Happy New Year! Here we are early February and January has gone already.
I’m sure we were all pleased to see some summer weather over the holiday period. January 22nd saw one of the hottest days on record in 4 years, and as I write this the temperatures are in the high 20’s and the humidity is up there too.
Auckland Anniversary weekend was full of activities with the International Buskers festival, the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, and the Red Bull Cliff Dive finals. However, whilst we have been basking in sunshine, I do think it’s important to remember and acknowledge this time last year.
January 2023 saw half of Auckland’s typical average annual rainfall fall across Auckland in just one month. Most of this was over the Auckland Anniversary weekend, including a huge deluge in only a few hours on 27 January 2023.
The resulting destruction was rapid and widespread. This was compounded further by Cyclone Gabrielle and then three further severe weather events. Hundreds of people have been working tirelessly to repair and redesign roads, clear slips and blockages, build new local water infrastructure, fix up community facilities - and assess thousands of affected properties for future flooding risk.
A year on there is still much to do. But, in remembering, we should acknowledge the severity of the numbers:
· 7,000 plus placards issued at properties in the aftermath
· 4,500 households required some sort of assistance
· 2,000 plus issues reported across the Auckland Transport network
· Almost 1460 parks and community facility repair projects
· And loss of life.
I would once again like to acknowledge those who lost their lives during those events . In the Ōrākei Ward, Dave Lennard who lived on Shore Road tragically died after his home was hit by a landslip.
As Council, we are in the recovery journey. Currently, affected properties are undergoing the risk categorisation process, and before Christmas the first buyouts took place. Unfortunately, the complexity of Auckland’s geography and the assessment of future risk means that it is taking a long time to get clear answers for some homeowners. For many Aucklanders, their reality is that they still haven't been given certainty, so they can either return to their homes, or move on, and that worries us all. But we do need to get it right to protect communities as much as we can against future weather events.
Our roads, pipes, and infrastructure still require extensive repairs despite works already completed. We have secured almost $2 billion worth of investment in Auckland’s storm recovery and resilience programme in a cost share agreement between Government and Auckland Council, yet that’s nowhere near enough.
Looking forward, we have now implemented fair and equitable polices for affected homeowners, balancing that against ensuring the financial commitments to support them are affordable for all Aucklanders. People are navigating this process at different paces as each property must be assessed. The council, central government, insurers, and others, all have a role to play to deliver clarity, fairness, and equity for those affected. Visiting areas, listening to your harrowing experiences, and seeing the devastation the weather events caused and is still causing is truly heartbreaking. You have my assurance, that my advocacy remains focused on supporting affected communities across our region.
During the summer holiday season some of you may have missed the media relating to changes to recycling. As of 1 February, a central government directive to all councils means we need to change what can be recycled. Auckland Council collects approximately 132,000 tonnes every year from kerbside household recycling bins. However, because of these new changes we all now need to brush up on our recycling etiquette. Everyone across the country will follow the same guidelines. You now cannot put small lids from the likes of soft drink bottles in your blue bin and only plastic graded 1, 2 and 5. I hope your eyesight is good because the grade of plastic containers can be deduced from a small (often very small) triangle symbol with a number in the middle that will be on the container. No longer can you put juice or milk cartons, biscuit packaging, or bread bags in your blue recycling bin. For a full explanation, further information can be found here.
As mentioned in my November 2023 newsletter, over the next few months I will update you on the Long-term Plan (10 – year budget) process. This budget sets out what we plan to achieve in Auckland over the next 10 years and how we will fund it. Currently the consultation papers are being drafted and it looks like they will be available for all to view at the end of this month – 28 February. I know I am labouring the point, but it is so important that Aucklanders have their say, engage with the consultation process, and take the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process. Investment in local facilities like libraries, pool and parks, flood mitigation, protecting our natural environment and our transport system are all points that will be discussed, challenged, and prioritised.
Moving on to local news and ending with some positives.
· It has been a LONG wait, but Stage 2 of the Rail Network Rebuild is complete by KiwiRail. After nine months of work upgrading the track foundation and drainage the Eastern Line has now reopened- meaning Ōrākei, Meadowbank, and other Eastern Line stations are back in action (I know many local residents are relieved the rail replacement buses are gone). Eastern Line trains will run between Manukau and Waitematā (Britomart) via Panmure. Trains will run every 10 minutes during peak hours, every 20 minutes inter-peak and every 30 minutes in the evenings and weekends.
· Parnell station pedestrian underpass is officially open. The works were undertaken by Auckland Transport to makes it safer, quicker, and easier to navigate the platforms.
· In yet another wonderful nod to history, Auckland Domain's iconic band rotunda, a grand 111-year-old landmark, has undergone a meticulous restoration. Originally gifted to the city by former Auckland Councillor James Mennie in 1913, the rotunda now stands as a beacon of historical accuracy, reverting to its original Edwardian colours that evoke the charm of the era in which it was constructed.
· Just so you are aware Synthony in the Domain, a one-day music festival featuring electronic dance music, a live orchestra, DJ’s, internationally acclaimed performers and spectacular visuals will be back on Saturday 10 February (the event will go ahead rain or shine and ends at 11.30pm).
Finally, I hope you all have a great 2024. Thanks for keeping in touch and as you know, I’m always available on desley.simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 021971786