Well Auckland, another week at Alert Level 2.5 down, hopefully not much more to go. Cabinet will next review this on Monday 14th September.
Great work all of you who have taken up mask-wearing. They have taken a bit of getting used to, but it’s the best way we can keep ourselves, and those around us, safe especially in enclosed spaces like buses or lifts. A quick reminder to those of you opting for single-use masks, please dispose of them properly as they are not easily degradable. We’ve had reports from our litter collection teams of masks being left strewn across the city and across our parks and beaches - we can do better than this! Please pop them in the bin and cut the straps if you can, to prevent wildlife getting tangled up in them.
To help everyone use public transport safely and keep their distance from others, Auckland Transport have re-introduced their 30% discount for off-peak travel on buses, trains and ferries (excluding Waiheke) during Alert level 2.5. Travel from 9am to 2.30pm and after 6:30pm from Monday to Friday is considered off-peak. Those with tertiary concession cards will receive a 30% discount rather than their usual 20%. I’d encourage you to travel off-peak if you can, and please remember:
- Wearing a mask is mandatory on all public transport
- Payment is by AT HOP card only at this time - no cash fares
- Entry/exit from buses is by the rear door only to reduce contact between driver and passengers.
Sticking with transport, Auckland Transport have provided an update on the Quay Street Eastbound Lane Closure. From Sunday 13 September, the eastbound lane on Quay Street between Lower Hobson Street and Queens Wharf will be closed until December 2020. I appreciate that this will cause inconveniences for some drivers, but they are doing this to speed up progress on the Downtown Programme which aims to transform the city centre and waterfront into a more people friendly environment.
Although COVID 19 has caused delays, this closure means the work can finish earlier than the planned June 2021. Some advice for drivers is below – pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users will be unaffected. Further details are available on Auckland Transport’s website.
- If driving home from the city centre towards the Eastern Bays, please try and use Customs Street as Quay St east bound lane will be closed
- If driving from the North Shore to the Eastern Bays, continue on the motorway taking the Port exit to avoid going through the city centre
- If driving North, the motorway is a great option
- People travelling into the city from Eastern Bays ( west) on Quay Street will be unaffected.
I’ve also had an update from Kiwirail on their urgent track repair and replacement work. The Eastern Line rail services are suspended for a further two weeks and will now re-open on Monday 21 September. Again, I’m aware this is an inconvenience, but it’s essential that this work is carried out and long-term it will lead to a better rail network. Full details of planned closures and alternative journey options can be found here.
I’ve had a few queries this week from those of constituents understandably concerned about recent media suggesting that councils will be required to scrap planning rules requiring car parks provided for each property in new developments. Central Government’s National Policy Statement – Urban Development (NPS-UD) came into effect on 20th August of this year and required Auckland Council to remove the minimum car parking requirements for development from the Auckland Unitary Plan by 20 February 2022. Until then, the minimum requirements in the Auckland Unitary Plan continue to apply. While I do understand your concerns about this change, it is important to note that after February 2022 land developers can still choose to provide car parks, even if the minimum number required has been removed. The rules can now not be changed unless the government decides to do so. Auckland Council did submit on the draft of this document not with complete success in terms of the matters we sought to change. The next step will be a Planning Committee workshop on Wednesday 30th September at which the wider implications of this policy will be discussed. I will continue to update you on these changes and the implications for Auckland.
Following the disappointing situation regarding dead stingrays in Ōrākei Basin, marine and other scientists, key staff from Auckland Council, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries and Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium met to discuss the likely causes. While it’s not possible to ascertain the cause of death with any certainty, conclusions have been reached on the likely cause. Part of Orakei Basin’s operating protocol is to permit tidal exchange of the Basin for a period of time on a regular fortnightly basis in-part to manage any potential water quality issues. A malfunction to the sluice gates (which control the exchange of water in and out of the basin) was reported on 14th May of this year and, due to lockdown restrictions, took over two months to be fully repaired. This meant that the gates were not operational again until 7th August. During this period the Basin would have received significantly reduced tidal exchange. It was agreed that the 13 deceased stingrays located in the basin were likely occasional visitors rather than residents; were likely in the basin from the period 14 May to 7 August; and likely died in the period immediately following the opening of the sluice gates on 7 August. Whilst it is possible that one or more water quality issues (e.g. wastewater overflows or salinity changes within the Basin) may have contributed to the death of the rays, decomposition of the carcasses prevented any testing of those for contaminants or pathogens and there is no specific water quality evidence in this regard. It is considered possible that the extended period of impoundment of the rays within the Basin may have led to behavioural changes whereby they failed to respond to tidal cues to move to deeper water on a receding tide. As such, it is considered possible that the rays died on the mudflats on the first outgoing tide. It was noted that there have been similar incidences of deaths of rays trapped in intertidal lagoons on an outgoing tide within the region previously, but not specifically at Orakei Basin. All scientists endorsed increased water quality monitoring within the basin to help better understand if poor water quality conditions do occur during periods with limited tidal exchange. It’s always sad to lose sea creatures due to human behaviour and I was very disappointed in council’s initial response. However, all the departments involved in the investigation have had the opportunity to review their procedures and moving forward, can ensure we do much better. Having said that, I sincerely hope there is never a “next time.”
You may spot one of our inorganics trucks over the next few weeks as it’s scheduled to be in parts of the Ōrākei Ward. Every area of Auckland is allocated a week each year for an inorganic collection of up to one cubic metre of inorganic material. There is no charge for this service – it’s included in your rates – but it must be booked in advance at least 8 days before the designated pick-up day for your area. If you missed out this time round there are other options for collection, or from mid-January, you can book a collection for next year. For those in Remuera, collection is scheduled for November - the table and map below show when you must make your booking by. Enter you address here to make your booking and for full details of what can/cannot be collected.
In other waste-related news, this week an electric rubbish truck will be out collecting Waiheke Island's rubbish and recycling. This will be the first fully operational electric rubbish truck in the Auckland region. We hope to have more in the future, but one is a good start in our commitment to assist in reducing carbon emissions.
As Auckland continues to persevere with life at Alert Level 2, businesses such as cinemas are cautiously re-opening, ensuring they do so in a way that keeps customers safe. Both Berkley Theatre in Mission Bay and the Silky Otter in Ōrākei re-opened last week with appropriate social distancing measures in place. Going to the movies is something I really missed during lockdown – have a look at what’s on and plan an evening out without leaving the neighbourhood.
Last week we announced the theme and dates of the Auckland Heritage Festival. Running from 26 September to 11 October and offering more than 100 events, the festival will see Aucklanders 'uncover secrets and stories of Tāmaki Makaurau'. Our festival website goes live on Thursday 10th September – have a look and see what’s planned this year!
Last week I discussed the findings of our recent review of Council Controlled Organisations or CCOs. Since then, the Appointments and Performance Review Committee, of which I am a member, appointed a board to oversee the merger of Regional Facilities Auckland and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development. I’m looking forward to seeing some real cost-saving results from this new CCO and feel optimistic about what this new collaborative approach can achieve for the city. The seven-member board have extensive and diverse experience across the commercial, governance, international business and events fields.
Finally, Auckland Zoo have released some wonderful photos of the twin golden lion tamarins who were born back in July. They are being hand-reared as their mother was unable to produce milk but are both doing well and now weighing around 130grams. They’ve also asked for your help in naming their new Rhino calf. If you have a suggestion, please submit it on the Zoo’s facebook page before 13th September. They’re looking for names with significant meanings, so I don’t think my grandchilds suggestion of Rhiney McRhinoface will be a winner.
Keep smiling, even if its behind your mask.
Desley