Where to for the 2013-2016 Term of Auckland Council This from The Herald was rather telling: Photo / Greg Bowker. Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11139291 That aside this is what we have from … Continue reading Auckland Council Elections – The Proviso
With the election campaign under way for the 2013 Local Elections, existing projects such as the Unitary Plan can get caught up in campaign politicking. Essentially it means projects can get kicked around like a football for political mileage and potentially damage the said project.
I am keeping a very close eye on the Auckland Local Elections not only for the commentary running but also business reasons as well.
When one is advocating on behalf of clients or themselves with a project involving Council – including the Councillors (who are facing elections), an election can throw a spanner in things if not managed properly.
The Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre is one project at the moment and one being watched with the elections now on.
I am aware a certain mayoral candidate is touting as a policy at “developing” Manukau to take pressure off the Isthmus area as the city grows an extra million.
In keeping a very close eye on developments I did see this in the Herald this morning: “Cities need mayoral contests.”
It does cover things I have mentioned before such as one horse races and some policy aspects being touted around.
I also caught this in the comments box which has me on “alert” at the moment for reasons explained in the opening paragraph:
I for one, prefer John Palino’s vision for Auckland. He is the first to publicly espouse the idea of shift the jobs to the people, not the people to the jobs. His vision, and New York experience, would create a more vibrant, livable place.
Build a major commercial complex in Wiri where there is space and suitable terrain. Do the same on the Shore and out west. Save people having to travel into the CBD.
Turn the CBD buildings into mixed use. Make the upper floors into nice apartments for those who do work in the CBD. Imagine commuting by elevator, or just a short walk down the road. It makes much more sense, but then Loopy Lenny and co have never been noted for that have they ??
Yeah I knew that was going to happen when either a project is happening behind the scenes or there is an actual information vacuum out there. Fortunately my reply did get through the Herald’s moderation department:
Westie Bryan
I for one, prefer John Palino’s vision for Auckland. He is the first to publicly espouse the idea of shift the jobs to the people, not the people to the jobs. His vision, and New York experience, would create a more vibrant, livable place. Build a major commercial complex in Wiri where there is space and suitable terrain. Do the same on the Shore and out west. Save people having to travel into the CBD. Turn the CBD buildings into mixed use. Make the upper floors into nice apartments for those who do work in the CBD. Imagine commuting by elevator, or just a short walk down the road. It makes much more sense, but then Loopy Lenny and co have never been noted for that have they ??
Quoting: “Build a major commercial complex in Wiri where there is space and suitable terrain. Do the same on the Shore and out west. Save people having to travel into the CBD.”If one reads the Unitary Plan and keeps an eye towards the Unitary Plan processes and social media those aspects you mention are already under way. There is already a major commercial complex out south – Manukau City Centre waiting to be unleashed in its development. Wiri (the industrial complex) is up for expansion in a plan change to its west.
The west will have the New Lynn and Westgate Metropolitan Centres which will become major mix-use hubs serving their areas. For the Shore we have Takapauna and Albany as Metropolitan Centres, one which could be pushed even further as a “third CBD” in 25 years.
These aspects are already under way independent of the election cycle and candidate whims 😉
Just a case of watch and patience
The above shows there is still information vacuums with the Unitary Plan at the moment. This can make worthwhile projects prone to electioneering currently out there. So a word of caution, just because a candidate has touted it as original policy does not mean it is already under way.
So in regards to #SuperManukau, that work carries out independently and regardless of the electioneering out there. For a #BetterAuckland
You can keep track of the Manukau project via this link: https://voakl.net/category/planning/urban-planning-and-design/manukau/
And yes I (and others as Twitter lights up) am paying attention at the moment thanks to Orsman’s Tweet yesterday on Palino and Transport.
And so Orsman has written his piece about mayoral candidate John Palino and his transport “ambitions” for Auckland. The back part was good as anyone with half a brain attached would know that the current Integrated Transport Program Mayor Len Brown pigeon holed Auckland and Auckland Transport into is an utter joke. How can someone spend $65 billion with a $12 billion funding gap on transport solutions that make congestion worse in 20-30 years? Not very intelligent stuff here – especially as Car Capital City Detroit just went bankrupt this morning.
As for the rest of the article? Well it might either show bad advice or plain laziness to go suss the situation out proper before dropping a comment in the NZ Herald.
The Herald article is somewhat a scatter gun here so I will try to make top and tail of it best I can.
From the NZ Herald
Candidate favours park-and-ride
By Bernard Orsman @BernardOrsman
John Palino wants to take pressure off transport network and make it easier for commuters to leave carsBuilding park-and-ride facilities is the first transport priority for Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino, whose long-term solution is to build satellite centres where people can live, work and play.
Speaking ahead of his campaign launch tomorrow, Mr Palino told the Heraldthat Auckland must make the most out of rail electrification, saying park-and-ride facilities are the quickest, cheapest and most practical way to relieve pressure on the city’s transport network.
…
As I am debating with ATB’s resident socialist Patrick Reynolds, Park and Rides do have their uses. Typically in the outlying stations such as Papakura and Pukekohe where the stations serve a dispersed rural and urban population. While feeder buses and active transport can serve up to a 1.6km radius from the said station, the Park and Ride can serve a catchment 10x the distance which is what rural based commuters would do. So Park and Rides can have their uses.
As for cheapest method mentioned by Palino – err okay?
From the article again
“Let’s stop trying to get people out of their cars completely when it doesn’t suit them, and just make it easier for them to take public transport.
“I will subsidise parking where cost-benefit analysis shows park-and-rides provide a positive impact on the transport network.”
He said park-and-ride facilities might have to be multi-storey and cost between $20,000 and $40,000 per space.
…
That is some expensive parking. I would be inclined to charge Park and Ride users $2-$4 a day and have an option where you could use your AT-HOP card to “tag in and out” of the PnR.
As for making easier to get to the train station; AT is already ahead in that game as they prepare for the first time feeder buses into major stations and bus interchanges. Some new interchanges like Otahuhu are on the cards as well. So it will be easier to get public transport once the new interchanges and feeders are fully working.
“If we are ever to have the city rail project, we’re going to have to get the patronage required to justify spending ratepayer money,” he said.
That line suggests someone has not either done their homework or is in fact being lazy in obtaining the required information. How hard is it to send and email, make a phone call and have a coffee with people in the actual know behind the CRL and growth targets – the people being AT themselves. Oh and not reading the Prime Minister’s speech properly does not help either as he did lay down the challenge.
FFS doing my own reading and coffee sessions with those in the know I discovered that to bring the CRL forward all AT really need to do is show strong growth above a set percentage year in year out towards 2020. If Auckland Transport can do this then we might just see the first dirt sod turned around the 2017-18 mark.
And yes AT are putting in some strong initiatives from 2014 to make that growth happen to the point I can display confidence in them doing it.
And for this from Palino:
• Long term, build new satellite centres.
That is already on its way via the Unitary Plan through the Metropolitan Centres and twin Satellite Towns of Pukekohe and Warkworth. Although in saying that some polishing needs to occur first there before the Unitary Plan becomes operative.
As for Manukau, advances continued to be made there quietly behind the scenes as Auckland’s first Super Metropolitan Centre is drafted then brought into existence.
Coverage of the Local Government Elections 2013 will continue as development happen.
This has just come my way as in Hot Off The Press.
Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino has issued a stern response to Mayor Len Brown in Len’s “decision not to give Aucklanders the final say on what equates to a permanent 30 per cent increase in rates.”
This is in relation to the Mayor blocking Councillor George Wood’s Notice of Motion attempt to get a referendum held on the City Rail Link.
From the NZH on Councillor Wood’s blocked attempt:
Mayor blocks councillor’s bid to put transport funding to public vote
By Mathew Dearnaley; 5:30 AM Tuesday Jun 25, 2013
Mayor Len Brown has blocked a councillor’s bid to put funding for the proposed $2.4 billion central city rail link and other transport projects to a public referendum.
North Shore council member George Wood is “astounded” Mr Brown has rejected a notice of motion he offered for a meeting of the council’s governing body this Thursday.
Mr Wood wanted the council to at least consider the idea of holding a referendum during October’s local body elections, to ask Aucklanders if they supported a proposal to raise an extra $400 million a year by increasing property taxes or imposing tolls on existing as well as new roads.
But he said the Mayor had refused to allow councillors to debate the prop
…
Although Mr Brown indicated last year that options for paying for what is expected to be a $12 billion transport funding gap between now and 2041 could go to a referendum, he is waiting for a final report from a “consensus building” advisory group on how to raise extra cash.
The 17-member group – on which business and union leaders have joined transport campaigners and the Automobile Association – expects to present a funding recommendation to Mr Brown next month.
…
You can read the rest in the Herald
In reply to the Mayor’s decision and transport funding situation this is what Auckland Mayoral Candidate John Palino’s full response was:
I’ll put the local back into local government
“Mayor Brown’s decision not to give Aucklanders the final say on what equates to a permanent 30 per cent increase in rates contradicts the very principle of local government and will further harm Auckland’s critical relationship with Wellington,” says Mayoral candidate John Palino.
“Auckland has massive transport challenges and none greater than finding the investment the city needs. The Consensus Building Group’s investigation into funding Auckland’s transport is a good start to the discussion, but the Mayor proposes that it’s also the end.
“That’s not local democracy, especially when the Consensus Building Group never had central government support and was not allowed to question the key projects driving the need for new taxation.
“The Mayor established the group to consider options for covering a projected $10-15 billion transport funding deficit over the next 30 years. That deficit is made up of the Mayor’s key projects – the $2.8 billion city rail link; the $5 billion additional harbour crossing; and the $2-3 billion AMETI and East-West link project.
“These three projects do not deliver good transport outcomes for Auckland and this shows up in the analysis which shows the transport benefits of these projects to be greatly outweighed by the costs. The return on the AMETI and East-West Link project is still unclear, but the CRL returns 40 cents for each dollar invested and the harbour crossing returns 30 cents.
“In establishing the Consensus group, the Mayor has tried to deflect ongoing and unresolved evidence that his transport programme is flawed, doesn’t return the benefits which would otherwise offset their cost, won’t improve congestion and will require a further $400 million per annum in taxes each and every year forever.
“As Mayor, I won’t be selecting projects as part of my campaign, but I’ll be holding those agencies to account for developing solutions that meet Auckland’s needs – something the Mayor’s programme doesn’t do.
“If we can get a transport programme which delivers the quality of life Aucklander’s demand, then I’ll look at funding options alongside and not independent of central government. We have to work together if we’re going to get positive outcomes.
“And most of all, I’ll give you the final say on whether you think such a significant proposal will help deliver the city you want to live in,” says Mr Palino.
…
Thoughts and comments folks? We are counting down to the 2013 Local Government elections and we will be seeing a lot more of this. Post your comments below but, remember play the ball NOT the person!
[Note from Admin] stand by for an update in regards to the poll results. Awaiting word on whether they will be released or not.
With October the month we cast our ballot papers on the 2013 Local Elections where get to vote in (and out) mayors, councillors, Local Board members and District Health Board members.
In Auckland this will be our second election as a Super City and already we have people squaring off for Ward Council seats as well as for the mayoral chains. As I mentioned yesterday in the run up post: “Does the Right Wing offer any serious alternatives or is it photo opportunities with the Prime Minister and which ever Minister trundled along, and angry press releases dumped into Scoop that sounds like a pile of Shrilling.”
Lets take a look shall we in brief at a mayoral candidate and two would-bes vying for your councillor vote.
For at the snippet piece on centre-right mayoral candidate John Palino from the Herald on Sunday.
From the HoS
Helpful Key on side – Palino
5:30 AM Sunday Jun 23, 2013
EXPANDAuckland mayoral candidate John Palino with Prime Minister John Key at a breakfast held by MP Simon O’Connor.Super City mayoral candidate John Palino says he has the backing of Prime Minister John Key.
He has been photographed with Key at least three times this month, including twice this week. The centre-right candidate told the Herald on Sunday he believed the Nats had made “subconsciously, a tick for John Palino”.
“They don’t come out and say, ‘We support people’ … It’s how they help you out.” A Key spokeswoman said the party had not officially endorsed a candidate. “The decision on the mayoralty is one for the people of Auckland.”
Palino said he had also met people from the Labour Party, including Mangere MP Su’a William Sio, and was waiting to hear back from party leader David Shearer.
…
The article is also on page 12 of the hard copy if one wishes to look there.
Okay the poll numbers were not released and seems people are staying mum on them, despite the fact they should have been released to jolt the city and the MSM somewhat into paying attention.
If one is also wondering that yes I have met John Palino multiple times since he announced his tilt for mayoralty sussing out what John stands for and what he would bring to the table if he wins the mayoral chains off Len. But, I remind readers and the city that we do live in a liberal democracy and I can choose who I meet with at my leisure with those either vying for my vote or my business as a consultancy. Such as the nature of both free enterprise and democracy that we live in this city.
I am still asking for John to see if he would like to write a 1,200 word guest post for Talking Auckland in giving a summary of what he would bring to the city. The same invitation will also be sent to Len Brown as well.
As for my view on John; nice enough character and likeable in the times we have met thus far. Knowing his policy narratives that he is going to bring to the table for the city I would say that they are good policies that span both the left/right wing spectrum, AND the liberal/conservative spectrum as well.
However, I do serve a warning to our mayoral candidate(s); do not fall into the Unitary Plan and housing situation trap the central government has fallen into (especially around the Housing Accord). Our central government only sees the housing issue in Auckland in a one dimension prism (that is supply, supply, supply). There is more than just whacking some more houses in some out-of-the-way locations (as the Accord would do via the Special Housing Area provisions) to get housing affordability restored. You must see the problem in a three-dimensional prism and understand that the issue is at this point and time a three if not four prong issue. Those prongs being:
Okay so I added a fifth one but, two of those prongs can not be influences by council – only central government.
For a mayor to lead his or her Council in getting the housing situation under control, you MUST attack prongs; 1, 3 and 4 simultaneously at the same time. To just attack just prong number one which is all central government knows how to do (to show its lack of truth depth of understanding) is putting you on the fast track for either a comprehensive debunking in the (social) media and subsequent beating in the upcoming election or the next election if you do get in. This message also applies to any right-wing councillor candidate standing as well (to be commented on soon). So consider this a warning as not only are the blogs paying attention but, but the city is as well…
Oh and here is a hint here, the Unitary Plan (having read the document front to back) is an actual enabling document that goes some way in liberalising out our planning restrictions. It goes part of the way to the methodology I submitted on in the Auckland Plan but, not quite there yet (in handing over to the Local Board most planning oversight). For more check my submissions where the Semi-Liberal Plan District is outlined!
I have noticed two potential candidates of the right wishing to stand for Council. One is standing in the Waitakere area (so a challenge to the Deputy Mayor) and the other in retiring Councillor Richard Northey‘s area of Maungakiekie-Tāmaki.
Starting with Waitakere lets take a quick look at Facebook.
Cooper for Council – for the ward seat of Waitakere. Essentially a direct challenge to both Sandra Coney and more to the point our Deputy Mayor – Penny Hulse.
I have not seen policy narratives come from Ms Cooper yet but seriously, what is it with centre right oppositional candidates all vying for photos with the Prime Minister and at times a Minister. It makes the quote from the Prime Minister’s Office (“A Key spokeswoman said the party had not officially endorsed a candidate. “The decision on the mayoralty is one for the people of Auckland.”) somewhat hollow.
It also gives the strong inclination that National (and in part the government) from behind the scenes is trying to seek influence post October 12. Yep Labour and the Greens officially back candidates and at least they tell the city that. But, National never has and always prefers to lurk behind the scenes out of the public eye. To me that is indication the government wanting direct influence on and over the Council post October 12…
It is also something to watch more closely than those of Labour/Green backing. As I said at least you know the sway of those candidates or incumbents and what the central party machine is inclined to do. That allows the voter to make an informed vote on the grounds of ‘if I vote for this Labour backed candidate” I know both the central party machine is implied and will have “influence” over policy direction.’
Where as with National lurking (although these photo ops with the PM seem to be giving things away) in the background, you don’t know up front what the centre-right candidate is really standing for or how much influence is being held over them by the central party apparatus. No informed vote can be truly made if one does not have all the facts front right and centre.
So one will be keeping an eye on the centre-right candidates closely as we approach October 12. Also this lurking crap by National is a key reason of me being naturally suspicious of my own Party – to which I will do a post on later).
As for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki contest, this came to my attention because of a press release mentioned into Twitter:
Another ignorant NIMBY by the sounds of this, please don’t vote for her. Go Richard Northey! #unitaryplan http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1306/S00273/krum-promises-energy-and-a-contest-of-ideas.htm …
@LouisOutlook I thought Northey was retiring at the end of this term. As for Ms Krum I have seen that name somewhere before
@BenRoss_AKL @louisoutlook Well in that case we will have to see who else will stand.
@LouisOutlook that is where I have seen her name; The national party
As yes I believe I have met Ms Krum at a National Party conference either last year or the year before. Also probably why after reading the press release from Ms Krum I was a little bit surprised at the releases quality – POOR quality.
I have read the press release front and back just to make sure I was reading it correctly. For Ms Krum unfortunately Louis was right and (not shown here) ATB also being correct in that fact Ms Krum showed no alternatives to what is in the UP. So in essence a shrilling exercise from a centre-right candidate who in all honestly should have known much MUCH better.
Dropping shrilling or rather dog whistling press releases as a candidate for the council elections – especially as a centre right candidate with whatever links to National about the Unitary Plan is utterly dumb! Yes DUMB!
The Unitary Plan is a hot topic button issue at the moment and one being kept a very close eye on by myself, Auckland Transport Blog and the MSM (usually after both of the blogs have run a debunking exercise). Any shrilling by the centre right and particular journalists on the UP was heavily debunked very quickly. Just ask Orsman and Auckland 2040 in the levels of debunking from all sorts of media angles and publications. Auckland 2040 and myself are defrosting the relations between each other but, it shows what happens when shrilling and misinformation is pumped out and seized upon.
I especially do not take lightly to shrilling exercises against the Unitary Plan as Auckland is my city and my home and both which I take an extreme amount of pride in. Thus heavy debunking will be run if spotted!
Two fold:
First: National stop the lurking behind the scenes make crystal clear your intentions for Council and the City. Labour least have the balls to put it out there front right and centre with their candidates and policy influence for which the voter is aware of an makes their choices! How about manning up and throwing your official weight behind candidates and bring the playing field back into balance. The City DETESTS lurkers (and most likely a reason why C&R got thumped in the last election).
Second: Why I should tell this to the Centre-Right I be damned if I know, But, cut the shrilling and put something decent on the table. At least (although different) Auckland 2040 put up a credible alternative to the Unitary Plan for virtually everyone to consider. We as a city knew where they were playing, what they were against and what they wanted. We might have agreed or disagreed but we knew! Those who shrill and put no actual credible alternative forward do not deserve our attention nor vote (apart from debunking exercises).
You are all being watched (and by the comments starting to come through that point is ringing true)…
I just caught this across Facebook just now and is worth a share
Must have been a birthday present for John because we can confirm a comprehensive poll was recently completed which showed John Palino very favourably in a two horse race vs. Len Brown! #johnpalinoformayor
Now I have not seen the numbers yet personally (and may never will) but, I did comment this in return: “So where the MSM and Right Wing failed the rest of the city and this particular individual already knew. GAME ON!”
I had already warned both the Main Stream Media and Right Wing about their lack of “interest” and dismissive approach against those who are credible in standing again Len. It seems the city thinks differently and shows how offside our MSM and Right Wing are (that is Right Wing not the Centre Right Wing (two very different groups)). Offside owing to (and as I have mentioned before) to their last gasp clutching of the old system that dominated the old Auckland City Council arena for so many decades – yet has little relevance out in the South, West and even North.
So it is game on folks for Mayor. You have two credible choices to make now in which direction you wish YOUR city – YOUR home to go. John Palino or Len Brown
As we approach October 12 – the Local Government Elections where we vote for Mayor, Councillors, Local Board members and the District Health Boards; Talking Auckland will be keeping an eye on the run up to the day and providing commentary of the hot button issues.
Today we take our first look at mayoral candidate competing again the incumbent Len Brown; John Palino.
First his new networking card that has come off the printers and is now doing the rounds:
You can see on the orange (not red folks) back some basic policy narratives coming into play. Now I did quip when someone asked about hard policy that you can not fit a 7,000 page Unitary Plan style manifesto onto a business card. But, you can start getting people to talk and the card has already done that – so success there.
Let’s take a look at that talking point:
As we move into the formal campaign period starting July 12 followed by the six week “final” campaign “proper” the heavy policy stuff will come out for people to run over with their fine tooth combs. But right now it is the introductions, the how are you, creating talking points and then talking to the people – the voters. The people or as I like to say our 1.5 million “experts” all have something to say and that something to say on how the feel about their city, their home. And from that you get an insight into what they want to see for a Better Auckland – A Better Home.
I have asked John for a short sharp “introduction” piece of himself and what he wants to bring if he is elected as Mayor of Auckland. Mayor Len Brown will also be “asked” as for an introduction piece as well. In a way it will also be telling if I get both introductions as it will also tell who does care for the little people, the individuals and citizens of Auckland.
As we also approach October 12 I will shine the light onto those seeking the Ward Council vote. As it is our Councillors that have the power either supporting or opposing the Mayor’s policy direction.
In the meantime Talking Auckland wants to know what you would like to see for a Better Auckland. Whether it be general or specific share your thoughts in the comment box below. If you are not quite sure on a talking point then check John’s talking points above and take it from there. We have 1.5 million people living in Auckland thus 1.5 million experts.
Just remember for comments to be tactful and respectful. Sometimes agreeing to disagree is the best choice and shows a greater level of maturity between the two participants.
Brown or Palino Centre Left or Centre/Centre Right Well with the Unitary Plan “on hold” for the moment as we await outcomes of some workshops proceeding formal notification later … Continue reading To the Local Elections 2013
A Three Prong Piece on the Unitary Plan While I have the paper edition of the Herald landing in my letter box for the next four weeks I might … Continue reading The Unitary Plan – Some Opinions
Talking Southern Auckland 