Pippa Coom: Waitemata Local Board Report

My first Local Board Plan at the helm of Waitemata Local Board. Twenty-one local boards have been shaping the local character and identity of diverse communities across Auckland for seven years now.

This is my first Local Board Plan at the helm of Waitemata Local Board, so I will be making the most of every opportunity to discuss the draft plan at a series of events. As promised in the March Ponsonby News, we will do all we can to make this consultation informative, effective and fun!

Waitemata is the heart of Tamaki Makaurau so the draft plan covers a great deal. It provides a local response to a new set of challenges and opportunities arising from Auckland’s unprecedented growth. The draft presents a vision for the next three years and a series of initiatives that with community support we would like to progress in order to enhance our area.

For example, over the next three years we are proposing for the Ponsonby area an arts precinct based around Studio One, development of Ponsonby Park at 254 Ponsonby Road now that the community-led design has been chosen and a Ponsonby Laneways Plan. As a progressive board we also take our wider responsibilities seriously. We’re committed to reducing Auckland’s greenhouse gas emissions, ending the overflow of waste into our harbour and championing best-practise initiatives to provide sustainable solutions for homelessness.

However, it is all in draft so let us know if we have the priorities right, if anything is missing or what needs to be tweaked so we can achieve the best outcomes for everyone.

There are a variety of ways to have your say on the Waitemata draft Local Board Plan: online, in person, post, email, via social media or at an event (details will be posted to every household in late May).

Information sessions and Have Your Say events in May: Come along to find out more about local board plans, ask questions and give feedback.

• Parnell Farmers Market - Saturday 20 May, 9am-12 noon

• Parnell Library, Jubilee Building - Thursday 25 May, 10am-12 noon

• Grey Lynn Farmers Market - Saturday 27 May, 9am-12.30pm

• Central City Library - Wednesday 31 May, 10am-12 noon

• Have your say event: Jubilee Hall, Parnell - Wednesday 24 May, 6pm-8pm

Consultation on draft plans runs between 22 May and 30 June 2017.

What’s coming up?
The opening of the Grey Lynn Pump Track and the Grey Lynn Greenways route are happening over the next month. We will post updates and opening event invitation details on the board’s Facebook page. (PIPPA COOM)

Contact Pippa Coom, Chair of Waitamata Local Board:
pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz     www.facebook.com/waitemata