Electing 2 Councillors
- 1. Community and rebuilding neighbourhoods.
Local government must provide for the well being of communities. In a busy world where both parents often work, there is less time available to experience a connection with our local neighbourhood. I believe a community is strengthened by participation and a city should recognise the importance of neighbourhood. The new governance structure for Auckland will enable local communities to take more interest and responsibility for their assets, hopefully leading to a better sense of belonging and connection. Councillors will have the opportunity to hear the voice of their community and take that voice strongly towards the vision for Auckland city. The fact that people are short on time means that communities need to be more accessible than ever to help create a sense of local identity and place. - 2. Positive approach to change – a common sense Supercity.
I believe that the new governance structure needs positivity and support to bring it to its best potential. There is a bounty of strength in the sum of all parts, but Auckland has been famous for its inability to achieve a unified voice, look at the waterfront debate for example. With the new Supercity there is the opportunity for robust debate that is hopefully followed up by decisive progress and real steps forward. - 3. Protecting natural heritage.
Auckland is a wonderful city. We are blessed with easy access to beautiful beaches, volcanic cones and parks, the sparkling harbour and great cultural and recreational opportunities. We need to focus on protecting the natural beauty for generations to come. That means careful planning in terms of waste management, conservation techniques and sustainability. I extend this thinking to the protection of heritage buildings (including those of particular character and architectural significance). - 4. Auckland as an exciting place to live, a world class city.
Arts and recreation play an important part in peoples experience of their city. Through cultural experience people feel more connected to the community they live in and have the opportunity to understand others perspectives. Auckland has made some real progress in building cultural capital, and the upcoming Rugby World Cup is making sure this progress continues. - 5. Rates
It has been a tough time for New Zealanders over the past two years. The last thing the citizens of Auckland need is a rates hike.
No issues on file for Peter Boys.
- Get a decent public transport stystem working in Auckland that is cheap, comfortable, runs to time and takes people where they want to go.
- Our valued public assets like the Ports of Auckland, our airport shares, our water company and our stock of council housing must stay in public ownership
- Local Boards must be given the authority and enough funding to make sure that good local decision-making can take place. As your councillor I will attend Local Board meetings
- We need to provide more care and protection of our precious volcanoes and streams and support all measures to clean up the sewage in our harbours
- Good local services must be delivered, like decent footpaths and clean and safe local shopping centres. Our libraries, community centres, halls and recreation centres play an important role in the local community in encouraging young and old to positively participate in community life and must be supported
- Protect our communities with zero tolerance
for graffiti and crime.
We deserve to have safer
streets particularly for our children and elderly
people. - Protect and enhance our communities
by addressing issues which currently allow the
destruction of our residential and business
communities. - Provide sensible transport solutions
that offer true benefits and meet the needs of the wider community. - Ensure costs are controlled.
Rates need to be affordable and spending decisions need to be sensible, appropriate and provide real value for the community. - Allow for greater consultation,
particularly in the early stages of planning to allow communities greater and more meaningful input. This inclusion will allow good workable ideas to come to the fore.
No issues on file for Chris Fletcher.
No issues on file for Glenda Fryer.
- Acting on our Community’s Concerns for a Better Dominion Road
The C&R-led council has listened extensively to the local community in developing amended proposal for the Dominion Road upgrade. The Committee has forwarded these changes and suggestions to the new Auckland Transport agency:
• Bus lanes, which would apply only in peak travel periods (6.30 to 9.30am weekday mornings, 3.30 to 6.30pm weekday evenings).
• Parking available on Dominion Rd during business days.
• Reduce the number of right turn restrictions from Dominion Rd
• A 'one-level' road surface to allow for future-proofed flexibility around lane markings.
Overall we will ensure that this development process continues to engage with locals affected by providing opportunities for feedback and consultation. This will help get the best outcome for everyone. - Pah Homestead
The development of Monte Cecilia Park has resulted in the restoration of the Pah homestead. In it we have reclaimed an important part of our local community’s history and heritage vital to maintaining our community’s local identity for future generations. Open to all members of the community, this important space will be open to the public enabling all members of our community to connect with the history and beauty of its collections.
The C&R-led council in Auckland City has worked in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Auckland to purchase the Monte Cecilia School and Liston Village to complete what will become one of Auckland’s premier parks for future generations. In the next five years, we are committed to ensuring that the school, its community and special character can relocate to an appropriate location that meets the educational needs of its pupils with greatly improved facilities. - Gribblehirst Park
The C&R-led Council has committed its support for the for the essential upgrade of the Eden Rugby Club clubrooms at Gribblehirst Park, through the Council’s Facilities Partnership scheme. This is an important local facility that will now be expanded and improved for the community and in time for the World Cup. - Wesley Youth Space
The success of our region in a new Auckland can only be ensured by us nurturing the opportunities that act on the needs of young people, provide opportunities and fundamental respect of the role of young people in enriching the culture and spirit of our community its people.
Paul’s leadership of the Community Services Committee enabled the C&R-led council to invest $3.2 million to build the new Wesley Youth Space facility, to be completed in early 2011. The C&R-led council has listened to the needs of our young people of Mt Roskill and has delivered on the need to provide a centre-point for young people to develop and build relationships, learn and enjoy the community they are a part of. - Our Safety
Strengthening the safety of our community and its people is as an essential we get right.
Through Paul’s leadership of the Community Services Committee the C&R-led council has taken graffiti vandalism very seriously. Since the C&R-led council introduced a new eradication service in July 2008, graffiti has been removed from over 146,000 sites, and 176 offenders have been apprehended. In August this year, the filed a civil action in Auckland District Court against a prolific graffiti vandal in an effort to recover $33,000 in damage repair costs, a new step that demonstrates the council’s intent to hold offenders fully accountable for their actions.
Another achievement in recent years has been C&R’s leadership on formalising our relationship with the New Zealand Police to bring greater clarity and emphasis on their many roles in dealing with anti-social behaviour, liquor licensing, liquor bans and gambling.
Making our local areas a safer for everyone to live and grow can only be achieved through unity of the new council and our local board in partnership with community organisations and residents committed to working together in order to build a safe community and a safer region.
No issues on file for Susanna Kruger.
No issues on file for Ravi Musuku.
No issues on file for Harry Palmer.
No issues on file for Gary Russell.
