Council Workplan
Council have signed off its workplan for the year beginning July 1,2019 and its good news for our Orakei Ward. In fact I heard somebody say it was” groundbreaking success for Orakei”. Never before has the Orakei Ward had three major, flagship council projects in motion at one time.
There is money in this years budget for the Gowing Drive to Selwyn College link into to the Orakei Shared path which has been the Orakei Local Boards priority budget this term.
All local Boards put up one main project they wanted funded in the next ten years. Some have to wait a few years but Orakei has been prioritized for this year. This year will also see further investment into Colin Maiden Park with 2x new hockey turfs which are much needed and align to the Colin Maiden Park Masterplan that I know many of you inputted into when I was local board chair. Parnell Baths upgrade ( remember Parnell is now in the Orakei Ward ) has had their upgrade but the funding was split over two years. Orakei Local Board has also had its local transport capital fund doubled to enable it to make even more decisions on Transport projects you want to see delivered and extra extra transport budget to help deliver specific projects to reduce death and serious injury accidents in the Ward.
Church Rates
You will remember Council staff had proposed significant rates increases for religious institutions without any political direction and with, in some cases, only 2 weeks notice. Some churches impacted had their rates increase upwards of $20,000. I believed this was wrong and we should consult Aucklanders as to their views before accepting that these Council staff suggested rate increases were acceptable. My colleagues agreed with me. Consultation was done and the response from our Orakei Ward matched that of the response of wider Auckland that we should have non-rating of religious use properties. As always I voted to support this based on the response from those living in the Orakei Ward.
Auckland Transport's Multiple pedestrian crossings and ‘safety projects’ in Mission Bay and St Heliers
I am pleased to advise (although I’m sure you know) that AT’s suggested plans for both these areas are off the table. A working group has been set up in both Mission bay and St Heliers with members consisting of those from the relative residents associations, business associations, local board and myself. The Mission bay group has met 2x and St Heliers will have its first meeting this month. The very first job is to check that there is indeed evidence to support investment, then look at what, if any, improvements could happen and take these back to the community for input. If you have any ideas I strongly suggest you contact one of the two residents associations or myself.
Mission Bay/Kohimarama Residents Assoc chair@missionbaykohi.org.nz
St Heliers/Glendowie Residents Assoc chair@stheliers.org.nz
Update on Tamaki Drive
Many of you may be wondering why we have had multiple road cones along Tamaki Drive.
Built in the depression Tamaki Drive has really fared pretty well considering its age, but water has been creeping under the seal and causing damage.
In June, Auckland Transport undertook work on Tamaki drive’s curbs and channels in preparation for future road resealing. Problems with Tamaki drive curbs and channels ranged from: curbs that had been pushed down; sections of channel that were broken (and therefore no longer keeping water from under the road); to channels that were not draining properly due to age related level problems.
Functioning curb and channel systems are crucial to keep water out from under the road pavement. They also deliver water to the storm water system, via the catch pits in the road helping to prevent flooding.
Auckland Transport are also going to resurface the footpath on the seaward side prior to resealing of Tamaki Drive. However they will first finish the upgrading of the catch pits over the next two weeks. The footpath will then be surfaced and re-levelled, hopefully by early August, followed by road resealing which will get underway around August – September. All will be completed in time for the upcoming summer season ( so I’m told) Thank you for your patience while work is in progress.
Rats
Native plants don’t fruit every year but when conditions are right the fruit all at once. This gives rats a wonderful food source. Add to this a long warm summer and a mild autumn and you get rats breeding more prolifically than usual. In St Heliers we have seen a number of large rat holes appear beside the wooden board walk and behind some park benches at the eastern end of the beach. Council is doing a number of things to help address the rat problem. We have added two new rubbish bins that do not have open tops so any rubbish in them, especially food scraps, are not accessible to the rats. We have added a number of bait stations which we start by tempting rats to know there is always food there and then that food is gradually swapped for poison. Rats take the poison back below ground and to put it simply, go to sleep and don’t wake up. The St Heliers Business Assoc. have also been a great help by encouraging retailers to secure their rubbish extra tightly when they put it out and requesting Council to collect the rubbish in the evening as opposed to first thing in the morning. Rats feed at night. But you can help too. The Eastern Bays Songbird project have been a huge help giving out rat traps to residents. I have one. They are very easy to set with peanut butter and please don’t panic if you catch one. They come and dispose of it if needed!!
You can get your rat trap at the next St Heliers Market day on July 27 starting at 10 am in St Heliers Village.
Auckland’s Water shortage
While it may seem that we have recently been treated to dam-replenishing rainfall, the water shortage is unfortunately not expected to get better within the month.
We’ve had six months of historically low rainfall and our water storage is sitting at just below 60 per of capacity – Well below the historic average of 84 per cent for this time of year.
This is why Watercare has asked Aucklander’s to do their bit to conserve water. If we continue on as normal, Auckland may face specific restrictions later in the year – Right when we’d prefer to be living it up in the summer sun and cooling off with plenty of fresh water.
So, try to be water wise this winter by taking shorter showers, washing only full loads of laundry and being mindful of your usage.
Mission Bay Development (de Fontain site)
Hearings start on this 30 July and go through to August 6. The Mission Bay Residents Assoc. will be presenting at this hearing arguing that the proposed development is not consistent with the objectives and policies of the Unitary Plan. This view is shared by the OLB who will also be presenting (noting by legislation they are the elected arm of Council who are asked opinion- not councillors).
What to have your say on
Hobson Bay Walkway – potential extension from Wilsons Beach to Shore Rd
About the Hobson Bay walkway - Wilson's Beach to Shore Road Reserve
Have your say on the proposed Hobson Bay walkway from Wilson's Beach to Shore Road Reserve.
Climate Change Actions – The recent vote on Auckland declaring a Climate Emergency meant nothing really.
The decision came with no financial or legal implications. This is YOUR chance to have your say on what you think and the actions suggested.
About Auckland's Climate Action Framework
Have your say on the Auckland Climate Action Framework which will coordinate our efforts to reduce emissions and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Finally, for those living/working and visiting Parnell, Auckland Transport are consulting on a proposed Residential Parking Zone for Parnell East and some safety improvements in the same area