The school holidays are over, the days are getting longer, and our top athletes are in Paris representing New Zealand in the Olympics. We may be in a different hemisphere, but I do hope the athletes feel our support. Let’s face it, it’s a real achievement to even make the Olympic team representing our great country.
Back home, as usual, lots happening in Auckland.
As you know it is so important to have your say through the council’s consultation process. One that’s on now ( but is closing soon) is “How we represent you: Auckland Council representation review” open until 8 August. A representation review makes sure that each councillor represents a similar number of people, known as the 'fairness of representation rule' or the '+/- 10 per cent rule.'
What does this mean for you?
If you live in Parnell, Newmarket or Grafton, do you want to be represented by an Ōrākei Ward Councillor or change to a Waitemata and Gulf Councillor or aren’t bothered either way? The consultation has significant effects on the Ōrākei ward boundaries. Specifically, the proposal is to remove the suburbs of Parnell, Grafton and Newmarket (and the Auckland Domain) away from the Ōrākei Ward so they are then part of the Waitemata Ward. This would mean the Orakei ward would start in the west at Remuera and go east to include Ellerslie (which it doesn’t currently) and more parts of St Johns (around Felton Mathew Ave) which currently sit within the Maungakiekie Tāmaki Ward.
I have given a very brief overview, however, there is more information in the link below, including maps. Please have your say by 8 August. My vote on this will definitely take your views into consideration.
https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/auckland-council-representation-project
Next, the decision to cap public transport at $50 over 7 days to help Aucklander’s budget better in these challenging economic times is now operational. As a key priority in Council’s Long-term Plan, this initiative means fares on AT buses, trains, inner harbour ferries and AT Local will be capped at $50 over seven days in a row. The fare cap period runs for a week, expiring at 11:59pm seven consecutive days after the initial tag on. For example, if you tag on a Tuesday, your fare cap period will run until 11:59pm the following Monday. The good thing about this change is that all you need to remember is to continue to tap on and off, the cap happens automatically.
Further information can be found on the AT website - https://at.govt.nz/7dayfarecap
Moving on, visibility of road cones has become a matter of public frustration. We see endless cones and not necessarily any activity happening behind them. However, Temporary Traffic Management is critically important to a functioning city where development happens. Keeping everyone safe is paramount, so finding a balance between works, cones and disruption without decreasing safety is what we need to work towards.
As background, in February 2024, The Mayor commissioned an independent report into the temporary traffic management (TTM) system in Auckland. This was released 16 July.
The report, by Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY), found:
· Temporary Traffic Management contractors have little incentive to work cheaper and faster.
· Existing rules and regulations incentivise contractors to cause maximum disruption to maximise profits.
· Legislative change is needed to change this behaviour and minimise disruption.
The full report is public https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/media/0vrey2lt/240718-final-temporary-traffic-management-in-auckland.pdf
The report has identified 25 actions, that have been defined as low, medium, high impact. It is great to see that Auckland Transport is already underway with 12 of the recommendations and will look at the others that relate to them. They have reduced the amount spent on Temporary Traffic Management by $1.27 million since February this year. This is work in progress, Council will need to work alongside, central government for bigger impacts due to needed legislative change.
Staying with transport, a few newsletters’ ago I encouraged you to feedback in relation to the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2024-2034 – the region’s investment proposal for transport over the next 10 years. The RLTP is a multi-agency plan by Auckland Transport (AT), Auckland Council, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and KiwiRail. It sets out the region’s transport objectives and how proposed transport initiatives and activities in Auckland should be prioritised for funding.
The draft RLTP was put forward to Aucklanders to have their say in May. It now has been confirmed that 13,108 pieces of feedback were received, more than twice as many as the previous draft RLTP in 2021.Feedback from this consultation has helped shape the final RLTP.
Auckland Transport has reported that feedback showed moderate support for state highway improvements and less support for walking, cycling, safety, and sustainability initiatives.
Changes to the draft RLTP based on Aucklanders’ feedback included:
• Bringing forward funding for unsealed road improvements and bus optimisation programmes, with the deferral of some funding for ferry decarbonisation.
• Raising the priority of the state highway improvement projects.
• Allocation of an additional $600m (budget which was approved through Auckland Council’s Long-Term Plan 2024-2034) to make public transport faster, more reliable and easier to use, and to optimise the transport network, as follows:
o $92m to the park and ride programme.
At our last Transport and Infrastructure Committee, the revised RLTP was approved by elected members. The next step is for AT to submit it and we will wait and see which of our priorities and projects are included by central government for delivery.
Local updates
I am following my usual pattern on ending with local news, so here we go:
While restoration works are undertaken at Remuera library until mid-2025, the new temporary Remuera library at Somervell Presbyterian Church (497 Remuera Road) is now open.
I can confirm that the Te Ara ki Uta ki Tai Lights on the Ōrākei Basin boardwalk (the straight section along the basin) are now repaired and operational. Thank you to local residents who let me know that the lights were broken, walking along the path in darkness was neither safe nor practical.
An incredible amount of work has happened in our area over the past financial year. We are fortunate to have great beaches, parks, boardwalks, and reserves in our area and there is a dedicated Council team that have ensured that our open spaces are maintained or upgraded for the community to use. To assess what works are prioritised they condition rate the assets and when they become in poor condition, they create a programme for renewal.
Here is a list (a sample) just concentrating on works in and around our local parks and community facilities. All this and more was delivered for a budget spend of $4.8m in FY23/24:
· Bins, tables and park benches were repaired or replaced across the Orakei local board area in 25 locations. From Portland Reserve to Glendowie Park, Bonnie Brae reserve to Colin Maiden Park
· Playground equipment has been replaced and/or fixed based on the team’s annual playground inspection reports that identifies equipment that needs replacing. These include- Okahu Bay cargo net, Burma bridge and spinner, Thomas Bloodworth playground net and rope replacement for play equipment, Wharua Reserve playground climbing rope replacement, play equipment at Patteson Reserve , a new formed concreted manual skate pad at the Crossfield Reserve Skate Park and renewed flying fox at Little Rangitoto Reserve. All because our playgrounds are well used and well loved.
· Kohimarama Beach Reserve lighting along the boardwalk has been upgraded, which was a massive task. The lighting on Kohimarama Beach Reserve had failed due to being inground (up lights and bollard lights) and not suited to the environment ( a lot of learnings there!).The opportunity was taken to put in lamp posts in keeping with what was done at Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay to keep a consistent look along the waterfront. These will also be more protected from the elements. This has provided much better lighting and a more pleasant, safer experience for the public.
· Glendowie Community Centre has had a big upgrade with works on the roof and cladding as well as solar panel installation
· Crossfield Reserve playground has been upgraded, there was a grand opening a few months ago. The opportunity was also taken to install a path network (at the eastern end of the reserve) that connected through the park better.
· Waiatarua path- Progress continues with the Waiatarua Reserve path renewal project, contractors are working through the reserve in sections. The new entrance at Grand Drive has been completed and there has been a tidy up of the Towle Place entryway. The contractors have also cleaned all of the bridges throughout the reserve and installed new anti-slip mesh on the platform at the dog pond
· St Johns Bush walkway - these paths were bought back to life after the January 2023 storm caused a lot of damage. The work undertaken will increase the resilience of the walkway.
· Tahapa shared path bridge - work to apply an anti-slip surface to the bridge at one of the feeder paths to Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai path was completed
· Building repairs – 85 Merton Rd (Colin Maiden Park) - known as the old radiology building, this building and the garage were in dire need of repairs the roof and gutters were replaced and exterior painted.
· Thomas Bloodworth Park’s bridges and picket fence have had a complete transformation.
· Shore road footpath - The path at Shore Road was a constant mud pit which pooled with water. The path has now been fixed and designed to look like it had always been there. The community can now enjoy a much cleaner walk
· Ellerslie Domain – sports field renovations- new grass was seeded to ensure a greatly improved quality of sports field.
· Kohi boardwalk - The boardwalk along Kohimarama has been tidied up. Trimming back the grass to create a nice straight edge, which has widened the boardwalk in time for the increased usage over summer.
· St Heliers Bay Beach Reserve path - The removal of the safety edge of the playground removing the trip hazard and the renewal of the hogan path to concrete has been completed
· St Heliers Library seismic upgrade and general works. This heritage building has been strengthened and restored.
· Signage, for example wayfinding bollards and entry signs – Dingle Dell, Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, Martyn Wilson Field, Ngake Walkway, Bonnie Brae, Patteson Reserve, Watene Reserve, Swainston reserve, Koraka Reserve, Roberta Reserve, Waiata Reserve and Kupe Reserve.
Unfortunately, graffiti and vandalism continue to be a problem across the city. Our contractors work tirelessly to remove graffiti as soon as it is reported. Anyone can report graffiti and vandalism using this online form - https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/grants-community-support-housing/graffiti-vandalism/Pages/report-graffiti-vandalism.aspx
Finally, this month (August) Auckland central will host restaurant month. Hospo, like many businesses have had a tough time over the past few years. If you are able, I’d encourage you to participate in Restaurant Month 1-31 August. There are over 100 special menus at participating restaurants to choose from. These range from Chef’s table series to walking food tours, and special menus from $30 pp. Things can book up quickly so have a look on the below website to find out more. https://heartofthecity.co.nz/restaurant-month
Closer to home St Heliers Village is also running Restaurant month with a $50 restaurant voucher available for $30 to spend at 4 participating restaurants, Annabelles, Curry Village, La Vista and Moretons – terms and conditions apply please see https://www.stheliers.com/products/restaurant-month for more details.