This year is really flying by and somehow, it’s October and school holiday time again! The rest of this week is expected to be dry across the North Island, which will be welcome news to anyone with children heading away or just having a staycation.
Auckland remains at Alert Level 2 (with the rest of the country at Alert Level 1) until the situation is next reviewed by Cabinet on Monday 5th October with any changes coming into effect at 11.59pm on Wednesday 7th October.
Since last week, Aucklanders have been able to gather in groups of up to 100 people. This was good timing for our local Orakei (the suburb) Community Associations public meeting. I was able to get them two key speakers, the CEO of Kainga Ora (Housing NZ) and the CEO of Auckland Transport. Both spoke on local investment in our Ward. Two key positive take outs from that meeting:
Re Social Housing development- The large Breynton Place development will be relooked at thanks to input from the meeting. Kainga Ora (Housing NZ) will come back and present revised plans before Christmas( I’ll keep you posted re that)
The Tamaki Drive works on the causeway which include road raising, a separated cycle path and a separated pedestrian path will have 4 vehicle lanes when completed ( I know it doesn’t look like it now, but AT’s CEO confirmed it)
Aucklanders have responded well to restrictions & reduced their water usage significantly exceeding the 5% savings expected. Current forecasts for spring have gone from 'average to drier' as opposed to 'drier' and a wetter than usual Jan/Feb2021 and of course we now have extra water supply from the Waikato River.
Last week we approved phased amendments to the stage one water restrictions, starting with commercial use from 12 October. These changes will allow commercial entities to use a hose outdoors as long as it is handheld and has a trigger nozzle. I tried to get residential restrictions lifted to match this, and if that usage went too high put the ban back...but at least trial it. Sadly, I lost that vote. However, I did get confirmation that residential restrictions will be looked at again at the end of November.
In May, Auckland Transport opened consultation on a proposal to install new pedestrian islands and relocate existing school bus stops on College Road, St Johns. After taking on board the community feedback recieved, changes to the original proposal have now been finalised and the work will be carried out within the first half of 2021. Primarily, the feedback received was around accidents occurring on College Road and prioritising the safety of pedestrians crossing the road. There were some concerns about loss of parking and as such, the proposed broken yellow lines on the north-eastern side of the road will be shortened to allow 2 extra parking spaces. Parking is also allowed in the bus stop box on College Road outside of the school bus stop operating times. There will also be a reduction in the edge lane marking on the western side of College Road near the St Johns Road/College Road roundabout to encourage people to park further away from the intersection.
Changes confirmed for College Road, St Johns:
- Install a new pedestrian island (a raised platform in the middle of a road that makes it safer to cross a road by breaking up the journey) with side islands, tactile pavers (yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to the crossing and safely cross the road), road markings and signage at 51 College Road, St Johns.
- Install a new pedestrian island with tactile pavers, new kerb extensions and footpath, road markings and signage at the intersection of Swainston Road and College Road, St Johns.
-Install a new flush median along College Road and shorten the multilane section of College Road by approximately 120 metres.
- Relocate 2 existing school bus stops (outside 51 College Road and 26 College Road) with new road markings and signage.
- Install new broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on Swainston Road to provide greater visibility between pedestrians and approaching vehicles.
I’ve had an update from Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) regarding 32-34 Sudeley Street, Ōrākei. Back in January of this year, they were granted a resource consent to develop their land and I can now confirm that work will soon be taking place The redevelopment of these properties will see two old homes replaced with 12 modern homes: 2 three-bedroom and 9 two-bedroom. For more information on the Auckland Housing Programme, and details on the types of housing being built, please visit their website.
A few weeks ago I mentioned we were seeking your views on regional parks as part of a review of the Regional Parks Management Plan. This consultation has been extended by two weeks, to provide people with more opportunity to have their say and will now close at midnight on Monday 26 October 2020 (Labour Day). Have a look at the website to read a copy of the current plan; a discussion paper on the current parks and new parks which will be introduced in the updated plan; and to give your feedback via an interactive survey and/or an online suggestions board.
Below are some Auckland Heritage Festival events taking place in the Ōrākei Ward over the next 2 weeks:
A stroll with a parasol: a walk with a talk
Tuesdays and Thursdays between 29 September-8 October
Tue and Thu: 10am-12pm
St Heliers Community Library
32 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers
The great feast of Remuera
Friday 2 October, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Remuera Library
429 Remuera Road, Remuera
Newmarket: three dynamic and diverse stories
Tuesday 6 October, 11am-12:15pm
Event Cinemas Boutique Library
Westfield Newmarket, Broadway, Newmarket
Discover Dove-Myer Robinson Park and Taurarua/Judges Bay
Friday 9 October, 10am-12pm
Dove Myer Robinson Park (Parnell Rose Gardens) - main entrance
Gladstone Road, Parnell
Heritage walk around Dove-Myer Robinson Park led by historian John Adam
Saturday 10 October, 2pm-3pm
Cnr Gladstone and Judges Bay roads, Parnell
Auckland's geoheritage walks: Maungarei/Mt Wellington volcano
Sunday 11 October, 10am-12pm
Car park at the end of Gollan Road
37 Gollan Road, Mt Wellington
Purewa Cemetery tour: famous and infamous early Aucklanders
Sunday 11 October, 10am-3pm
St John's Lounge, Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium
4A Parsons Road, Meadowbank
The Battle of Passchendaele: annual commemoration
Sunday 11 October, 11am-12pm
World War I Hall of Memories, Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland Domain, Parnell
Exploring sacred spaces: Holy Trinity Cathedral
Sunday 11 October, 2pm-4pm
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Cnr St Stephens Avenue and Parnell Road, Parnell
And finally, Kohimarama School are searching for all past students, staff, friends and associates ahead of their Centennial celebration next year. Sign up for more information at www.kohimarama.school.nz or email centennial@kohimaramara.school.nz
As always, I’m always available to answer any Council questions or queries.
Desley