It’s been a very, very long 107 days, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. Many of you have written to me saying the traffic light system is confusing, so I thought I’d give a quick summary of what ‘Red’ means. For Council, it means that this Friday our Council gyms, group fitness classes and recreation centres will be back up and running, open to those with COVID Vaccination Passes. Our pools need a few more days to be recommissioned and for the summer lifeguards to be inducted, so they won’t open until 6 December. Beyond Council services, hospitality will open up on Friday, with vaccine passes, 1m distancing and capacity limits in place. I’ve booked in for dinner at a local restaurant on Friday night and can’t wait! Faith-based gatherings, club functions and sports can also go ahead at Red, also. For many of these activities however, vaccinations play an essential role in keeping everyone safe. Without a vaccine pass, you are much more limited. Please check the Covid website if you are unsure about any specific ‘rule’. If it’s been 6 months or more since you’ve had your second jab, you can have a booster shot. These will be available at many locations, but I know there will be a vaccination bus operating up at the Ngāti Whātua Marae on Kupe St 8.30am and 3pm this Saturday, 4 December.
In other major news, Auckland Council will be consulting with Aucklanders on Three Waters Reform from 3 to 19 December and asking for feedback on the governance, representative and accountability arrangements of the new entities. You’ll recall from previous newsletters that I made a commitment to ensure consultation was included in our approach when we finalized our feedback to central government back in September, and I am delivering on that. Not only do I want to hear your views on Three Waters, but understanding the views of Aucklanders will be critical in informing the Mayor’s input, on behalf of Auckland Council, into the working group that will be addressing some of the issues that have been raised by councils around the country. You can register for one of the webinars and read all the detail on the Have Your Say website.
In local news, the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path has been progressing well over the past couple of months and I’m looking forward to celebrating the opening of Section 2 in the new year. The largest boardwalk through the Pourewa Valley is 90% complete, and as are the two smaller ones at Tahapa Reserve East and West. The concrete path near the Meadowbank Train Station is also nearing completion. Coming up, the team will be doing the finishing touches on the rail and gully bridge and the boardwalks, and the section from the gully bridge to Kohimarama Road will be the main focus in the coming months. Waka Kotahi have made a great flyover video of the progress available to view here.
Meanwhile, AT are consulting on the links to the Glen Innes cycleways. They are seeking your feedback on proposed layout changes at Line Road, Stonefields Ave, Morrin Rd, Taniwha Street and Merton Road. It’s really important that they get this right, so be sure to have a look at what they are proposing and have your say before 30 January. All the details are available here.
Finally, there’s a free e-waste drop off in Penrose this Saturday, from 9am to 3pm. If you’ve been doing a bit of a clear out at home over lockdown, this is a great opportunity to get rid of your unwanted electronic products. To keep the team safe, they’ll be running it as a drive-through event. Remember to wear a mask and be sure to sign in with your COVID scanner app when you arrive.
I hope you’ll support our local Orakei businesses as much as possible when you’re out doing your Christmas shopping over the next few weeks, they’ve been doing it tough.
As always, stay cautious and keep safe.
Desley