A News Post on something that has happened
What’s On at The Art Gallery From The Auckland Art Gallery: Auckland Art Gallery’s Collection Re-examined through a New Suite of Shows A major programme of new exhibitions drawn from … Continue reading Auckland Art Gallery’s Collection Re-examined through a New Suite of Shows
I caught last night while sitting in a Local Board meeting that the Auckland Regional Public Service and some areas of Auckland Council thought it might be a great idea to ban or (to better put it) restrict dairies in their operation or set up. This is meant to be in the name of fighting obesity.
Now to be clear the Dairy issue is entirely separate from the alcohol issue that is also floating around at the moment. But the issue at heart here is if something is wrong our first reaction should be to (over) regulate if not ban it outright. Umm no!
It is not our Council’s jurisdiction to decide what Dairies should sell nor to place bans on them either. What controls Council does have available is what zones it places down which will influence where a dairy can go. In short a dairy will usually establish itself in the Neighbourhood and Local Centre Zones, and maybe the Town Centre,and Mixed Use Zones. So if Council was so inclined it could use the Unitary Plan zones to influence where a dairy might go.
However, Council would be achieving more in tackling the obesity crisis if it got its act together on urban and transport planning. That is:
Otherwise the rest belongs to the realm of Social Policy via Central Government. That being Decile 1-5 schools having kitchens for quality hot (and cold) meals, decent labour provisions allowing decent wages, and paying its Iron Price so families again might be able to ditch that car and divert that $7,800/year to a better food budget.
Also dairies do form two important functions to an urban environment and a lack of dairies in new subdivisions is telling. Dairies are usually within walking distance (or even cycling of you are up for some #quaxing) to get that bottle of milk and the loaf of bread. Otherwise here comes a car trip to a Town or Metropolitan Centre (thinking Botany here) just to get those two items. Great way to cause congestion (and further fuel health issues) there from an actual lack of dairies. Dairies especially in Neighbourhood or Local Centres also form a backbone to that Centre and the local community as well. We are meant to be encouraging community here not discourage it.
Yep on to the third attempt at a Bus Interchange Design I was at the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board meeting last night as I had received a heads up they were … Continue reading Bus Interchange Now at MK3 – Yep Back To The Drawing Board AGAIN
Yay to Auckland Transport After Auckland Transport got sharply critiqued when it held the City Rail Link showcase in the City Centre but made no plans and/or mention to carry … Continue reading City Rail Link Showcase to Hit Metropolitan and Town Centres
From Auckland Council:
Three months in and Devonport’s new library is smashing records for visitor numbers, WiFi use and new memberships.
Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua, the new Devonport Library, has drawn a record number of visitors, with 93,369 visits between February and April this year. There were 27,289[1] visitors during the same months in 2014, and 45,514 during that period in 2013.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair Joseph Bergin says the community has embraced its new library and the positive feedback has been overwhelming.
“The number of people signing up for library cards has surged, with 532 people registering in the last three months,” he says.
In 2014, there were only 64 new memberships during this period, and 153 in the same period during 2013.
WiFi sessions have increased by 1004 percent, from 1,338 in February to April 2014 to 14,773 since the new library opened.
Auckland Libraries and Information General Manager Allison Dobbie says “We are thrilled that Devonport’s fantastic new library is being enjoyed by so many people.
“The building responds to changes in customer expectations of self service, digital and e-book delivery, and space to meet, relax and think.”
The brand new building on 2 Victoria Road was opened on 2 February with a dawn blessing lead by mana whenua. A civic opening celebration was held on 26 February.
With high ceilings and a mezzanine floor area, the library has 950m2 of floor space, but sits within the same footprint as the former library on Windsor Reserve.
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Job well done there 😀
From the Central Local Boards:
Sports clubs in the former Auckland City Council area shouldn’t have to pay to use sports fields when clubs elsewhere in Auckland don’t, say the chairs of Orākei, Albert-Eden and Waitematā local boards.
The three board chairs asked Auckland Council’s Parks, Sports and Recreation Committee on Tuesday to remove charges for booking sports fields in central Auckland. The committee agreed to take a case to council’s Finance and Performance Committee.
“We are asking council to correct this inequity as soon as possible as this disparity has been in place for too long,” says Orākei Local Board Chair Desley Simpson, who led the delegation.
“It’s not fair that nearly five years on from the formation of Auckland Council, sports clubs in one area should pay to use sports fields, where clubs in other areas enjoy free use. We look forward to a positive resolution for our clubs and their members.”
“Sport and recreation should be as accessible as possible for all Aucklanders, no matter where they live. One of council’s priorities is promoting individual and community well-being through recreation and sport. The current charging policy disadvantages sports clubs in the areas we represent,” says Waitematā Local Board Chair Shale Chambers.
“Sports clubs generally don’t have large budgets. Clubs can better spend their limited funds on equipment and attracting new members,” says Albert-Eden Local Board Chair Peter Haynes.
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So should they pay while the rest of us don’t? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Next Phase of EMU Roll Out to Begin From Auckland Transport: All electric, all weekend, all lines Electric trains will be introduced into weekend service on the Southern and Western … Continue reading Electrics To Operate on Weekends – ALL Lines
From Auckland Council:
Auckland Development Committee today received a report which confirmed the council’s Paturoa Rd consents were appropriate, the correct rules and been followed and that the independent commissioners were right not to publicly notify the applications.
The Auckland Council will now build on existing measures to improve resource consent practices after the review of the process which rightfully allowed a property owner to fell a kauri tree so he could build on his Titirangi section.
The report said there were lessons to be learned about how local boards are involved in such decisions, consultation with iwi and the application of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act. Similar improvements to internal processes are expected.
Chief Operation Officer Dean Kimpton told the committee there was room for improvement.
“Let’s be honest – the process for these particular consents was ‘clunky’, they could be improved upon. They took longer than necessary – in some cases issues were slow to be sorted, and communications at times were inconsistent,” he said. “We could and should have done better. We have previously advised council of our programme to streamline and improve development approvals, this application reinforces that need and our commitment to making it happen.”
Mr Kimpton also told the committee that council buying the land was not an option and that an independent process was being carried out with the local community and the land’s owners to try and find a solution for the site.
The report made several recommendations that were approved by the committee including:
The report noted staff considering the application thought the removal of the tree was regrettable but the best option because putting the house in any other place on the site would involve cutting down even more mature trees.
Committee chair and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said the report upheld the council’s actions in regards to the kauri tree and that while changes would be made to improve internal processes that particular consent could not be revoked by council.
On Ms Hulse’s recommendation, council will write to the Ministers for the Environment and Conservation outlining the complexities associated with balancing the protection of trees with the rights of property owners and suggesting staff from the ministries and council meet to discuss these issues further.
The committee also decided on a variety of measures to increase the effectiveness of its kauri dieback disease management programme.
The review conducted did not raise any specific recommendations for submissions to central government on its review of the Resource Management Act 1991.
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From Auckland Council:
A policy to manage the sale and supply of alcohol in Auckland took another step today with Auckland Council adopting its provisional local alcohol policy (LAP).
The Regional Strategy and Policy Committee today endorsed the recommendations of a hearings panel that took in to consideration more than 2600 submissions received on the draft policy last year.
The provisional policy can now be notified and those who submitted on the draft have a right of appeal.
Hearings panel chair, Cr Bill Cashmore believes the provisional policy has achieved a good balance.
“At the forefront of our decision making was ensuring we have a policy that helped towards reducing alcohol related harm in our communities. But we also recognised the importance of the hospitality industry in terms of employment and its contribution to the economy.
“There are many strong views and I can assure the community and business that we took all of those on board and made some changes to the policy as a result.”
Among the main policy options included in the council’s provisional LAP are:
Once the provisional policy is notified, submitters have 30 days to make an appeal.
The appeals are then considered by the Alcohol Regulatory Licensing Authority (ARLA) which will determined whether the appeals are reasonable in light of the act.
It is unsure how long that process will take so until then, current licensing regulations apply.
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From Auckland Council:
Today Auckland Council CEO, Stephen Town, announced the appointment of Phil Wilson as the new Director of Governance.
Mr Wilson is currently Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Auckland. He has led the Mayor’s office since 2010 through the formative stages of the new Auckland Council since amalgamation. Phil has a long background in local government and has held a number of senior management roles. He was previously General Manager of HR and Communications for Manukau City Council and then Chief Advisor to that organisation which included leading both the Chief Executive and Mayoral offices.
Stephen Town says “Phil is a well-established figure in local government in Auckland. He brings with him first-hand experience of our unique governance structure and considerable experience and knowledge. I look forward to welcoming him onto the refreshed Executive Leadership team.”
The Mayor Len Brown says “Phil is ideally suited to this position, he has a passion for Auckland and a track record of strong leadership. I want to thank him for the work he has done in the initial phase of establishing Auckland Council and his role in helping establish a vision for council and for Auckland”
Mr Wilson replaces Grant Taylor who completed his fixed term as Director of Governance.
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Auckland Council has 171 elected members across Auckland. This role is an influential primary contact point for the Governing Body, the 21 Local Boards and the Independent Maori Statutory Board. This role is also responsible for the audit and risk function and Te Waka Angamua, the team who are responsible for enabling the Council’s contribution to Maori well-being by driving the Council’s Maori responsiveness plan.
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Talking Southern Auckland 