What was a hobby is now a Professional Enterprise At the beginning of the month I introduced TotaRim Consultancy Limited, my private firm handling: urban/transport planning and management, as … Continue reading To a Professional Era
Tag: Ben Ross
Myth Busting The Housing Accord
Groan when Government MPs think in one dimension to a problem One of the flaws of our Westminster Parliamentary system New Zealand has is our strong Party base system … Continue reading Myth Busting The Housing Accord
The Manukau Presentation
The Manukau as the Second CBD of Auckland Presentation Yesterday I gave my presentation to the Auckland Plan Committee on ‘Manukau as the Second CBD of Auckland.’ I … Continue reading The Manukau Presentation
Record Breaking Month
Latest NZ Blog Rankings Out
April has been a flat tact month (even with Easter and ANZAC Day in the mix) for BR:AKL with a new record set in visitors, page views, and ranking on the Open Parachute NZ Blog Rankings. Lets take a look:
April ’13 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking
| 55 | Ben Ross: Auckland | 3245 | 5639 |
Virtually a 100% jump on the March figures (compounded by me being in Australia at that time).
The Unitary Plan is sure generating feedback and reading as the extensive BR:AKL commentary continues with two highlights coming up this month: the May 2nd presentation to the Orakei Local Board on Special Character Zones, and the May 14 Auckland Plan Committee presentation – challenging the planning thinking behind Auckland as well as seeing Manukau as the second CBD.
Again a massive thank you to all the readers, the commenters, and the feedback via email and social media. Without you this blog would not be possible
To a very busy May ahead as the first round of Unitary Plan feedback draws to a close – at the end of the month
BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND
BR:AKL: Bring Well Managed Progress
The Unitary Plan: Bringing Change
Auckland: 2013 – OUR CITY, OUR CALL
Employment Centres – INDUSTRY
Need to think of Employment Centres Manukau is a Major One And I Can Think of Countless others that are not the CBD OUR INDUSTRIAL CENTRES being … Continue reading Employment Centres – INDUSTRY
Shift Over Auckland Council
Time For the Private Sector to get involved With The Clunker Disclaimer: I haven’t had to put one of these in here but in this case I do. … Continue reading Shift Over Auckland Council
Challenge Laid Down To Oppositional Councillors
The Challenge is Laid Who Will Step Up From the Opposition? Answer Thus Far – NO ONE! This morning I threw down a challenge to the oppositional … Continue reading Challenge Laid Down To Oppositional Councillors
Auckland Transport Needs Help
Help Required A statement from BR:AKL on the Auckland Transport‘s March 27 Board Meeting: Statement on Auckland’s Transport Ben Ross Ben Ross : Auckland (BR:AKL) April 2013 … Continue reading Auckland Transport Needs Help
Rail Patronage Below 10 Million
STOP PRESS: Auckland‘s Rail Patronage Below 10 Million
Just in from Auckland Transport. I have just scoured the latest Auckland Transport Patronage Figures for ‘as-of’ February 2013 especially for rail.
There was a time two years ago when I was side by side with the mayor while working for Veolia Transport Auckland feeling proud and delighted with the Mayor that we had hit our 10 millionth rail passenger marking a new age for Auckland’s rail network. There was even cake and a photo of the occasion somewhere too.
However I read the latest rail patronage figures this evening released by AT at their website. You can see the figures in the embed below but I bring your attention to page ten of twenty-seven – the rail figures which stand at 9,996,066 today. A slippage from the 10,900,000 peak in August 2012 to now just under 10 million.
I wonder what AT will trot out on Wednesday at that meeting with now basically half the city alerted after the figures went around Twitter and Facebook…
That Statistics Report:
And as Patrick Reynolds on Twitter said:
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@BenRoss_AKL some crazy fare dodging going on because of generous gating and policing processes.#akrail
Ben Ross @BenRoss_AKL10m
@pv_reynolds you said it not me. I gather fare dodging is at 16-28%
Panic stations any one?
February Blog Rankings Out
BR:AKL Continues Improvement in Ranks
Open Parachute has released their February 2013 New Zealand Blog Rankings. You can find the complete list over at “February ’13 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking” which is compiled by Open Parachute at the beginning of a new month.
This is where BR:AKL is for February 2013:
| 73 | Ben Ross: Auckland | 1987 | 3040 |
Checking back through Sitemeter February was the blog’s third best month with growth tracking well since December. This month I will be in Australia (Sydney and Brisbane) for two weeks so there will be slight interruption in commentary (plenty of holiday snaps will be uploaded however 😀 ) in Auckland issues as well as me missing the launch of the draft Unitary Plan. However as we draw closer to the elections at the end of the year BR:AKL will be for sure keeping an eye on candidates seeking our votes. Work on BR:AKL projects like the Alternative Unitary Plan, and Southern Auckland Future Growth plans will also continue; as well as keeping Auckland Transport “honest” and pushing for feedback on Sky-Path.
So a big shout out and thanks to all the readers (and commenters) at BR:AKL. Without you the blog would not be possible
Oh and I do not run the blog out of a basement as Open Parachute’s picture would suggest 😛 . The main computer is actually in the living room where I can survey the entire property as well as having the phone and tablet at hand when out in the field. However changing the world – well yeah, one more step at a time 😀
BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND
Shining The Light – To a Better Papakura (OUR home)
AND
To a Better Auckland – (OUR City)
Auckland 2013: YOUR CITY – YOUR CALL
From Sitemeter
Note: Please check Open Parachute’s FAQ section on discrepancies between the above figures and the figures in their automated table
Talking Southern Auckland 