Tag: Auckland Council

Devonport Library Smashes – Records

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New Library does very well

From Auckland Council:

Devonport Library smashes records in first three months

 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 😀

Council Wanting To Improve Consenting Processes

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Adequate in Belief but Room for Improvement (as always)

From Auckland Council:

Auckland Council agrees consents appropriate but wants improvements to process

 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:

  • Review process on how consent applications are provided to local boards and iwi and how feedback on applications is received. Similarly how to keep the applicant across key issues and progress.
  • Using clearer language that better describes the nature of applications as well as providing aerial photography and relevant information such as ecologist and arborist reports
  • Regular training and refreshers for resource consents staff on the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area, its Act and how activities in that particular area are managed
  • Training for local board members on the resource consent process and the associated legal issues
  • Ensure the right triggers are identified in matters local boards have had a specific interest in.

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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New Alcohol Restrictions Set to Come into Force

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Tougher Restrictions to get that wine at Pak N Save or Countdown

From Auckland Council:

Alcohol policy for Auckland takes next step 

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:

  • Maximum trading hours for on-licences of  8am to 4am in Auckland’s CBD and 8am up to 3am for the rest of Auckland
  • No option of extension of hours for on-licences
  • Maximum trading hours for all off-licences, including supermarkets of between 9am and 9pm
  • Creation of 23 priority areas where a variety of policy tools will be used to manage density and location
  • One of these is a  two year freeze on the issuing of new off-licences in priority areas from when the policy comes in to effect
  • A range of discretionary licensing conditions
  • The panel also recommended that the proposal included in the draft regarding single sale be amended as a result of submissions.

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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Further Information:

New Council Director of Governance Appointed

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New Mayoral Chief of Staff to be appointed

From Auckland Council:

Auckland Council Director of Governance announcement

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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Further Information:

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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Standardisation of Library Hours

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Extra Hours can be funded by Local Boards

One of the decisions to come out of the Long Term Plan debate over the last two days:

From Auckland Council:

Auckland libraries hold on to opening hours

Auckland Council’s Budget Committee has voted to standardise library opening hours, meaning changes proposed to reduce total library hours across Auckland will not go ahead.

It had been proposed in the draft 10-year Budget that library hours could be reduced to cut costs; however the committee took into account strong public feedback provided through the consultation process and decided the total number of opening hours across the region should stay the same, but be distributed differently.

Mayor of Auckland Len Brown says “Aucklanders have spoken, and we have listened and responded to their concerns.

“The consultation feedback showed how highly Aucklanders value their libraries, so in response to that, we won’t be cutting hours, but will redistribute them fairly to allow more equitable access in each area.”

These changes result in 27 libraries increasing their hours, 24 reducing and three, including the Central City Library, remaining the same. Several libraries, currently funded to be open for six days a week, will now open seven days a week.

One of the communities to benefit from this decision is Birkenhead, where the proposed reduction to its opening hours attracted a lot of feedback. Councillors and council staff took this into account and its seven day service will now remain.

Opening hours are generally 44, 48, 52 or 56 per week, except for Central City Library which is open for 67 hours per week.

Detailed work is still required to establish the exact daily opening hours for the libraries where hours will change.

Local boards may also choose to fund additional opening hours at their local libraries.

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