Looking at all things planning.
Check the Sub Categories for more specific forms of planning
Traffic would show Southern End needs investment first not the Northern End The Redoubt Road-Mill Road Corridor upgrade by Auckland Transport (note: the upgrade is the northern end of … Continue reading Is Auckland Transport Focusing on the Wrong End of Mill Road
Time to forget Government and do the Auckland Transit Link (CRL) Ourselves? With the Government continuing to dither of its contribution to the Auckland Transit Link (the City Rail … Continue reading Ben’s Thoughts: What if Auckland Could Build the City Rail Link Itself? #Auckland2016
The Waitemata Local Board is seeking feedback on enhancing the vibrancy of the Newmarket Metropolitan Centre.
From the Waitemata Local Board:
Opinion on priorities sought for Newmarket Plan
Public opinion is being sought on the vision and priorities proposed in the draft Newmarket Laneways Plan. Waitematā Local Board has drafted a vision for the area to improve the quality of the streets and public spaces, making the area safer, more inviting, more interesting and more walkable.
Newmarket is one of Auckland’s busiest retail zones; it has a large residential component and is expected to experience a boom in daytime activity as the new University of Auckland, Grafton campus, begins to reach its potential. Quality planning of the area needs to take place to best prepare the centre for future growth.
Waitematā Local Board Chair, Shale Chambers, describes the Newmarket Laneways as “an area that is important for social interaction and for a more pedestrian focused retail precinct”.
“Newmarket is home to increasingly popular events and activities. We need to make sure that the planning for the area takes into account its changing face as well as the needs of those how live in and around Newmarket today.”
All those interested in providing feedback on the draft plan are invited to either complete an online feedback form on shapeauckland.co.nz before Sunday 14 June, or attend a public Open Day the next being:
– Osborne Street, Saturday 6 June, 11am – 2pm
Copies of this draft plan is available at local libraries, the Waitematā Local Board office and online on www.shapeauckland.co.nz
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Auckland Transport has been ‘reminded’ that I am awaiting further information on both the parklets and the designs to the Interchange. I have been informed that once the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board have been briefed any updates that become available will follow.
Not a lot Some days I really dread firing up Tweetdeck and Facebook in the mornings. Why? Because I wonder if both will be going like anything with messages of … Continue reading And This Is What Auckland Transport Thinks of You The Rail Passenger – Again
What if or Could We? As part of the refocus of the blog and in the prelude to #Auckland2016 I will from time to time pen some thoughts on ‘What … Continue reading Ben’s Thoughts: A TopShop/TopMan in Southern Auckland within next 2-5 years? #BetterAuckland
The North Shore is now up for their say in the New Bus Network consultation rounds. This particular one is “special” insofar as the destination routes in the City Centre are altered owing to the enabling works of the Auckland Transit Link (the City Rail Link) starting later this year. So please take note there.
From Auckland Transport
Public feedback invited on new bus network for the North Shore
Transformation of Auckland’s public transport network is underway, and from 2 June to 13 July feedback is open on proposed changes for the North Shore.
Rapid buses on the busway, new frequent services across the North Shore, improved neighbourhood services to get to the busway, and a simpler, more connected network are some of the features included in the proposed changes.
“The New Network will shift us to a completely new way of operating,” says Anthony Cross, Public Transport Network Manager. “Rather than just making modifications to bus routes here and there, we’re addressing the structure as a whole.”
For the North Shore, this means making the Northern busway more accessible to more people, and also increasing the number of local and Auckland-wide destinations you can travel to once you get to a busway station.
“It’s about increasing the freedom of where you can go and what you can do with public transport,” he says.
“Our current network isn’t built for transfers, which limits the number of destinations you can travel to easily. It’s also focused on catering to commuter travel, with frequent services running during morning and evening peak. The changes we’re proposing will overcome these limitations, by providing services that are designed to connect with each other, a new zonal fare system, as well as high frequency services that run all day, every day.”
This includes four new frequent services proposed for key routes across the North Shore. These buses will run at least every 15 minutes between 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, so passengers can simply ‘turn up and go’, even on the weekend. The Frequent Network will be supported by Connector and Local services, with lower frequencies appropriate to passenger demand.
The launch of the North Shore New Network is planned for 2017, however the time for feedback is now.
“Public feedback is crucial to creating a network that benefits Aucklanders,” says Anthony. “We’re asking people to look beyond their personal journey and weigh the benefits of the New Network as a whole, however we need to know if the new services will get you where you need to go.
“Now’s the time we can make changes – once the New Network is implemented it will be much harder.”
North Shore residents will receive a copy of the consultation brochure with a map in their mail box. Feedback can be given online, at a public information event or by completing the form in the brochure and mailing it back.
For more information on the North Shore consultation visit www.AT.govt.nz/NewNetwork.
The New Network is a region-wide public transport network that will change the way people travel. It will include Frequent, Connector, Local and Peak services. The Frequent Network will have buses and trains at least every 15 minutes from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week.
……….Public Information Events
Date Time Event Sat 6 June 10am – 3pm Devonport Library Sun 7 June 5.30pm – 10pm Glenfield Night Markets Sun 14 June 7am – midday Browns Bay Market Thurs 18 June 4pm – 7pm Albany and Constellation Busway Stations Sat 20 June 10am – 2pm Northcote Library Chinese and Korean speaking staff will be present at this event
Sat 20 June 8am – 1pm Beach Haven Market Sun 21 June 10am – 3pm Birkenhead Library Sat 27 June 10am – 2pm Mairangi Bay Shops Sun 28 June 7am – midday Takapuna Markets Weds 1 July 4pm – 7pm Sunnynook and Smales Farm Busway Stations Fri 3 July Midday – 4.30pm Upper Harbour Local Board office, Albany Sat 4 July 10.30am – 2.30pm Greenhithe Village Hall Sun 5 July 2.30pm – 7pm Sunnynook Community Centre Chinese and Korean speaking staff will be present at this event
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A PDF Brochure
Still not caring when there is a Block of Lines on the Rail Network After last Wednesday’s omni-shambles with Auckland Rail Network where Auckland Transport simply was “too busy” … Continue reading This Is What Auckland Transport Thinks of You – The Rail Passenger X2
Thank for your invitation and having me at your Community Hui Yesterday I was at Avondale as part of a five person strong panel talking to the community about challenges … Continue reading Thank You Avondale. Also Reference Material from My Talk
Park and Ride Charges while being “considered” they are not being adopted any time soon Seems Labour’s Transport and Auckland spokesperson Phil Tywford has entirely missed the point on Auckland … Continue reading Labour Misses Point on Auckland’s Transport – Again
From Auckland Transport:
A fresh look at parking in Auckland
Auckland Transport has adopted a parking strategy which will mean a consistent approach for the first time for parking across the region.
The document allows for a case by case approach to parking taking into account local issues and the views of local boards and the community. Consultation with the community will continue as parking measures are introduced.
In May 2014, Auckland Transport released the Parking Discussion Document for public consultation. The Discussion Document set out key parking issues in Auckland, provided suggested approaches to meet these issues and sought community feedback to guide the development of the AT Parking Strategy. As part of the consultation process, there were 22 workshops with local boards, industry groups, business associations, and Auckland Council.
More than 5,500 submissions were received, a quarter were about the overall management of demand parking, 18% were about parking on residential streets and on park and rides and 11% were about parking on arterial roads. Half the submissions came from central Auckland or from CBD fringe suburbs such as Parnell, Ponsonby and Newton.
Auckland Transport’s Parking Services Manager Russell Derecourt says there has been pressure to find a solution to commuter parking issues in residential streets. “The problem involves commuters and service vehicles parking long term and taking parking from local residents.”
Mr Derecourt says Auckland Transport has been talking with residential groups and will, in conjunction with local boards and the community develop a consultation programme.
In addition there is the issue of managing space on arterial roads and traffic conflicting with kerbside parking. In Auckland, 60% of bus trips, 40% of car journeys and 35% of trips by goods vehicles are on arterials.
Chief Strategy Officer Peter Clark says there is a need to manage parking on arterial roads to optimise the number of people, services and goods moving on those roads. “Auckland Transport recognises that we need to take a measured approach in town centres to take into account local characteristics and develop solutions that meet local needs, we will do this in consultation with local boards, business associations and the local community”.
He says park and rides in the right places have proven to effectively extend the potential number of users for public transport and get people out of their cars. There are currently around 5,500 park and ride spots and 80% are full by 8am with parking overflowing into local streets. Further opportunities for park and rides will be reviewed taking into consideration appropriate land use in a rapidly growing city.
The AT Parking Strategy contributes to the achievement of Auckland Transport’s strategic themes and Auckland Plan outcomes. It also outlines the guiding principles and policies for the management and supply of on-street and AT-controlled off-street parking in Auckland.
The AT Parking Strategy and the submissions document can be found here: www.at.govt.nz/about-us/transport-plans-strategies/parking-strategy
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I am inclined to have any Park and Ride not serving a rural catchment (so between Otahuhu, New Lynn, and Constellation Drive) attract a $2/day flat fare especially when there are feeder buses to be feeding those particular stations. Those Park and Rides with rural catchments (so Papakura and Swanson) should remain free owing to lack of feeder buses in the rural catchment.
