November, another month and yes, there is lots to update you on. We have had children out and about trick or treating for Halloween, Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Marathon through Tāmaki Drive and then the much-anticipated opening of the Parnell Baths, the Festival of Roses in the Parnell Rose Gardens and some major music events including Coldplay at Eden Park.
The council diary has been especially full as I have been ( and still am) Acting Mayor whilst the mayor is on working trips to Brazil, China and Japan.
So first some regional updates.
Let’s start with the trains. You may have seen on news or heard on the radio the City Rail Link (CRL) announcement about some extended closures of all train lines over holiday periods (mainly) starting from the upcoming Christmas/summer holidays and throughout 2025 in preparation for CRL.
In simple terms 10 years’ worth of rail maintenance and upgrades is happening in 18 months so that when CRL opens in 2026 it can do so without further disruption.
The work programme been designed to condense network disruption into shorter, more intensive closures, leaving it fully operational for longer and at the busier times. For example:
· the network will be fully operational for more weekends next year, compared to 2024.
· KiwiRail can work 24/7 when appropriate and needed
· Save about 30% in costs
· Prioritise weekday peak commuters so that trains are working when the school term starts next year and when most people are back at work after the summer break.
· The fleet of school buses can be used to boost the rail replacement buses as they will be available to use at these times.
Dates of the rail closures are (please make a note):
· 4 weeks over Christmas 2024 and 2025, compared to the usual 3 weeks. This includes a full rail network closure from 27 December 2024 to 27 January 2025, with parts of the network reopening on 28 January 2025, including the Western and Onehunga lines. An additional week of service changes will affect the Southern and Eastern lines south of Otahuhu, with buses replacing trains.
· A 16-day closure around Easter 2025
· 4-day holiday weekend closures
· Periods of single line running, where trains can only use one track instead of two, may be needed during some school holidays
Just to be clear, it is the expectation of council, and I am sure all Aucklanders that both Auckland Transport and KiwiRail:
- Engage early with Aucklanders so they know they closure dates well in advance
- Engage often
- Explain the scale of what’s happening,
- Explain why disruptions are necessary
- Explain how people can get to their destinations using alternative public transport routes
- And deliver the upgrades on time (and on budget)
To see further information on these rail closures please go to https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/train-services/rail-network-rebuild/next-stages-of-the-rail-network-rebuild-project
Now the Christmas tree.
There has been a flurry of discussion about the funding of Te Manaaki, an 18m-high Christmas tree to be lit with thousands of lights, hundreds of Pohutukawa flowers and baubles, and erected in Te Komititanga Square (in front of Commercial Bay) later this month.
Funding for this initiative comes from the City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR). This is a specific rate gathered from city centre businesses and residents to fund the development of the city centre. It does not come from ratepayers outside of that area.
Heart of the City ( the business association for the central city) and Precinct Properties presented staff with an opportunity to contribute to something special, something that would give Aucklanders a new reason to come into the city centre during the biggest trading season of the year. The tree was also supported by the Waitemata Local Board. You need to know the CCTR can only be spent in the city centre, so the investment doesn’t come at the expense of any council service anywhere else in the region.
With the festive season fast approaching, events like the Farmer’s Santa Parade and Christmas activation in Aotea square will further assist in increasing foot traffic in the central city. I’ll certainly be bringing the Council choir to sing around Te Manaaki in December to bring some extra festive cheer.
From cheer to grrr.
Hate potholes? Well, there is a plan to get rid of them and fast. Auckland Transport has been in the news for a great reason and that is for their Pothole Promise. Starting at the end of last month (30 October), they have committed to filling potholes on our busy arterial roads like Remuera Road, Kepa Road etc… within 24 hours of being reported and the other sealed roads within 5 days of being reported. Whilst filling potholes is not new news, AT’s commitment to doing this 95% of the time in the days they have specified is. At the last Transport and Infrastructure Council Committee meeting, they told elected members that they had exceeded their response targets with 97% of potholes being filled within the days they had promised.
So far (as of 11 November) 507 customer requests for pothole fixes have been completed. It may also be of interest to note that 50% of pothole repairs are occurring in the Franklin, Waitākere and Albany Local Board areas.
If you see a pothole when you are out and about, I encourage you to report them online, it is a straightforward process. Visit at.govt.nz/potholepromise (FYI potholes on motorways are filled by New Zealand Transport Agency and they have a similar target).
Savings
Savings and efficiency are actively being pursued by Council. I chair the committee monitoring our savings. The positive take out from this week’s committee meeting was that almost 50 per cent of Auckland Council’s savings for this financial year have been achieved, even though we have just finished Quarter 1.
· For 2024/2025, the council has already achieved $31.9 million (48 per cent) of its $66 million goal.
· These savings are directly used to keep rates and debt down. In total, $66 million saved represents 2.5 per cent of rates rises that have been avoided
· For 2024/2025, the $66 million savings target builds on top of ongoing savings of $90 million per year which have already been achieved and locked into the council’s budget.
An interesting fact is that, for every $25 million of planned savings in the council’s budget, rates rise of around 1 per cent is avoided.
Having your say
It is really important to us, that when asked, you provide feedback on the many issues we ask your opinion on as I certainly take into account your views when making decisions. Listed below are some of the current topics Auckland Council is asking Aucklander’s input on:
· A proposed wellness, sport and recreation centre at Orakei Domain. Have your say by 4 December 2024.
https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hauora-centre-facility
· Shoreline Adaptation Plans: Auckland Central and Ōrākei to Karaka Bay. Looking for feedback by 18 December
· Traffic Related By-laws - AT and Council are proposing to:
o Consolidate the three current traffic-related bylaws into a single joint AT and Auckland Council Vehicle Use and Parking Bylaw 2025. This will clarify and simplify the rules about vehicle use and parking in Auckland.
o Make changes to better respond to current and future issues with vehicles on beaches, heavy vehicle use and parking, and parking vehicles off a roadway.
o Make the new bylaw easier to use and understand by clarifying existing rules, removing unnecessary rules, and moving rules to better aligned bylaws.
o Make supporting changes to the Council Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw 2013, AT Activities in the Road Corridor Bylaw 2022, and Council and AT Signs Bylaw 2022.
Public consultation started the 4 November and will close 4 December 2024.
https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/trafficbylaw
And to end with some local updates:
Parnell Baths
Parnell Baths are now open for business. Sadly the Peter Turkington mural at the Baths won’t be back until the beginning of next year as it was damaged by graffiti so is undergoing cleaning and repairs offsite by a stone conservator.
Watercare upgrades
The Remuera Road watermain renewal (near Stoneyroyrd Gardens) has begun! To minimise holiday disruptions, the work will be completed in two stages:
Stage 1: 11th November – 8th December
Stage 2: 6th January – early February
There are temporary changes along Remuera Road including limited street parking between Stoneyroyd Gardens and Loch Street. Reduced lane widths and speed limits. Pedestrian detours with some reduced footpath access. T3 Lane will be temporarily closed.
Ohinerau/Mt Hobson improvements
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority ( who govern all our maunga/mountains will begin track improvements at Ōhinerau / Mt Hobson around mid-November, aiming to enhance both the visitor experience and protect archaeological features. Upgrades include adding boxed steps and boardwalks on informal tracks, grassing and planting eroded areas, and removing old fences and gates. New aggregate tracks and resurfaced paths will improve access to the summit, while pest plants will be cleared and native species planted to enrich the landscape. Construction is expected to take 12-16 weeks, occurring on weekdays and some Saturdays. Pedestrian, cycle, and vehicle access will remain available, with the main Remuera Road entrance open throughout. Temporary closures of certain entrances and tracks will be managed with clear signage and alternative routes.
Finally at time of writing there are 42 days until Christmas. I’m sure your list is as long as mine so all the best in the lead up. I’ll be sending one final update before the end of the year.