Better Development Opportunities Do Present Themselves This afternoon the Council Finance and Performance Committee will meet. One of the agenda items is to “authorise” Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL) … Continue reading Council Sells Land – Which It Should NOT in One Case
The majority of Aucklanders say better public transport, less traffic congestion, and more affordable and quality housing are the top priorities for the region.
The results are part of an annual survey measuring what Aucklanders want from their council and how they feel Auckland Council is performing.
The annual survey is a valuable tool to help the council gauge the concerns and priorities of its residents, and to identify where the council needs to improve its services, activities and communication.
The latest council-Colmar Brunton survey was concluded in September 2013 and measures a range of factors, including perception and attitudes towards council’s performance, and what Aucklanders want from their council.
When asked what Auckland needed to focus on to become the world’s most liveable city, 61 per cent of respondents said improved public transport, 54 per cent said reduced traffic congestion, and 44 per cent said more affordable and quality housing.
Walking and cycling is about to become more attractive in the suburb of Mangere thanks to the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, Auckland Transport, and NZTA stepping up and investing in better walk/cycleways around the Mangere Town Centre Area.
From the NZ Herald
$7m walking and cycling plan to get residents of deprived area out of cars
Mangere Central, one of the country’s most economically and socially challenged enclaves, is in line for an urban project that will make walking and cycling safer.
Researchers with a $3 million government grant have spent 18 months getting close to the community to discover what it would take to get residents out of their cars and into healthier exercise habits.
They are backed to the hilt by the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, which has voted to spend about $1.7 million on three projects which will among other things form a 2km recreational walking and cycling circuit from Mangere town centre, taking in Windrush Reserve and Mascot Ave.
The reserve has a bad crime record, including a history of sex attacks, but board chairwoman Lydia Sosene hopes opening it up as part of a circuit with good lighting and see-through fences will encourage more people including family groups to use it for fitness and recreation as well as easier access to the town centre.
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Ms Sosene expected the initiative to be “a huge game changer” which would lift her community by making it safer and easier to get moving.
Future streets
What it is: Urban design, public health and road safety project for Mangere Central. What it will cost: About $7 million (including a $3 million four-year government research grant). When changes will be seen: From next year.
I take my hat off to the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board for driving this campaign to improve the street and urban landscape one bit at a time to encourage more people being active in their community and less reliant on the car.
Now to get small schemes like this rolled out City wide.
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On Urban Development in Southern Auckland I posted this to Councillor Dick Quax earlier yesterday on Facebook: Dick Quax I have a thought for you to consider. The Unitary … Continue reading What If – We Go Full Throttle