This year has been hard in many ways – floods, cost of living, election campaigning – and council has pivoted to address them all
However, behind the headlines, there have been a number of great things happening. Here are some highlights.
Amazing Communities
Neighbours were the first responders in January and have continued to rally around those who have been deeply traumatised by the floods. City Vision has supported people hit, and advocated for a change in the approach in how we manage stormwater in the city. We have led community meetings and called for the local and central government funding package to help people leave the most vulnerable sites and get on with their lives. We also strongly support strategies to reduce risk in the future through infrastructure investment, establishing blue-green corridors (including in Grey Lynn) and restricting building in the wrong place.
A New Chapter For Leys and Studio One
The shutting of the Leys Institute, then Studio One Toi Tū, left a hole in Ponsonby life. Since then, Studio One has been seismically strengthened, restored, reopened and offering art classes again. Designs to restore the Leys library and gym have been developed with the community, money has been found, and construction is due to start next year.
Ponsonby Park
Mid last year, the Waitematā Local Board directed staff to get on with turning 254 Ponsonby Road into a garden/civic space using the funds we had. Two months ago, designs for the space were signed off. The plan incorporates seating, shelter, plantings, power for events, attractive lighting, trees and a well-drained lawn. Construction starts early next year. Thanks to everyone who has helped make this happen, including the initial donor of the resources that fund the project: it has been a great team effort!
Festivals Old and New
After so many event cancellations in recent years, it was brilliant to enjoy the new Italian-inspired Play Festival over Easter weekend. The sun was shining and 5000 people, young and old, came out to enjoy games from a myriad of cultures. Just last month, the Parnell Rose Festival was a delight, going back to its roots, celebrating roses, gardens and gardening, with lots of seedlings given away. In November it was wonderful to enjoy Grey Lynn Festival at last (this time with two soundstages, stalls and tent talks), and the Franklin Road lights are still to come.
Making it Easier to Get Around
The Great North Road and Meola Road upgrades are underway and not before time. Meola Road is sinking, water utilities underneath need improving, and both roads need to be resurfaced and made safer for the many hundreds of students walking and cycling to school. The Community Vision for Great North Road wanted trees, shade, cycleways, safe crossings, plantings and lively shops and these are on their way. There are some great cafes and businesses on the ridge that would appreciate support through the works. (An addiction to coffee and a hankering for style can be good for the community.)
The semi-permanent redesign of Queen Street is now complete and it is a pleasure to walk down. Thanks to the city centre targeted rate-funded improvements, downtown is buzzing. The strengthened sea wall and the ferry basin on the waterfront in front of Commercial Bay has improved resilience as well as the vitality of the area. The area behind the Waitematā station at Britomart is getting a full upgrade. Galway Street reopened this year and construction on Tyler Street and the east side station plaza follow next year.
There is more focus now on midtown. The underpass at Myers Park is complete and combines a ramp, steps, a boardwalk and stunning artwork from Graham Tipene. A bit further afield, visitors to Parnell station can take the underpass that reopens this month, to access the recently completed footpath to Lower Domain Drive and then on to the Wintergardens, which opened its doors again back in March following a prize-winning (and on budget) restoration.
Planning Ahead
All the local boards have adopted their local board plans that will hold for the next three years. All board members feed into them. Priorities for City Vision include maintaining great community facilities and programmes, ensuring transport choice and road safety (particularly around schools), attractive and vibrant town centres, and prudent financial management and we support working with business associations to leverage great placemaking outcomes off CRL and Auckland Transport works. Sure, Aucklanders want to get moving but Auckland’s city fringe centres are not simply road corridors, they are destinations, awesome destinations, in themselves.
Please do get in touch with your local City Vision reps for any assistance or information on local issues. We are:
Alexandra Bonham alexandra.bonham@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Richard Northey richard.northey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Anahera Rawiri anahera.rawiri@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
In Waitematā or you can contact Councillor Julie Fairey on julie.fairey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or text directly on M: 027 911 3030.
Happy Christmas, everyone and see you in the New Year.
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Published: November 2023