Mike Cohen

Standing for: Auckland Council - Devonport - Takapuna Local Board

This election sees the birth of a greater Auckland. There is confidence that it will work regionally, however doubts surround what will happen locally. It will be imperative, whether we live in Castor Bay, Milford, Forrest, Hill, Sunnynook, Takapuna, Hauraki and the Devonport Peninsula, that our communities retain their identity and that the local board is energised to serve our needs. As Chairman of the NZ Community Board Executive we have had significant input into improving Government’s Supercity model, enhancing the ability of local boards to make local decisions.

As a committed and approachable Community Leader, chartered accountant, and with a QSM for services to the region I will work for communities to conserve what they value, pushing for appropriate funding and autonomy.

With proven experience as Devonport Community Board Chairman for 7+ years I understand the value of working together in making communities friendly, vibrant, thriving, and safe places to live, work and play.

Community involvements; Shore Safe Community Trust, Chair Devonport Peninsula Trust (governs Devonport Community Co-ordinator), member: Council of Auckland Age Concern, Bayswater Community Committee, The Michael King Writers’ Centre Trust, and enjoys playing inter-club tennis for Belmont.

As an independent, I’m free to treat each issue on its merits and focus on: more local input, be proactive on community issues, fiscal responsibility and ensuring decisions are for the benefit of local people.

Top 5 Issues

That our local communites within the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Area retain both their identity and what they value.
That our communities are vibrant, friendly, caring and safe places to life, work and play
Fiscal Responsibility-and that the local board's financial envelop is appropriately funded for the responsibilities and functions it is required to carry out.
That local people can influence what happens in their street and neighbourhood.
That the new Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is able to make decisions on local issues

Personal Profile

Authorised by Mike Cohen of 11a Bayswater Avenue, Bayswater

Questions answered by Mike Cohen

Question

Mike Cohen's Reply

Lake Road cycle lanes - should they stay or go?

The first question ought be, \\\"can the Lake Road cycle lanes be removed\\\"?

By statute cycles are to be ridden on the road and not on on the foorpath. The cyclist is therefore a recognised user of the road.

Given that the Lake Road cycle-lanes were introduced in order to make it safer for cyclists, the lanes removal would open Council to legal challenge in that they are making the road more dangerous for the cyclists.

A legal opinion I have sighted relating to another part of New Zealand gave credence to the situation that where action taken by a Council to make a road more dangerous to a user of the road then Council ran a real risk of committing a legal breach.

Therefore unless the relevant Act is changed by Parliament I beleive discusion on the removal of the cycle lane is academic.

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Ownership models for the supercity

I support public ownership of key infrastructural assets, especially water.

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