My thoughts on the Future Port Study The All About Auckland interview on the Future Port Study has gone up early and you can see it below: Source: http://www.allaboutauckland.com/video/2911/the-little-port-of-waitemata-episode-57-all-about-auckland-show … Continue reading Talking Port Future Study – The Video
A Committee of the Whole and two Sub-Committees are meeting this week to discuss some important issues about Auckland and/or the Council Controlled Organisations (CCO’s).
Agenda: http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2015/04/AUC_20150416_AGN_5975_AT_WEB.HTM
Nothing too heavy on the agenda for the Auckland Development Committee this time around. The usual City Centre Integration Group update is being presented and no doubt both the City Rail Link start and updates on Precinct Properties downtown development will come up for debate. The Central Wharves Strategy is still being refined and any updates on that should be presented as well on Thursday
Agenda: no point as it is all in closed session.
That said the sub committee being in closed session is still an important one to watch especially if you have submitted to the Unitary Plan. The Unitary Plan Committee decides what position the Council will take into mediation for the Unitary Plan Hearings. The three topics up for mediation decision are:
The Transport topic is the one I am most interested in as it is one of six topics I submitted on to the Unitary Plan. Parking and Parking Minimums which should be nice and controversial but hey, I want a 21st Century Auckland not a 1960’s Auckland. Mediation for Transport (and parking) is next month with the Hearings on the matter in July.
Agenda: http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2015/04/COU_20150414_AGN_5941_AT_WEB.HTM
This Committee this month is big one as the CCO’s are both reporting performance AND giving their next three yearly Statement of Intents (SOI). This is the only Committee that can “compel” a CCO (within legislation) to do something on behalf of the Governing Body. Note: Port of Auckland is not a CCO it is a full commercial company overseen by Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL).
No doubt Port of Auckland will come up today via discussing ACIL although with the Future Port Study being prepared I would think it was a good idea to hold fire as it were until CEO Stephen Town presents the scope of the study in due course.
I will not be at any of the Committees this week so no live Tweeting folks.
On the All About Auckland Show Tonight (and later on demand) I am on location this time to talk Ports of Auckland again as the Future Port Study starts … Continue reading I Talk Ports of Auckland – Again
In short and as one said in Parliament: Time to Cut The Crap Those were the firing lines from Auckland Development Committee Chair and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse in … Continue reading BOYS, Let’s Talk Housing – Says Deputy Mayor Hulse
I was shown this earlier today:
Train services leave Pukekohe commuter in tears
A Pukekohe commuter has been left alone at night and in tears over delays involving Auckland Transport.
Kristie Weeks travels the Southern Line from Pukekohe to Britomart fives days a week. On Friday March 13th, Kristie caught her usual 5.18pm service home to Pukekohe.
After further delays the train reached Takanini and passengers were told the train would be terminating at Papakura and taxi vans would be arranged to take them rest of the way to Pukekohe.
Only two taxi vans had been arranged and Kristie was left in tears, alone in an unfamiliar place at night. With no seats left she was told she would need to make her own way home.
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The same incident happened the following Monday, fortunately, Kristie was able to get a seat on the taxi van that night. More train delays and terminations continued throughout the week, leaving Kristie and other passengers sitting at a standstill for more than two hours due to broken trains ahead.
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Media Relations Manager for Auckland Transport, Mark Hannan, told We Love Pukekohe that this is unacceptable.
“There should have been replacement transport available for all passengers, and we apologise if this wasn’t the case. Transdev (Auckland) is investigating and are now contacting staff who worked those shifts.”
There has been no response since from Transdev to We Love Pukekohe’s request for comment.
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Source and full post: http://welovepukekohe.com/pukekohe-tears-fro-train-commuter/
That just strengthens my call for Auckland Council to conduct a full and open public inquiry into our metro rail network. Do the inquiry of confidence and faith grounds especially as patronage grows but that growth is at risk from confidence issues.
The last four weeks with rail failures are unacceptable and both Transdev insofar as their management and control room, and Auckland Transport need to lift their game. We do not need “accidents” owing to their respective failures like Pukekohe.
Nothing much, Court Date Set for next Thursday Well any resolution from Port of Auckland’s and Auckland Council Investment Limited (ACIL) respective Boards over the Bledisole Wharf extensions wont be … Continue reading Port and ACIL Board Indecisive Over Wharf Extensions
From Auckland Council:
Today Auckland Council CEO, Stephen Town, announced the appointment of Jim Quinn as the new Chief of Strategy.
Mr Quinn is an experienced CEO and executive manager. As the inaugural CEO of KiwiRail he led the integration of New Zealand’s rail assets and created the plan to turn the business around.
Stephen Town says “This is a pivotal role in the refreshed executive leadership team and will take the lead in translating Auckland’s big plans into action and building a unified region.”
“Jim is joining us at a time when Auckland is growing and changing rapidly. His knowledge of infrastructure, transport and the technology industry will be a great asset to Auckland Council and Aucklanders.”
Jim has previous experience in General Management roles with New Zealand Post, Advantage Group, WEL Energy, QED Software and New Zealand Couriers. He was Chair of MCom for nine years and is currently a director at Lyttleton Port, Payments New Zealand, Halls Group and Go Bus.
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Mr Quinn replaces Roger Blakely who completed his fixed term as Chief Planning Officer.
The Chief Planning Office (CPO) is the policy and planning division of Auckland Council which was established in November 2010.
The Chief Planning Office has been responsible for the preparation of several of the plans and strategies developed in the first term of the Auckland Council, including:
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How to convince a ‘cool’ Council One thing I applaud with Generation Zero is getting out there and mobilising people to have their say in Council (and Central Government) plans … Continue reading The Auckland Plan Transport Networks vs The Essentials Transport Budget
A Mixed Bag but there was one compelling call And that is for Auckland Council to investment more in public and active transport modes and less on Governance and Support … Continue reading Long Term Plan Feedback – The Breakdown
No Clear Cut Response to Questions Though From Auckland Council: More than 27,000 had their say on Auckland’s future Auckland Council’s 10-year budget consultation received a record 27,353 written submissions, … Continue reading 27,000 Submissions for Long Term Plan (Council Budget)
Talking Southern Auckland 