It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I hope you’ve been able to make the most of the freedoms at ‘red’ over the past few weeks, and that you’re looking forward to a bit of a break as much as I am.
There’s no denying that 2021 has been a really tough year. It wasn’t all bad though, so to wrap up for the year, I thought I’d give you a ’12 Days of Christmas’ summary of some of the things that made 2021 great.
TWELVE months of prudent financial management and delivering for Orakei
Our 10-year budget, signed off in June, saw some great wins for the Orakei ward. Some of the highlights include nearly $3 million for upgrades at Colin Maiden Park, funding for the north-south links of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path (finally!), and a $3 million budget for the Orakei Local Board to fund local transport improvements.
Our 2020/21 financial year saw Watercare deliver $1 billion of new water infrastructure, and AT delivered $1.1 billion in new roads and public transport infrastructure. We had a record level of savings ($126 million in just one year), and we continue to seek efficiencies. We have locked in a further $90 million of ongoing savings each year for the next ten years. Raising in excess of $1 billion in green bonds was also a major milestone.
Then came our longest ever Alert Level 4 lockdown, followed by an even longer stretch at Level 3, and the financial impacts have certainly been deep, wide, and ongoing. This may well be our most difficult phase yet, with some tough decisions to be made in the new year, but I know that the prudent decisions we made for our Emergency Budget in 2020 meant that we’ve been able to weather the storm so far and will continue to do so. I hope you’ll make a submission and have your say when our 2022/23 budget goes out for consultation in the new year.
ELEVEN percent reduction in AT’s greenhouse gas emissions
Last month, we bought 152 electric buses to replace some of the older buses in our fleet. This is expected to reduce Auckland Transport’s greenhouse gas emissions by 11% each year. Transport emissions are a big part of our reduction targets, so this is a big win.
TEN Auckland dams, full!
As of this week, our dams are sitting at 99%. It wasn’t all that long ago that we were at 43% after a long drought, so this is really wonderful news. Watercare has done lot of work to ensure Auckland’s water supply is resilient going forward, and all restrictions were lifted back in October. Water use has increased, but by less than expected for this time of year, which suggests that Aucklanders are maintaining some of the water saving habits we picked up during the drought.
The lifting of restrictions of course also meant our iconic Mission Bay Fountain could be switched back on, and it’s been great seeing it ‘playing’ again.
NINE speeches
The last few months in lockdown made for a quieter year on the events front, but I still managed to fit in nine speeches at various events ranging from a CAANZ (chartered accountants) event in Parnell, to various local AGMs and meetings of our local service clubs. Seeing what our wonderful local community groups have been up to is one of my favourite parts of my role as ward councillor. We have so many amazing people in Orakei who are committed to serving our community and making a difference, and despite all the challenges, this year has been no exception.
EIGHT months not in lockdown
There’s no denying that the past four months have been overshadowed by lockdown, but it’s also important to reflect on that blissful time we had at Alert Level 1! Who could forget the America’s Cup? Not to mention the historic Six60 concert at Eden Park back in April, Jersey Boys at the Civic and Lion King at Spark Arena.
It has been fantastic seeing our hospitality sector open back up these last few weeks, and here’s hoping that our arts and culture sector can thrive again in 2022. Be sure to register for Auckland Unlimited’s Explore Tamaki Makaurau voucher programme (central government funded) for the chance to receive a $50 (individual) or $100 (family) voucher to experience the best of what Auckland has to offer this summer.
SEVEN kilometers of shared path
The much-anticipated Glenn Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path has been progressing well, and we’re very much looking forward to opening Section 2 in the new year. This path is such an important link in our growing network of active transport connections throughout the city.
The rail bridge, gully bridge and boardwalks through Pourewa Valley and Tahapa Reserve are now largely completed, and when work starts up again in the new year, the team will be installing handrails, lighting on the bridge structures and boardwalks, and completing the concrete path from the gully bridge to Kohimarama Road. It will also be full steam ahead on the John Rymer Place connection. Waka Kotahi have put together a great progress video here. It’s definitely worth having a look – it’s been quite the transformation!
SIX mussel beds in Okahu Bay
Last month, 60 tonnes of mussels were deposited into Okahu Bay, across 6 different beds (3 shell and 3 sediment) as part of the Okahu Bay Restoration Project, led in partnership with Ngati Whatua Orakei. They are working to build back biodiversity and improve the water quality in the bay.
This follows the completion of the Okahu Bay stormwater network separation project back in September, which has significantly reduced wet weather wastewater overflows into the bay. It was a $16 million investment in partnership with Ngati Whatua Orakei, resulting in 200 private properties having their drainage systems separated to connect 3.4km of newly installed public stormwater pipeline. We have a long way to go with water quality in the Eastern Bays, but this was certainly a success worth celebrating.
FIFTH best Christmas display in the world
Auckland’s very own Smith & Caughey’s Christmas window display in Queen Street was rated fifth best in the world this year, right up there with Macy’s in New York City and Selfridges in London. I’ve always loved the Smith & Caughey’s displays, but this year’s display is truly something special. Based on The Fairies Night Before Christmas, a Kiwi take on The Night Before Christmas, the displays depict a forest fairy community working together under the shade of Pohutukawa trees. Definitely worth stopping by if you haven’t had a chance yet.
FOUR City Rail Link stations
The City Rail Link is Auckland’s first underground rail line and the largest transport infrastructure project ever to be undertaken in New Zealand. The CRL team celebrated the connection of the new Aotea Station to tunnels running from Britomart just earlier this month, and at the southern end of the station, final preparations are underway to welcome the project’s Tunnel Boring Machine which started its journey at the Mt Eden site back in May.
As with everything else, Covid has had a significant impact on the project, but it is forecasted to be completed in late 2024.
The Western line will be closed from Boxing Day through to 23 January, allowing for accelerated work at the Mt Eden site with additional work hours including weekends, public holidays and nights.
THREE DHBs at 90%
We know that vaccinations play a very important role in our road out of lockdowns, and in our recovery from this pandemic. On 3 December, Auckland hit a very significant milestone when all three of our Auckland DBHs were at least 90% vaccinated. Ngati Whatua Orakei put in a huge effort with their vaccination buses, alongside many of our local pharmacies and GP clinics. High vaccination rates mean a bit more freedom this summer, and some much-needed support for our hospitality sector!
Many of us will be eligible for a booster dose soon (6 months after your second dose), so make sure to schedule that into your summer plans.
TWO top cops
I wanted to acknowledge two of our special community policemen, Tony and Alfred, who have worked tirelessly alongside our Maori and Pacific wardens for our community, in some particularly challenging times which have included dairy ramraids. They are always willing to talk through community concerns and work with me and the Local Board to improve community safety. We are hugely grateful for the wonderful work all our police force does.
And a bellbird in a Waiatarua Reserve tree!
Finally, perhaps the highlight of a very challenging year, was the sighting of a bellbird in Remuera’s Waiatarua Reserve for the first time in over 100 years. Our community groups have been working so hard to restore our native bush and bring birdsong back to the Eastern Bays. An extra special yippee for no sale of the Melanesian Trust’s landownership of part of Kohimarama Forrest but more on that next year.
On the other side of Remuera, our contractors have been hard at work completing the environmental enhancements at Portland Road. The project is on track for completion by July 2022, and 15,000 native plants will be planted throughout April and May. I hope there are many more bellbirds on the way.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022.
Have a wonderful summer break.
Desley
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The Council offices are closed for the holidays from 24 December and will reopen on 10 January. Here’s a quick guide for who to call if anything comes up during that time:
For any problems at our parks, community facilities, beaches, maunga, roadsides or public spaces, call the Auckland Council call centre on 09 301 0101 or log the issue online here
For transport related issues where there is a safety risk, you can contact Auckland Transport on 09 355 3553. Maintenance issues can be logged here
For urgent water and wastewater faults, call 09 442 2222 or log it on the Watercare website
The most common question over the holidays is always about rubbish collection days. You can check your dates on the Auckland Council website, here.