In breaking news the Governing Body of Auckland Council has resolved to not to give Auckland a referendum next year on our transport funding options. The option that would have most likely been in play was whether Auckland wants a $2 motorway toll to help fund the $12 billion transport funding gap that is affecting projects like the Otahuhu and Manukau Transport Interchanges.
The vote failed 9-11
UPDATE
The Governing Body has resolved the following:
Recommendations
That the Governing Body:
a) agree to not undertake a referendum to seek feedback from Auckland electors on
transport investment and funding options.
b) direct the Chief Executive to commission an independent statistically reliable survey
to help inform choices about transport funding.
Those of us pushing for the Mayor to deliver on this promised public (non-binding) referendum on alternative transport (eg tolls) funding just failed 9/11. However a small win for me as my amendments to his winning (12/9) proposal to do the consultation through the LTP instead, were successfully added which will hopefully help the public and the subsequent analysis.
C) that matters pertaining to alternative transport funding options are separated from the rest of the consultation document in a visually distinct way to highlight their significance to the people of Auckland
D) that feedback from submissions and responses to the LTP consultation document on alternative transport funding are independently reviewed and analysed by a suitably qualified and independent party who will report back their findings, and those from the statistically accurate survey, directly to the Governing Body.
UPDATE:
The Governing Body has resolved to send out to consultation the establishment of the new Auckland Development CCO. The Recommendations were:
Recommendation/s
That the Governing Body:
a) agree to progress evaluation of the establishment of an urban development agency
in order to further the council’s urban development objectives.
b) agree that the option to establish an urban development agency by combining
Waterfront Auckland and Auckland Council Properties Ltd is the preferred option.
c) note that the proposal for a new council controlled agency will be provided for in the
Long Term Plan and subject to public consultation.
d) agree to transfer responsibility for managing the council’s diversified financial assets
portfolio from Auckland Council Investments Limited to Auckland Council treasury
team, from 1 July 2015, and to reduce the number of Auckland Council
Auckland Council Governing Body to Deliberate on Transport Funding Referenda TODAY If people would listen to Radio NZ and read blogs more, the Herald article today on Council Officers opposing … Continue reading Referendum? What Referendum [Update]
Someone had to stir up a hornet’s nest this morning in the Herald about kids playing in a playground.
From the NZ Herald
Kids’ flying fox irks residents at Stonefields
5:00 AM Wednesday Nov 26, 2014 – Anne Gibson
Stonefields neighbours complain after playground opens in front of their houses
The days of children screaming in delight as they whiz along a flying fox might be numbered at one housing development.
Signs are about to be put up and a noise assessment is under way after complaints about children making too much noise at the new playground next to the Stonefields estate.
Residents there are upset about an adventure kids’ park which opened in front of their houses a few weeks ago.
A large flying fox outside their front doors bringing what they say is excessive noise and large areas of sand – used to create a landing zone beneath the equipment – are their main issues.
Alan Gilder, of Galway Bay Tce, said he didn’t begrudge children the playground but he wants the flying fox and sand removed, is concerned about three tall climbing towers which he said were a potential hazard and said children endangered locals by riding bikes on footpaths.
“I would like the flying fox removed. It does get very noisy on the weekend and there’s sand everywhere. I certainly didn’t expect to have a beach on my doorstep. It gets inside. The park is awesome but they haven’t put a lot of thought into it – the flying fox generates a lot of squealing.”
Another resident, who has since sold her house, said meetings had been held with political representatives to resolve issues with the park.
Mr Gilder said pets defecated in the sand which created another safety hazard.
Stonefields is a joint venture between Fletcher Building and Todd Properties to develop the 2600-residence estate in a former quarry at the foot of Mt Wellington.
Fletcher Residential general manager Ken Lotu-Iiga said he had initially not been aware of issues with the park.
“We have referred a few people on to Todd but it’s something that came to light when the park was constructed,” he said.
Desley Simpson, chairwoman of the Orakei Local Board which funded the playground, said issues were being discussed with a view to resolution.
Okay granted sand might not be the most practical idea I could think of but for the rest it looks like pure NIMBYism and wrapping kids up in Politically Correct cotton wool.
If the kids were screaming like hell in the night there would be grounds for complaints. But during the day especially as summer is coming (and a loo is to be installed I hear)? Come on, we are meant to be encouraging kids outside not cotton wool them up and plant them behind Play Stations…..
I remember when apply for a job that dealt with the implantation side of the Auckland Plan and how I got a phone call (and I had to make one later on because the HR department “forgot” to update me) after progressing through various recruitment rounds only to find out that job no longer existed due to “budget cuts.” Those budget cuts were the review that was happening in the Planning division of Auckland Council at the time. So after being told of budget cuts did I see three new positions for Auckland Plan implementation open up although this time for three senior managers.
And here they are – this from Auckland Council
New staff to boost delivery of Auckland Plan
Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer Roger Blakeley has appointed three new senior staff after a review of the planning division saw a realignment of responsibilities designed to future-proof the council’s strategy and planning team and help to create the world’s most liveable city.
Roger Blakeley says that the first four years of the division were about establishing the planning framework for a unified Auckland, developing long-term strategic plans to guide Auckland’s development.
“Our focus now is to build on those foundations and shift towards delivery on the ground, as well as completing some of the major planning work such as the council input to the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan process.
“This is about turning the Auckland Plan’s ambitious goals into reality, delivering value for money and action on the ground for residents, customers, citizens and visitors. It is also about scanning international trends amongst liveable cities and providing high level strategic advice to the council.” he says.
“I’m thrilled to fill these three key roles with high calibre candidates, each with a wealth of knowledge and experience in their field.”
They are:
Kataraina Maki has been appointed General Manager, Community and Social Policy. This is a new role created to lead the development of high quality community and social policy advice for the Governing Body and its committees. She has a strong record of achievement in community policy-funding and social policy environments in local and central government. Her most recent role has been as the General Manager of the Glenn Enquiry into child abuse and domestic violence. She is currently based in the Bay of Plenty.
Chris Parker has been appointed Chief Economist until August 2016 while Chief Economist Geoff Cooper is on sabbatical at Princeton. He will provide advice on Auckland’s economic issues for the Mayor and elected representatives. He also will provide advice on the state of the Auckland economy to the Auckland community. Chris currently works as a Senior Economist for the NZ Institute of Economic Research. He has extensive experience in cost-benefit appraisal and developing policies, regulations and public investment strategies. He has provided economic advice on the City Centre Masterplan, City Rail Link and the additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing and other major transport projects. He is currently based in Wellington.
John Mauro has been appointed Chief Sustainability Officer. In this newly-created role, John will promote sustainability practices within council and in Auckland generally. John recently worked as Principal Transport Planner in the council’s Strategy and Research Team. Before that he worked for a US organisation and was responsible for mobilising business support for major transport legislation, and as a climate policy analyst in the Mayor of Seattle’s office, where he helped the Mayor establish a coalition of one thousand US mayors for climate protection. He has also had experience in working with non-government organisations promoting liveable communities and smart growth. John brings leadership skills, policy understanding and experience working at a senior political level.
Further senior staff appointments will be announced in the near future…..
—-ends—-
The podcast on the new Auckland Development CCO will be put up later in the afternoon. But I hold the suspicion of too my chiefs at the top and not enough Indians at the bottom to get anything meaningful really done. Remembering while the Auckland Plan annual update gave the implementation a pass rate, three of the big key factors that affect Auckland’s health were still off target….
Talking Southern Auckland 