The American Mall Comeback – Reintegrating them back into the Urban Fabric Yesterday while I was in the Unitary Plan Mediation on the Metropolitan Centre Zone the Council Planners earned … Continue reading Rebirth of the American Mall, And Auckland
Tag: Auckland Council
Council Planners Remark Unitary Plan Wont Be Read by the Layman – YOU!
Unitary Plan Mediation Process is deeply flawed Yesterday I went home in utter frustration after eight and a half hours cover nine pages of the total of 25 we needed … Continue reading Council Planners Remark Unitary Plan Wont Be Read by the Layman – YOU!
At the Unitary Plan Mediation on the Business Zones #BetterAuckland
Manukau and addition of the Super Metropolitan Centre Zone my focus for today Today (and all day) I will be at Town Hall along with other Unitary Plan submitters “mediating” … Continue reading At the Unitary Plan Mediation on the Business Zones #BetterAuckland
Exclusive: Would You Want To Live Here? #AKLPols
Minister wants to build houses in this location in Manukau City Centre Recently Housing Minister Nick Smith announced that the Government will release Crown Land to private developers for housing. … Continue reading Exclusive: Would You Want To Live Here? #AKLPols
Auckland Businesses and Council to Explore Global Opportunities
Trip to LA to Talk Business
From The Office of the Mayor Len Brown
Auckland businesses explore global opportunities
Mayor Len Brown and Councillors Bill Cashmore and Denise Krum are to lead a delegation representing 43 Auckland businesses taking part in the inaugural Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit in Los Angeles.
The summit next week will give the delegates the opportunity to explore business and investment opportunities with contacts from Los Angeles and Guangzhou, with the aim of bringing greater investment to Auckland.
“Auckland is New Zealand’s only global city and we are fast becoming a significant innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The summit gives us the chance to build our trade and economic relations; to create exciting export opportunities for the participating businesses: and share knowledge in the crucial areas of transport and housing.”
The delegation will include Auckland businesses from the sectors of education, innovation such as ICT, clean/green technologies, transportation and screen/creative.
The contribution to the Auckland economy in terms of GDP of these sectors is $10.8 billion (in 2010 dollars); accounting for 17 per cent of the total Auckland economy, and 36 per cent of Auckland’s employment (in 2013).
“The connections we will make on this trip in turn will lead to job creation and help grow our economy,” Mayor Brown adds.
ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says Auckland’s economic growth agency will implement a three-year business and investment attraction strategy to seize opportunities delivered by the Tripartite.
“It is not about a summit once a year. We aim to deliver long-term outcomes from an ongoing business programme. The 2013 America’s Cup regatta was the catalyst for an expanded emphasis on California for Auckland’s world-class emerging tech and screen and digital companies,” Mr O’Riley says.
The summit follows the signing in November 2014 of the historic Tripartite Economic Alliance, designed to boost economic co-operation between the three cities.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown says Guangzhou and Los Angeles are Auckland’s most well-established and economically important sister cities.
Prior to the summit, the Mayor will be attending a World Cities Summit mayoral forum in New York.
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Also
New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects – Auckland, Guangzhou & Los Angeles Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit
Auckland’s architecture and landscape architecture bodies are delighted to support Mayor Len Brown’s
promotion of a ‘Design Led City’ at the upcoming Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit in Los Angeles.
The summit, to be hosted by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, will also be attended by the Mayor of
Guangzhou, as well as business leaders and companies from all three cities. The theme, Innovation –
Commercialism and Connectivity, will explore a range of subjects including renewable energy, transportation
and infrastructure, of which architects and landscape architects have a keen interest in promoting.
New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) president, Shannon Bray, says that ‘the meeting is a
chance to support Auckland Council in the promotion of design–‐led outcomes for the advancement of our city.
The NZILA supports Auckland’s widely shared vision to become the world’s most liveable city, and believes that
this can be achieved through high standards of urban spatial design and architecture.’
Mr Bray will be attending the summit as joint representative of both the NZILA and the New Zealand Institute
of Architects, and sees this coming together of the professions as an important collaboration. ‘It is important
that as design professionals we work together with Auckland Council to find innovative and creative solutions
to the city’s transportation and infrastructure needs’.
The recent entering of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is an important step in the recognition of the exciting
work undertaken to date, including the development of vibrant public spaces such as the Wynyard Quarter,
shared spaced streets such as Elliot Street, and the advancement of Auckland transport initiatives such as train
electrification.
Mr Bray says that the collaborative involvement of members of both the architecture and landscape
architecture professions in the design of future Auckland projects, such as the City Rail Link, future Harbour
Crossing and public open spaces is crucial to the enhancement of the city. ‘Together we can create a city that is
both enjoyable to live in and functional to travel across’.
‘The tripartite initiative is a catalyst for the promotion of high quality design’ says Mr Bray. ‘We look forward
to being involved in the sharing of information with our sister cities, as well as developing stronger
relationships with our worldwide colleagues facing similar design considerations. Auckland, and New Zealand,
should be proud of the quality of our urban environments.’
The tripartite summit is being held in Los Angeles 10th – 12th June, and will be attended by a range of Auckland
Council, Government and private company representatives.
Further information on the summit can be found at http://laedc.org/ts/, on the New Zealand Institute of
Landscape Architects at www.nzila
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Rainbow Panel Members Sought
Panel Member Applications Now Open
From Auckland Council:
Applications open for Rainbow Communities’ Advisory Panel
Auckland Council is inviting applications for positions for the first term of the Rainbow Communities’ Advisory Panel.
The purpose of the advisory panel is to provide strategic advice on issues of significance and help the council engage effectively with Auckland’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) communities and stakeholders.
Councillor Cathy Casey, who will be the liaison councillor for the panel, said a Rainbow Communities’ Advisory Panel was overdue. “It’s important this part of the community feels engaged and well represented. We want to make sure we have a very colourful Rainbow panel.”
She added: “It is interesting our initiative in establishing the panel coincides with the Lonely Planet’s new guide, Guide to Pride, which rates Auckland among the world’s most gay-friendly cities.”
Applicants, who must be permanent New Zealand residents and live in Auckland, will be assessed on how they demonstrate the following competencies:
- Ability to think strategically and critically on issues and trends specific to their area of interest
- Knowledge of the main issues for Rainbow communities, as well expertise in one or more issues of particular relevance/significance for those communities
- Sound understanding of community perspectives, dynamics, key organisations and networks
- Experience of a governance and advisory role.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a selection panel comprising Councillor Casey, a senior council manager, and three members of the community with appropriate expertise.
Applications are open from 9 June 2015 to 24 June 2015.
Application forms are available online from www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/advisorypanels and from council libraries and customer service centres.
Completed forms should be emailed to ACadvisorypanels@madison.co.nz or posted to Madison Recruitment Ltd, PO Box 105 675, Auckland 1143.
The appointed panel will comprise 10-13 members who will be paid a meeting fee of $250 (less withholding tax). The panel will meet six weekly.
For further information on the role of advisory panels visit the council website or call 09 3010101 (from 9 June).
Note:
- Rainbow communities is a term that covers the diversity of sexual orientations and gender/sex identities. It is inclusive of, but not exclusive to: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex, Takataapui, Whakawahine, Vakasalewalewa, Fakaleiti, Tangata Ira Tane, Tongzhu, Mahu, Palopa, Fa’afafine, Akavaine, Fakafifine, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Genderqueer, Pansexual, and Genderfluid.
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Is Auckland Transport Focusing on the Wrong End of Mill Road
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
Draft Newmarket Metropolitan Centre Laneways Plan
Not everything is City Centre Centric
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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Update on Manukau Parklets and the Manukau Interchange MK3 designs from Auckland Transport.
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.
And This Is What Auckland Transport Thinks of You The Rail Passenger – Again
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
Berry: Sell Surplus Auckland Stadiums. #Auckland2016
Mayoral Candidate Stephen Berry says we should sell surplus stadiums
In the run up to #Auckand2016 and the Local Elections Talking Southern Auckland from time to time will look at some of the larger issues facing either Southern Auckland or wider Auckland. This morning mayoral candidate Stephen Berry has mentioned about the Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) Stadium Strategy that has been dogged in controversy.
From Voxy:
Sell Auckland’s surplus stadiums – Berry
“Auckland has too many stadiums and the Auckland Council should look at selling some of them,” Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry says.
The Affordable Auckland leader has described Auckland’s stadium situation as a “debacle,” after the council’s stadiums strategy was sent back to the drawing board yet again. Council-controlled Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) has been given another year to consult on its strategy, which has upset the Warriors franchise over plans to move its games to QBE Stadium in Albany.
Berry says the Auckland Council should kick the current strategy to touch and change its entire approach to managing Auckland’s stadiums. “The stadiums strategy will leave sports fans unhappy and ratepayers out of pocket, funding white elephants that sit empty for most of the year.
“Auckland has an oversupply of stadiums and the Auckland Council needs to think seriously about selling one or more of them. For those that remain, we need to make sure the sports codes that use them pay for their fair share of their upkeep.”
Berry says the council should appoint an independent panel to review the region’s stadiums, with a focus on reducing costs for ratepayers. “As an example, the council is planning to spend millions upgrading Western Springs to host one cricket match a year. This has all the makings of a white elephant, which is ironic considering its close proximity to Auckland Zoo. Cities around the world have got themselves into financial strife by spending too much on sports stadiums for little return. Auckland needs to avoid making the same mistakes.”
“Several of Auckland’s stadiums are in prime locations and would fetch attractive prices if sold,” Berry says. “The money raised from stadium sales could be used to pay off debt, reduce rates increases or even fund the infrastructure and transport improvements Auckland desperately needs.”
He says it’s “questionable” whether the council should even own stadiums. Eden Park, the largest stadium in the country, is run by a separate trust.
“At the very least, RFA should be merged with another council-controlled organisation, such as ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) to save costs.”
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