Category: Hot Discussion

An issue causing hot discussion either here in the blog or in the wider community

GAME ON

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Palino Verse Brown

 

I just caught this across Facebook just now and is worth a share

Must have been a birthday present for John because we can confirm a comprehensive poll was recently completed which showed John Palino very favourably in a two horse race vs. Len Brown! #johnpalinoformayor
 

Now I have not seen the numbers yet personally (and may never will) but, I did comment this in return: “So where the MSM and Right Wing failed the rest of the city and this particular individual already knew. GAME ON!”

I had already warned both the Main Stream Media and Right Wing about their lack of “interest” and dismissive approach against those who are credible in standing again Len. It seems the city thinks differently and shows how offside our MSM and Right Wing are (that is Right Wing not the Centre Right Wing (two very different groups)). Offside owing to (and as I have mentioned before) to their last gasp clutching of the old system that dominated the old Auckland City Council arena for so many decades – yet has little relevance out in the South, West and even North. 

 

So it is game on folks for Mayor. You have two credible choices to make now in which direction you wish YOUR city – YOUR home to go. John Palino or Len Brown

 

 

Consultation Begins on Southern Auckland P/T Network

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Get Your Feedback In

 

Yesterday Auckland Transport kicked off the consultation round on the Southern Auckland public transport network. We have until early August to “review” what is proposed and submit our feedback for AT’s consideration.

You can check the website dedicated to this over here: “New Public Transport Network”

Emphasis is placed on the following steps before you fill in that submission form:

New Network Southern Consultation

Consultation is open on the New Network for South Auckland from 19 June to 4pm, Friday 2 August 2013.

To find out about the proposed changes and have your say we suggest you follow these three steps:

Step 1: Watch the video if you haven’t already, to understand how the New Network will transform Auckland’s public transport system.

Step 2: See the maps, and read the overview of the New Network for South Auckland in more detail, to learn about how the New Network will affect you.

Step 3: Have your say by completing the online feedback form, or come along to an open day.

If you are visually impaired or need assistance to complete the feedback form due to a disability, call our contact centre on 09 366 6400 and a call centre staff can complete the form on your behalf.

Download a consultation brochure in a language of your choice.

Read a consultation brochure in an accessible format.

Follow us on Twitter.

Register to receive email updates about the New Network.

…

Source – Auckland Transport

I notice AT have gone quite the length to communicate across as many mediums and in many languages as possible. I suppose that is owing to the diversity of those who live in South. So credit to Auckland Transport for their actual genuine attempt in reaching out across the spectrum in their communication – well done (and finally).

 

I have gone through the maps already and will be forming up my feedback soon. I notice the off-peak frequencies for the connector and especially the Local Services are a bit of a disappointment. A disappointment if the frequencies drop right back to hourly which does no one any good and continues to force car use unnecessarily. So AT has a bit of work to do in that department before the entire thing is finalised…

 

So what are your thoughts on the proposed network for the South? Comments welcome below.

 

From Yesterday’s Workshop

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Sorry Folks Have Not Got Much Here

 

Yesterday in my “The Next Steps for the Unitary Plan – Those Workshops” post I made mention that the Auckland Plan Committee and Local Board Chairs held their first workshop. The workshop was on “the principles of development” around our centres – in particular height (which is not being codified as a theme against from our feedback).

In the same post I also made mention that at the end of each workshop a public statement will be released for our consumption. Despite a small glitch from the Council I have that statement which reads the following:

Heights discussed at first Unitary Plan workshop
Today elected members of Auckland Council attended the first post-engagement workshop following feedback on the draft Unitary Plan.
 
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said the workshop brought together Local Board Chairs and the Auckland Plan Committee members to talk through the principles governing heights in centres and give interim direction on how changes will be made to the draft plan.
 
“The political direction that came out of today’s workshop is that, while we all agree we need a range of heights across our centres, we would like to see greater refinement to allow for variety within a centre where it is appropriate.”
 
The direction-setting workshops, which will be held over June and July, reflect the main topics in the 22,700 pieces of feedback Aucklanders gave over 11 weeks of engagement.
 
“We have started with centre heights as our first topic, as they set the framework for the level of development in other parts of Auckland. 
 
“Proposed height limits for Auckland’s metropolitan, town and local centres have been widely debated, with clear argument coming through from each side of the debate. Our challenge for heights is to get the balance right and I believe we can do that,” said the Deputy Mayor.
 
Work will now start to refine the principles relating to height in centres as directed. These will then be presented for discussion at the next Auckland Plan Committee.
 
For further details on the feedback and the next steps in the Unitary Plan process, please see the Shape Auckland site.

 

Sorry folks that is all we have right now. Unless a Councillor or Local Board Chair would like to make a further statement this is all we (the city) have to go with for now. And I am going to assume it will be like this until the July 2 Auckland Plan Committee where all the workings of the workshops reach the committee and are discussed in the “open.”

In saying that I will go and ask about the situation that arose to this comment yesterday:

  • Oddly, height (which doesn’t need speech marks because you know what it means) is not a theme submissions are being coded against….

Follow up to that bullet point and my Part Three post will come up later today.

 

 

Unitary Plan Feedback

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Series Covering the pre notification round

 

I am making my way back from the Media Briefing on where we are with the Unitary Plan by the two Penny’s. Once back at base I will start writing up will become a series on the Unitary Plan prior to formal notification.

In brief though this is what was mentioned:

  • 22,700 pieces of Feedback
    • 6,500 of that was pro-forma by 35 different groups (so around a third of all pieces of feedback)
  • Council is still codifying the issues and responses. We won’t specifically know “topics” until the end of next week
  • Hot Topic Issues were though: height (which starts being looked at tomorrow) and zones (they are up for changes – both residential, business and the centres)
  • Three “reference”groups to be established: Universal Design, Heritage, and Significant Ecological Areas
  • Extensive work with Local Boards
  • Formal Notification date will be set most likely in August
  • Council admits its communication arm needs quite a bit of work (especially if blogs were taking up the slack quite a bit)

So as I said, I will get the first full post up hopefully by 6:30 tonight. After that a series will start on this pre-notification period in keeping YOU – the City up to date. It also means I have to revisit my company business model a bit – especially if a “media” arm is spun off here.

Looking at Mayoral Candidates

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First Look at John Palino

 

As we approach October 12 – the Local Government Elections where we vote for Mayor, Councillors, Local Board members and the District Health Boards; Talking Auckland will be keeping an eye on the run up to the day and providing commentary of the hot button issues.

Today we take our first look at mayoral candidate competing again the incumbent Len Brown; John Palino.

First his new networking card that has come off the printers and is now doing the rounds:

You can see on the orange (not red folks) back some basic policy narratives coming into play. Now I did quip when someone asked about hard policy that you can not fit a 7,000 page Unitary Plan style manifesto onto a business card. But, you can start getting people to talk and the card has already done that – so success there.

Let’s take a look at that talking point:

  • Nick Kearney Completely the wrong colour!! That’s bloody Labour’s colour!! What is he thinking. And this “Sorting out traffic congestion” is just pointless. People have promised that for 30years and still look where we are.
    • Ben Ross Now now Nick – go read my blog posts on why Williamson got trumped. Old Labour vs National, C&R vs City Vision is disappearing if not gone from Super City elections. Playing the blue on one side and red on the other would illustrate bi-partisan and easy traversing between the divide – something I do and did with the UP with extreme ease  

      Plus hey – the “pointless” point worked if it has you talking. Effective Political Marketing (like advertising) 101

 

As we move into the formal campaign period starting July 12 followed by the six week “final” campaign “proper” the heavy policy stuff will come out for people to run over with their fine tooth combs. But right now it is the introductions, the how are you, creating talking points and then talking to the people – the voters. The people or as I like to say our 1.5 million “experts” all have something to say and that something to say on how the feel about their city, their home. And from that you get an insight into what they want to see for a Better Auckland – A Better Home.

 

I have asked John for a short sharp “introduction” piece of himself and what he wants to bring if he is elected as Mayor of Auckland. Mayor Len Brown will also be “asked” as for an introduction piece as well. In a way it will also be telling if I get both introductions as it will also tell who does care for the little people, the individuals and citizens of Auckland.

As we also approach October 12 I will shine the light onto those seeking the Ward Council vote. As it is our Councillors that have the power either supporting or opposing the Mayor’s policy direction.

 

In the meantime Talking Auckland wants to know what you would like to see for a Better Auckland. Whether it be general or specific share your thoughts in the comment box below. If you are not quite sure on a talking point then check John’s talking points above and take it from there. We have 1.5 million people living in Auckland thus 1.5 million experts.

Just remember for comments to be tactful and respectful. Sometimes agreeing to disagree is the best choice and shows a greater level of maturity between the two participants.

 

Unitary Plan and that Twitter Spam

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Not bad for an individual

And for Auckland – Our Auckland

 

While my main internet is down and I have let rip back to Telecom for taking 6 days to restore my internet (even though it is Chorus which probably deserves something placed under their backside) I have hooked up my 2-Degree Mobile to the main PC. Okay the connection is slow but it is working (and thanks to 2-Degrees for carry-over data. All that spare data will be going to use) 😀

 

This major pain for me in not having my main internet does show the reliance on the Digital Age. But what the Digital Age does show is that some of us will use it to its full and utter potential.

This morning I got mentioned in the Council/Local Body Chairs’ workshop on the Feedback for the Unitary Plan (that closed May 31) that I was the top Tweeter on the #shapeauckland (shapeauckland.co.nz) feed amongst other things. Apparently I dropped 250+ Tweets over the 11-week feedback period. 

So what was the numbers of that feedback for the UP:

  • 22,700 pieces of feedback (both individual and Pro-Forma)
  • 2,000 News items (1,150 on the internet)
  • 6,500 Social Media pieces from Facebook, Twitter and blogs to which I provided the following:
    • 250+ Tweets
    • 104 blog posts
    • 208 combined Facebook posts via the Blog
    • 100 individual stand along Facebook posts not connected to the blog
    • 10% of all Social Media “feeds” and “posts

Not particularly bad for me running this all on my own from Talking Auckland.

While things have calmed down for now with Unitary Plan posts, it will ramp up again most likely when the UP goes for formal notification. And that notification is a three-year period :O

But hey, Civic and Professional Duty here in traversing both sides of the spectrum and being your Number One leading and independent Unitary Plan commentator 😀

Job well done (okay patting myself on the back here)

 

TALKING AUCKLAND

Talking Auckland: Blog of TotaRim Consultancy Limited

TotaRim Consultancy
Bringing Well Managed Progress to Auckland and The Unitary Plan

Auckland: 2013 – YOUR CITY, YOUR CALL