Shale Chambers wants to thank all those who took the time to vote in last month’s local body elections.
Overall voter turnout was up only 3% on 2013’s poor turnout of 35.5%, which was in turn much lower than the inaugural Auckland Council vote in 2010 of 51%. The turnout in our Waitemata Local Board area was, however, a slightly healthier turnout of 41.5%.
Rates restraint and providing value and efficiency in council services to Aucklanders, improving Auckland’s transport woes with better public transport and less traffic congestion, resolving the housing shortage and affordability with more housing and choice, and restoring the public’s confidence in council’s performance remain the priorities for the new council. Our new Mayor, Phil Goff has the full support of the Waitemata Local Board in this new term of council, and we look forward to taking Auckland forward under his leadership. He has chosen a new deputy mayor in Franklin councillor Bill Cashmore and a streamlined Council Committee structure led by councillors Penny Hulse, Chris Darby, and Ross Clow as his major chairs. We can only all wish them every success.
Our two-term local councillor and friend, Mike Lee, has been returned for another term, besting high-profile opponent and Franklin Road local, Bill Ralston, in a closer race than in the past. Bill ran a good and positive campaign, and gave it his best and the local board team enjoyed our time on the campaign trail with all council candidates. Mike Lee is to chair the Strategic Procurement Committee and the Heritage Advisory Panel this term of council, and will no doubt continue his passionate commitment to improving Auckland’s public transport. As a board, we look forward to continuing the good and close relationship we have enjoyed over the past six years for the betterment of our local area.
City Vision; the Labour, Green and Community independents team once again won five of seats seats and a clear majority on the local board, the same as it did in the last two terms of council, although with two new faces. The justifiably popular Pippa Coom and this columnist head the leadership team of the board, with positions scheduled to have been decided at the board’s inaugural meeting on 27 October 2016. We have both received a strong mandate and thank the public for renewing their confidence in us to continue as an active, progressive local board for another three years. Vernon Tava was again returned by a small margin, although a judicial recount is scheduled early November to confirm this. He is set to carry on the excellent work on the board he has undertaken in the past three years. The team has been joined by newcomer, young social entrepreneur, Adriana Christie, and local government veteran, Richard Northey. Their new ideas and experience add considerable strengths to the team. Popular independent Rob Thomas was once again returned to the board, after another unsuccessful tilt at councillor. We look forward to working closely with him again. The final member of the board is Auckland Future sole representative, young entrepreneur and urban planner, Mark Davey. A diverse and energetic group. We hope to do justice to the vote of confidence placed in us all.
Unfortunately, we said farewell to long-time local, Greg Moyle, who was unsuccessful in his re-election bid. Greg has served this community with distinction for many years of public service on Western Bays Community Board (1989-91), Auckland City Council (2007-2010) and on Waitemata Local Board of Auckland Council since 2010. We wish him well with his future endeavours.
Labour Weekend heralded the arrival of early summer and the freedom summer brings. Festivals, fireworks, fun, bikes, walks, swims, warm sun, outdoor café dining and friends to share all this with. Parnell Festival of Roses is Sunday 13 November. Grey Lynn Park Festival is Saturday 26 November. Christmas and the Franklin Road Christmas lights from 1 December are nearly upon us.
As a new local board, we look forward to delivering all that is currently planned in the year ahead, representing your interests as a strong local board, and discussing with you in the New Year a refreshed vision for the area in a new local board plan to make Waitemata an even better place to live. And let’s not forget, getting things right at council.
(SHALE CHAMBERS)
Contact me: shale.chambers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz