The same applies here in Auckland with her malls.

Lynn Mall is now undergoing redevelopment as it leverages off the New Lynn Rail Station and bus interchange. Sylvia Park having a privately built rail station next to it will also undergo such redevelopment in the near future.

The Westfield Malls have potential especially Albany (the Albany Bus Station), West City Henderson (Henderson Station and bus stops around the area), and Manukau with the Manukau Rail Station 400 metres to the south and a proposed transport interchange in the pipeline once Council stops playing silly buggered with the Budget (Long Term Plan).

The “Town Centre” come mall needing a heck of a load of work is Botany Town Centre. The absolute pinnacle of auto-centric development with 6-lane arterials flanking it and not much in the way in Light Rail or even bus priority measures. Botany which is deemed a Metropolitan Centre under the Unitary Plan will need some work such as Sky Train linking it to Manukau and Panmure as well as better bus priority measures for quick wins and longer term gains for short distance commuter travelling.

So much potential yet we still lag compared to overseas.

And topping off a very interesting 2014 the last of the monthly 2014 blog rankings are out.

As noted in an earlier post this morning yesterday was the third anniversary of Talking Auckland. As I look back over 2014 I also look forward to 2015.

I am also looking at freshening up the blog layout and investigating whether to take some content like any urban renewal stuff (e.g the Manukau Redevelopment projects) behind a paywall. I will let you know what my thoughts and decisions are around that later on.

And as always a thanks to readers, fellow commentators, and followers on the Facebook and Twitter pages. Without you Talking Auckland would be just talking to a blank wall 😉

While IAP2’s post would be aimed at Public Authorities and maybe businesses on the forefront of social engagement, the five points are also relevant to blogs covering such issues like Talking Auckland does.

As we head into 2015 and a very busy year for Auckland (and myself) Point #2 is something most relevant for the blog:

“Topic-specific interests trump demographics. PR and marketing pros know there is no such thing as a “general public.” When you use a spray-and-pray campaign approach, not only will you not effectively evaluate your efforts, but you might end up wasting a lot of money delivering your message to people who couldn’t care less about what you’re saying. Many brand managers have sent out targeted messages on social media, only to see interest from audiences never even considered in the planning process. This doesn’t mean there’s a “general public.” Social media is just highlighting the importance of finding those who care about your message. Identifying demographics is a start, but once you find those people who are really interested in your product, service, or cause, your message will go much further.”

This is really applicable as the blog has reached a critical mass in sharing information with that sharing happening multiple times over above normal organic reach (meaning using Twitter the number of Retweets on top of Retweets that expands the reach). So in short making sure the information is relevant to those interested and might share it to their circles and beyond. Especially if I want to “assist” in getting greater participation in our civic institution.

So while on holiday and the blog in Summer Series mode, reviews and plans to continue to enhance Talking Auckland are under way

Well this is timely given the Sky City blow out dogging the Government. My message is still the same, flip the bird to Sky City and walk away Steven Joyce (and Auckland Council as well in regards to operation subsidies).

Never before has Left, Centre, Right, Liberal, Conservative and Libertarian been so united against Sky City in this instance. Well done Sky City for that dubious and rare feat.

Now I see the average cost of blow outs backed up by some good evidence is mentioned. So I link this old but goodie: https://voakl.net/2012/05/18/the-crl-and-the-rail-fallacy/

Those Fallacy posts for the CRL served as a warning so we can avoid such blow outs like the disaster of the motorway tunnel construction in Seattle.

I note the average rail cost blow out was 44.7% with ranges between 0-100%. This would put it close to my 1.5x or 50% blow out potential.

However, before someone complains about rail I point out that the Sydney Toll Roads have gone bust twice, the Brisbane Airport Toll Road once, and a few in America going bust….

Well that is good to know

Might want to tell Climate Change advocates that seeming they say the science is settled (like fundamentalists do with religion).

Nothing in science is ever settled and science does not know all. Hence why we keep endeavouring on with science; to learn, critique and expand our horizons as NOTHING is settled

Well as soon as I throw the blog in Summer mode it goes to poodoo for Central Government….

This, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and Sky City are giving the Government grief at the moment.

While one does not affect Auckland per say compared to the other two it shows our Central Government is going to need a heck of a prod.

Auckland is already facing three years of a Mayor not being at full strength, we certainly do not need a Central Government not firing on all cylinders either. Not now not ever