The Waitematā Local Board met on 18 May. We heard from and formally expressed thanks to Sally-Anne Kerr, the retiring executive director of The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) about the great work they are doing for community development and community arts.
We debated and agreed to detailed submissions from the Board on the Regional Land Transport Programme with us advocating major changes to reduce carbon emissions from transport in Auckland, more provision for public and active transport, better urban design and streetscapes and quality consultation with the community on their projects.
We made grants to many worthwhile locally based organisations either to help them with the costs of their accommodation in our area or for valuable community work and projects they intend to carry out.
We recommended the local business associations’ targeted rates and commented on council’s draft economic development plan: the 10-year Recovery Budget.
The Downtown carpark is subject to redevelopment, and we sought the right balance between it providing for a choice in transport modes, and appropriate activation with office space and a mix of residential accommodation.
We unanimously resolved to oppose the rezoning and sale of pocket parks at 45 Georgina Street and 60 Cooper Street in favour of retaining them for public use and enjoyment.
We reviewed our Waitemat-a Local Board portfolios and created a portfolio of M-aori outcomes to reflect what is a new outcome in our recently released Waitemat-a Local Board Plan. We appointed member Kerrin Leoni of Ng-ati P-aoa as the portfolio holder. Our other portfolio holders were reaffirmed. We thanked Kerrin Leoni for her work and support to the Board and community as she stepped down as Deputy Chair and welcomed member Alex Bonham to her planned succession to that position until the end of the Board’s term next year.
It is intended to reopen the forest on the eastern side of the Western Springs Lakeside Te Wai -Orea Park in a few months now the aging pines have been taken out. Then the regeneration and planting of a native forest, with community participation, will be progressed.
I enjoyed a number of the events and presentations at Auckland’s wonderful Writers’ Festival in May.
There was also the celebration of the commencement of the Community Recovery and Recycling Centre in Western Springs, the opening of Freda Barnes Plaza in Wynyard Quarter, and the launch of the Dame Whina Cooper tunnelling machine to bore out the Central Rail Link tunnels.
I enjoyed being the speaker at Ewelme historic house, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its opening to the Auckland public.
I went on a tour of the new downtown facilities at the bottom of Queen Street: Te Komititanga Square, the new Quay Street lined with mature p-ohutukawa trees; Te W-ananga, the new plaza on the seaward side of Quay Street and the new ferry wharves.
Thank you for all of you who gave feedback on the Auckland Council’s proposed Long-Term Plan and Budget. The Waitemat-a Local Board members and staff carefully read the views and ideas coming from you the people, and organisations we represent in this area.
On 4 May we had a special meeting to decide on what to advocate to the governing body on 12 May. There, we took your views into account in our presentation, supporting greater action on climate change, more spending on cleaning up our harbour and streams, action to make our roads safer, particularly around schools, and an early restoration of the Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium for the public, and creation of a public plaza and park at 254 Ponsonby Road.
Our next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday 15 June held at the Waitemat-a Local Board Office at 52 Swanson Street, Covid willing. People can take part either in person or by Skype. (RICHARD NORTHEY)
I can be contacted at 021 534 546 or at richard.northey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
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