staff notice so that provisions can be made, including having equipment available
  • That floral tributes and adornments on graves will be moved to the concrete berm to allow grave maintenance to be carried out

Changes were also made to clarify that approval is not required for the scattering of ashes in public places but that information will be provided about this activity in sensitive areas such as playgrounds and sportsfields.

 

Proposed bylaws being consulted on from later this month: 

Animal Management

 

Will replace 18 bylaws relating to the management of animals with a single region-wide approach to minimise nuisance and risks to public health and safety.

Includes proposals relating to the keeping of stock (including chickens) and bees and  in urban areas and on public places and horse riding in public places.

 

Alcohol Control Bylaw

 

Will establish a process for the review of the region’s alcohol control areas (liquor bans).  Also proposes that local boards are given delegation to make review the those bans located in their areas.

New legislation requires that all alcohol control areas must be based on evidence of crime and alcohol related harm before a control can be put in place.

 

Amendment to the Auckland Council Health and Hygiene Bylaw

 

We propose amending the bylaw to exempt pharmacies from needing a licence to carry out ear piercings as they are already licenced under the Medicines Act 1981 and undergo regular audits by the Ministry of Health.

The bylaw requires health premises piercing the skin (including commercial ear piercing) to get a licence from council.

 

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Have You Submitted on your Local Board’s Plan Yet?

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August 6 is when submission close

 

From Auckland Council

Still time to help shape your Local Board Plan

 

Aucklanders are reminded that they have until 5pm on Wednesday 6 August to make a submission on their draft Local Board Plan. 

Each board, from Great Barrier, to Franklin in the south and Rodney in the north, has produced a draft Local Board Plan which provides a framework that will guide its decision-making, actions and priorities over the next three years.

Common themes from the draft plans include:

  • protecting, enhancing and restoring the natural environment, with a particular emphasis on improving waterways and harbours
  • a well-connected transport system offering real choice, plus the development of cycleways and walkways for recreation and to get around
  • providing community facilities and  parks, open spaces and sports facilities to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and places for play and relaxation
  • fostering strong local economies which offer a range of local employment opportunities.

 

Board members were out and about in their communities in February and March talking about the ideas that helped shape the draft plans and during July have been seeking formal submissions at consultation meetings around the region.

Aucklanders can still make a submission on their draft Local Board Plan either by filling out the freepost form that was sent with a summary document to every household during July or by going online at shapeauckland.co.nz.

People can read the draft plan in full at the shapeauckland website or by going to selected libraries and Auckland Council service centres.

Once the submission period ends on 6 August, hearings to consider all feedback will be held between August and September, with the Local Board Plans due to be adopted in October.

For more information or additional submission forms, people should call 09 301 0101.

Public feedback will help each board decide what its priorities are. These will then be considered through the process now underway for the next draft Long-term Plan (LTP) for 2015-2025.

 

About local boards

Local boards have a significant and wide-ranging role that spans most local government services and activities. Local boards make decisions on local matters, provide local leadership and support strong local communities. Local boards provide important local input into region-wide strategies and plans including those of the council-controlled organisations (CCOs). Details of each local board can be found at the ‘About Council’ page at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Each local boards’ budget for each year is subject to agreement with the governing body as part of the discussion on the annual local board agreement.

Local boards are responsible for:

  • making decisions about non-regulatory local matters, including negotiating the standards of services delivered locally
  • identifying and communicating the views of local people on regional strategies, policies, plans and bylaws to the governing body
  • developing local board plans every three years and negotiating local board agreements with the governing body
  • providing local leadership and developing relationships with the governing body, the community, community organisations and special interest groups in the local area
  • providing input to CCO plans and initiatives
  • identifying and developing bylaws for the local board area and proposing them to the governing body
  • monitoring and reporting on the implementation of local board agreements
  • any additional responsibilities delegated by the governing body, such as decisions within regional bylaws.

 

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At the moment I am finishing up both the Papakura Local Board, and the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board draft plan submissions. After that it will be onto the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Area Plan