Category: Politics

The Politics behind the issue or of the day

City Rail Link Start Date Set to 2018

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Governing Body Agrees Finally

 

Just In:

After debating – well relitigating four years of previous debate the Governing Body in an extraordinary session of Council has agreed by a vote of 14-6 (one absent) for the main City Rail Link project to start 2018. That is Option Two of the recommendations per the agenda (below).

As for the Notice of Motions I called for well they didn’t happen (was to be expected but tried) so will try again in the Long Term Plan submission rounds early next year.

 

The debate itself which dragged from 1:30 to 4pm and should have realistically taken 45 minutes was absolute torture and shows the lack of capacity some of our elected representatives have in that Governing Body. The sole purpose of that debate today was to vote for Option Two and work out funding arrangements to satisfy the Auditor General’s concerns she has raised over the situation. NOT to push a personal barrow from the last four years and especially since the Government has agreed to the City Rail Link in the first place.

 

So yep again the Governing Body did screw up a debate and continue on its history path of being ineffectual as a collective. Which is a damned shame as we do have some fine and smart individual Councillors in there.

Bring on 2016!

 

Reference Post and link to agenda

Amendment to CRL Start Date in the Long Term Plan

 

Auckland Will NOT Get A Referendum on Transport Funding – Update 3

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Governing Body Decides

 

In breaking news the Governing Body of Auckland Council has resolved to not to give Auckland a referendum next year on our transport funding options. The option that would have most likely been in play was whether Auckland wants a $2 motorway toll to help fund the $12 billion transport funding gap that is affecting projects like the Otahuhu and Manukau Transport Interchanges.

The vote failed 9-11

 

UPDATE

The Governing Body has resolved the following:

Recommendations
That the Governing Body:
a) agree to not undertake a referendum to seek feedback from Auckland electors on
transport investment and funding options.
b) direct the Chief Executive to commission an independent statistically reliable survey
to help inform choices about transport funding.

Vote passed 12-9

 

UPDATE 2

From Facebook

Cameron Brewer
Just now ·

Those of us pushing for the Mayor to deliver on this promised public (non-binding) referendum on alternative transport (eg tolls) funding just failed 9/11. However a small win for me as my amendments to his winning (12/9) proposal to do the consultation through the LTP instead, were successfully added which will hopefully help the public and the subsequent analysis.

C) that matters pertaining to alternative transport funding options are separated from the rest of the consultation document in a visually distinct way to highlight their significance to the people of Auckland

D) that feedback from submissions and responses to the LTP consultation document on alternative transport funding are independently reviewed and analysed by a suitably qualified and independent party who will report back their findings, and those from the statistically accurate survey, directly to the Governing Body.

 

 

UPDATE:

The Governing Body has resolved to send out to consultation the establishment of the new Auckland Development CCO. The Recommendations were:

Recommendation/s
That the Governing Body:
a) agree to progress evaluation of the establishment of an urban development agency
in order to further the council’s urban development objectives.
b) agree that the option to establish an urban development agency by combining
Waterfront Auckland and Auckland Council Properties Ltd is the preferred option.
c) note that the proposal for a new council controlled agency will be provided for in the
Long Term Plan and subject to public consultation.
d) agree to transfer responsibility for managing the council’s diversified financial assets
portfolio from Auckland Council Investments Limited to Auckland Council treasury
team, from 1 July 2015, and to reduce the number of Auckland Council

 

 

More as it happens