No issues on file for Aileen Austin.
- Rates
John Banks is the only Mayor in New Zealand with a track record of keeping rates at or under consumer/council inflation. In 2009, the John Banks led Auckland City Council delivered an overall rates rise of only 1.9%, and in 2010, continued the record of fiscal prudence with an overall rates rise of 1.95%.
Fiscal prudence doesn’t mean skimping on investing in the community. Because John Banks has sought and won efficiencies in council operations, funds could be made available to invest back into capital works.
As Mayor of Auckland Council, John Banks will ensure water prices reflect the need to provide you with a world class water supply, as well as environmental improvements related to separation of stormwater and similar, but not to include extra dividends to fund non-water activities. John won’t force water reticulation onto those communities that prize their rural/provincial character and don’t want this.
John Banks has a positive record on water pricing in previous years, having reduced by almost half the project cost of water price rises in Auckland City after the City Vision-Labour 2004-2007 council term, also ensuring that regional savings in water were taking place before the supercity transition took place, saving around millions in borrowing costs for Watercare that won’t be passed onto consumers.
John Banks also commits to protecting the family silver. He will not privatise the strategic assets of Auckland Council – rather, he commits to growing them and making them deliver benefits for the people of Auckland. Instead, John Banks sees the efficiencies and savings from a single council as the mechanism by which we can afford more quality assets for our city while keeping rates and water prices affordable.
John Banks also wants to offer Aucklanders the opportunity to invest in their city via infrastructure bonds. He knows many Aucklanders and New Zealanders would love to patriotically invest in secure and highly regarded council bond investments. Many people have been badly burned in the past by finance and investment firms that have mishandled their funds and made speculative investments which have soured. Funding growth in New Zealand, particularly in the new Auckland Council, will be a healthy alternative to risky investments for many New Zealanders. It’s also a positive way in which the new council can grow domestic investment markets, instead of relying solely on overseas owned banks for funding capital works. It also ensures the council has a fiscally prudent spread of debt to fund its activities. - John Banks strongly supports the Auckland police meeting the new requirements of supercity policing by reorganising themselves to best deliver law and order services to Aucklanders. He will work with the NZ Police to ensure that they have a structure which will meet local board requirements and enables them to deploy law and order services as they are most urgently needed. For example, under the single city structure, the police will need to consider how they most effectively respond to liquor licensing, civil defence, road policing, crime prevention, community safety, planning, graffiti and family violence.
One of the great successes of the current Auckland City term has been the introduction of CCTV in some mainstreet areas, with a reduction in crime of around 25% in the Newmarket Business Association district. The success was so notable, that the John Banks led council has extended a further $500,000 towards funding CCTV and other appropriate safety and anti-crime assets across mainstreets.
John Banks will push for the rollout of CCTV across Greater Auckland for those mainstreet areas where they believe it will help. John will encourage the use of municipal WIFI to help extend CCTV at low cost to mainstreets, and ensure that CCTV is properly co-ordinated with the police for maximum effectiveness.
Monitoring the CCTV system for Newmarket
Continue graffiti program that places additional emphasis on catching and prosecuting graffiti vandals through civil courts. Since John Banks has been Mayor, the prosecution of graffiti vandals has increased due to the use of civil prosecutions, where it is often easier and faster to successfully prosecute.
Consider anti-littering by-laws to discourage spontaneous littering. Nothing annoys Aucklanders more than gratuituous abuse of our environments through littering and dumping. John will seek advice on whether the new supercity can bring in by-laws and processes to more effectively deal with the dumping of commercial waste like tyres, as well as the incidents of casual littering in park and mainstreet areas.
John will promote safer and more enjoyable taxi services as a part of encouraging tourism, improving services for Aucklanders, as well as ensuring protection and respect for our taxi driver.
He will lobby government to increase the council’s ability to seek higher standards of service and cleanliness for taxis. It will consider restrictions of council taxi stands to only those operators who meet higher standards.Banks will work with police and the taxi industry to help improve taxi driver safety. He will also encourage “Auckland branding” for taxis to help make them more identifiable to tourists. He will also encourage taxi fleets to adopt cleaner emissions standards and enforce restrictions against taxi operators who fail emissions. - Transport
John Banks has a public transport vision that would dramatically improve the focus on ferry connections and the wharves that service the Waitemata, East Coast Bays of the North, and Eastern Areas of Manukau. This underutilised public transport service could significantly improve the public transport options for many Auckland citizens, and with integrated ticketing, could assist people easily commute much further than just the ferry connection itself.
John Banks has a vision for Auckland having one of the best ferry services anywhere in the southern hemisphere
A John Banks led council would seek to expand Birkenhead Ferry services, provide services to Beachhaven, Takapuna, Browns Bay, and even as far as the Gulf Harbour. This would mean rebuilding a Takapuna Wharf, and fixing the run down ferry wharves at Stanley, and Devonport.
John Banks would also seek to improve ferry connections along the Waitemata Harbour, including as far as West Harbour, a water taxi service for Tamaki to Half-Moon Bay, and improved services from Half-Moon Bay to Auckland CBD.
John will also push for trialling of WIFI on ferries in order to provide a more compelling choice for people who want to use convenient public transport.
An inner city loop and an airport link are two of the main planks of John Banks’ vision for Auckland rail service enhancements.
The proposed inner city rail loop that breaks through the wall at the main CBD station at Britomart and loops back underground towards Karangahape Road would double the train throughput at Britomart and increase the level of service that is provided to the west of the CBD. The creation of a number of CBD and CBD fringe stations would provide greater choice and convenience to people who want to ditch the car and use a consumer-friendly rail service.
An airport link should also be planned, including the ability for passenger check-in to occur at Britomart Station
Integrated ticketing is on the way to Auckland, with expected delivery around the middle of next year. Once this service is bedded in, John will consider ways to expand the rail/ferry/bus ticketing to include council car parks and other ways to make public transport as easy to use as possible to commuters.
John Banks will also continue to support the generalised improvements to rail already occurring around the region, including New Lynn, Grafton, Newmarket and Onehunga station upgrades, some of these now on line.
The third Waitemata harbour crossing must include rail capability as well, which in time will provide regular rail services to the North Shore via the Northern Busway.
John Banks will continue to advocate for strategic roading improvements around Auckland to assist with bus, commuter and commercial services traffic, including Penlink in Rodney, SH20 and the Western Ring Route in Auckland City and the west, plus a third harbour crossing, which is likely to be a tunnel from Wynyard Point to Northcote. This harbour crossing must include provision for rail, and the existing harbour bridge should become a arterial road rather than a state highway. Strategic bus routes like the Central Connector will also be promoted, possibly also as HOV lanes where appropriate.
Banks will also advocate for strategic cycling improvements. This includes exploration of cycleways that would dramatically boost cycle patronage along key routes. As Mayor of Auckland City, John Banks has found funding for a CBD-Domain-Parnell cycleway, which would boost the cycleway access between the University of Auckland and a rail station which is anticipated to become one of its closest rail links.
John will also promote safer and more enjoyable taxi services. He will encourage higher standards of service/cleanliness and safety for taxis, through lobbying central government but also by using tools like restrictions of council taxi stands to only those operators who meet higher standards. John will also work with police and the taxi industry to help improve driver safety. In some parts of Auckland, bus lanes could also operate as higher occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV). Taxis carrying fares should also be considered for inclusion into HOV lanes. - John Banks will continue to defend heritage and character areas through the city. As Mayor of Auckland Council, he will work with community groups, heritage societies and private property interests to ensure that sound heritage and character outcomes for Auckland are reached. For example, Mayor Banks used his influence to help promote a city-wide accord on heritage and character through the successful agreement on “Plan Change 163″, which ensured proper criteria was agreed on for heritage and character zones.
Ensure Urban Design oversight on transport CCO projects over a certain dollar value. Auckland Transport will have an important role to improve public transport outcomes in Auckland, but they will need to ensure that modern urban design practices are taken into account to ensure that their work represents places that people will use and enjoy.
John Banks will promote the reduction of street clutter, and will promote the learnings from the Kingsland mainstreet area trial which saw a reduction in 70% of council street signage, which saves ratepayer money, makes it easier for people to move around (particularly those with disabilities), and provides a more attractive streetscape environment.
John Banks will also promote a policy of improved pedestrianisation in our business and mainstreet areas. In addition to removal of street clutter, street upgrades in the future should take into account the fact that mainstreets exist first for people, and cars second. Shared spaces should be considered in the future for those mainstreet areas that desire increased people spaces for cafes, shopping and more. Traffic signalling should also reflect the new urban design practices of focus on pedestrians – when it comes to people concentrated spaces – cars should come second to the safety and amenity of people. - Infrastructure
Auckland deserves world class fibre access, and this means in the first instance a vision of fibre-to-the-premises for businesses and consumers, where practical. John will advocate for Auckland’s fair share and early adoption of fibre through the government’s crown fibre policy, and assist fibre rollout by offering disused and/or current pipe and works infrastructure to assist for fibre ducting and trenching. This could also be done in co-ordination with Auckland Council works that involve streetscape works or where other efficiencies could be found.
John Banks also understands the needs of top quality internet access for rural communities, and has already supported applications from rural parts of Greater Auckland like Great Barrier Island.
Banks will push for Auckland WIFI rollout in Greater Auckland business mainstreets akin to the existing Auckland City WIFI network (a partnership with the private sector), that offers people free access to the Auckland council website and affordable access for the internet.
Focus the expansion of Auckland Council WIFI around Greater Auckland to include important transport nodes like ferry terminals, bus and rail stations, and even on ferries themselves to ensure that this form of public transport becomes as attractive as possible to public transport users.
A John Banks led council will also advocate for improving Auckland’s energy security which has often been put at risk due to a lack of redundancy in the power grid. John supports the NAaN initiative that will help resolve energy transmission security for Greater Auckland, especially the centre and north. John also supports energy efficiency initiatives, which includes more energy efficient buildings, self-sufficiency of electricity supply and renewable energy sources (which include solar, wind and hydro).
John Banks will also seek to improve stormwater and sewage networks, and will seek to ensure Watercare reduces the risk of overflows at Auckland beaches. Under John Banks’s two terms as Mayor, significant work has been done to improve Auckland’s stormwater systems, including the undergrounding of the Hobson Bay pipeline, whose replacement system will practically end the possibility of any sewage overflows on a large part of the eastern beaches of Auckland City. Other work includes the Motions Creek catchment, which was completed in 2010.
Tourism and visitor facilities like the Viaduct Events Centre (now under construction and planned for opening prior to the Rugby World Cup) will also be promoted and advanced. John will also seek to maintain tourist iSites across Greater Auckland, and support the work of Tourism Auckland and their new board in their goals for promoting Auckland as a tourist destination.
John Banks has a vision that a national convention centre would be build in Auckland on its waterfront as a part of the masterplanned development of the Auckland waterfront. John’s vision is that this is ideally located on Bledisloe Wharf, when land is progressively released back to the Auckland public by the Ports of Auckland Ltd. A national convention centre would be a huge economic driver that would create jobs in accomodation, hospitality, tourism and more. Any such convention centre would require Government assistance for the bulk of the funding.
- Healthy environments.
- Wise use of resources
- Transport
- Community developments
- Mental health
No issues on file for Penny Bright.
- SUPPORTING LOCAL IDENTITY
One of the biggest issues I hear from people around the region is whether their local community will retain its local identity in the supercity. People are worried all the money and power will shift to another part of town. We cannot let that happen and if I am elected mayor it won’t.
I have committed to rotating the Council meeting around each of the current council areas. It is important that the new Auckland Council stays in touch with local communities around the region.
Unfortunately many Aucklanders are still in the dark about what their local boards will be involved in. Local boards should be involved in planning and policy related to their communities. They should develop local policy in areas like, for example, dog control, gambling and gaming machines, licensing of cafes, bars and liquor outlets, brothels, and the development of town centres.
Local boards should be responsible for local decisions on local roads, footpaths, pedestrian zones and bus stops, speed limits for local roads, public transport, crime prevention (where CCTV cameras should be sited, for example), community engagement, beautification schemes, building consents, local economic development, animal control, environmental protection, local parks, recreation and sports facilities, libraries and pools, community houses and advisory services, town centre promotion, galleries and museums, beaches, camping grounds, liquor licensing, and more. I also want local boards to be involved in resource management hearings for their areas.
The first Auckland Council will set the values and direction of our region for many years to come. We’ve got to get it right. I want to make sure that local communities are valued and protected in the new structure. - FIXING AUCKLAND’S TRANSPORT
My ambition is to make our city the most liveable city in the world.
One of the biggest issues facing our region is transport. People tell me Auckland would be so much better if it was a little easier to get around. Two million people will call our region home in 2031 – they all cannot fit on the roading network. We need to give people options for getting around our region.
Auckland needs a public transport system that gives workers and students a cheap, fast and comfortable option to get to and from work or education.
We can then unclog our roads so businesses can move their freight and people around more efficiently. That will drive productivity and help with economic development.
It’s time to get Auckland moving:
- In order to unclog our roads we need a transport transformation. I will be focused on progressing three key projects: a rail link to the airport, a CBD rail loop and a second harbour crossing to take rail up to Albany
- I will make better use of our beautiful harbour by extending our ferry network and fixing up our wharfs
- I will ensure the successful roll out of electric trains and integrated ticketing
- I will focus on finishing the motorway network
For more information on my transport policy visit: www.lenbrownformayor.co.nz - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FAIR RATES
I am committed to keeping rates low. My background is to keep rate increases close to the rate of council inflation and I have delivered no increase in water rates.
For New Zealand to succeed, Auckland needs to thrive. I am committed to powering up Auckland’s economy. The new Auckland Council needs to work alongside business to develop our region.
We need:
- To fix Auckland’s transport – finishing the motorway network, rail link to the airport, CBD rail loop and a second harbour crossing
- Standardise the regulations and rules governing business
- Drive efficiency in the new Council
- Establish a business council to work alongside the Auckland Council to help develop our region
- Develop a world-class convention centre to help attract big events and more visitors to our city
- Deliver a functional cruise ship terminal
- A clear vision for developing our waterfront
- Develop a new spatial plan for the Auckland region which will set our direction for the next fifty 50 years and give businesses the certainty they need to invest - NO PRIVATISATION OF OUR PUBLIC ASSETS
Many people are rightly concerned that our public assets could be privatised by the new Auckland Council. If I am elected mayor there will be no privatisation of our Water Company, airport shares or Ports of Auckland.
Unlike others, I will not flip-flop on this issue.
My council retained its airport shares while Auckland City Council, under its current mayor, privatised theirs.
Our shares provide us with ongoing revenue that help pay for services like free pools and help us keep our rate increases close to the rate of inflation.
My council also retained its stock of housing for the elderly, again while the Auckland City Council looked to privatise theirs (eventually selling to the government). The units provide our older residents with a safe, secure place to live.
You can trust me to look after our region’s public assets. - STRONG INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP
Auckland needs inclusive, not divisive, leadership to bring our region together and make sure local community identity is retained in the supercity.
It needs a mayor who can get things done. Who values our region’s diversity and our common pride in being Aucklanders.
My Council will be focused on delivering on the three key pillars that build a great city: strong economic growth, a clean environment and cohesive communities.
My way of doing things is to come up with a plan, consult the community, make a decision and then move forward.
We need to create momentum in our region to get things done.
I will be the mayor for ALL of Auckland.
- Reduce Congestion and Pollution
Introducing the following policies can virtually remove congestion
a) 90% green lighting on major CBD entry roads 6-9am, 4pm-7pm
b) Free up exits from motorways
c) Co-ordinate lights on arterial roads
d) Build 4 short tunnels to double access for 7 major roads
• Save $2 billion per year
• Save 40 lives per year
• Reduce air pollution by 50%
Reducing congestion costs will:
• Improve productivity, wages and profits
• Save on City and private expenses
• Provide an opportunity to hold rates
• Allow modest capital expenditure - A New Transportation Strategy
Most Aucklanders will agree that the current transport strategies in Auckland do not work. My strategy is to:
a) Look at the modern more affordable technology alternatives that are available for passenger transport
b) Introduce proper transport evaluation processes like Benefit Cost Analyses for all existing & proposed transport projects - Development Ideas
Create Assets for Auckland with new developments
a) East Manukau Harbour 'Riviera' transformation
Rejunvenate this part of Auckland with a new Auckland Square, Convention Centre, Rowing Course, Marinas, Hotels, Promenades & Apartments
b) Queen & Quay St above verandah walkway & seating
c) Old Railway Yards development - Direct & Monitor Council Controlled Organizations
a) Set Targets, Criteria & Key Performance Indicators
b) Ensure Council Controlled Organisations deliver on Local Boards Plans, Policies and Decisions
- Address Problems
There are multiple areas where city policy can be rejuvenated and refined. We need to review, fix and improve:
a) City Consents' Processes – Introduce Commercial Service Levels
b) Developers Levies – Reduce, as current Levies are too high
c) Maintenance plans with the aim to rejuvenate neglected areas
d) Coastal Management
e) Planning and Numbers of Retail Centers
f) Privet tree removal across city
- The Best City In The South Pacific.
I was born here and I believe Auckland can be the success story of the South Pacific. I would find out if you share my view through referendum and ratepayer surveys. - Leaky Homes Crisis.
I reject the current ‘leaky deal’ and I would instead adopt a completely different co-operative approach. - Transport.
We have to improve transport in Auckland. I would start by supporting the Anzac Centenary Bridge proposal - we would get ten general traffic lanes (potentially two dedicated bus and/or heavy traffic lanes), two light rail tracks and purpose-built walking and cycling facilities. - Keeping Auckland Lean.
In my current business, I manage $1 billion of assets. I know how to implement a business-like approach to minimise rates. - Keeping Auckland Local.
I’ll protect your local identity. I’ll empower local boards to make local decisions, including on rates and expenditure. I’ll facilitate local initiatives, not block or direct them.
No issues on file for Nga Dave.
No issues on file for Harry Fong.
- Public Transport
- Family Violence
- Voter Apathy
- Environment
- Do people actually want this to happen?
No issues on file for Vinnie Kahui.
No issues on file for Alan McCulloch.
No issues on file for Steve McDonald.
- TRANSPORT
More efficeint cost effective tranport with better transport links and shorter travelling times. - ROADING
A plan to complete the roading network and a definitive decision about about the harbour crossing. - GST ON RATES
GST on rates is a tax on a tax. Government must be lobbied to have this removed. - ASSET SALES
Assets should remain in the hands of all Aucklanders. - GRAFFITI
Graffiti must be removed within 24 hours and the law changed to brings cuplrits to justice quickly.
No issues on file for Phil O'Connor.
- Leadership: full, fair and effective representation: local democracy
- Economic Wellbeing: including employment and equal opportunity
- Social Wellbeing: including housing, substance abuse
- Transport
- Urban Development and Design (including waterfront and heritage)
No issues on file for Raymond Presland.
- Politicians doing what they want instead of what you want. Tell me what you want http://www.supermayor.co.nz
- Lack of Common Sense Decision Making
- Lack of Accountability in everything
- Auckland's Horrendous Traffic Systems, and Crime rates.
Christchurch: Rebuilding it better than it was in the Burwood Pegasus Electorate. - Auckland unable to put a tent on a wharf, build a waterfront stadium, hold a street race, run a successful event and to that matter do anything right under the current crop of useless politicians.
Christchurch: Full transparency for locals, not back room decisions by scumbag political parties.
- To fight unemployment: Shorten the work
week with no loss in pay. Pay unemployment
benefits to all workers who are jobless,
without restriction. For a government-funded
public works programme to create jobs and
build or upgrade housing, schools, childcare,
hospitals, and public transportation. - No cuts to council services and facilities
that working people use and need. Abolish
user charges, fees, and indirect taxes like water
rates, road taxes, and GST. - Defend and extend union organisation to
combat attacks by the employers and government.
Oppose the 90-day probation bill. - No one should be denied treatment at hospitals
and medical clinics, or access to education,
because of their immigration status or
a lack of funds. - For workers control of line speed and all
aspects of health and safety on the job. No
forced overtime.
- Independent Progressive Leadership
Auckland needs an experienced independent Mayoral voice - not politically influenced - who will speak for and on behalf of the people. I am a man of the people and offer open minded, progressive, lateral thinking where the real issues and outcomes are the priority for our communities and the region as a whole. - Looking after the Communities of Auckland
I am a Mayor who takes care of my community by listening to and acting on the needs of the people. I will continue to look after the communities of Auckland mindful of the diversity of needs, cultures, ages, abilities, and history. - Public Transport
I have championed public transport, transit lanes, shuttle buses on the Northern Busway, airport buses, electric trains, ferries, free off peak fares for our seniors and reduced fares for students. We will provide a fully integrated transport system to get Auckland moving and as Mayor I will take a lead role in this.
- Infrastructure, Economic Growth and Problem Solving
An efficient prosperous Auckland will require quality infrastructure that provides connectivity to service a growing economy. With a strong business background, I have overseen significant achievements in this area and will continue to show committed leadership in the Auckland roll-out of much needed major infrastructure, e.g. the next harbour crossing
In terms of problem solving, two first priorities as North Shore Mayor were to solve the outstanding impasses of the Albany Senior High School and the Birkenhead Library - both of which were homeless. Concerned at the impact on these communities, I promised I would address these with urgency, and as a result both were swiftly resolved. With Mayoral leadership we also resolved the Whenuapai Airport controversy and the 18 year Pak 'N Save Wairau Road Supermarket wrangle.
- Public Open Space and a Vibrant City
Auckland is a special lifestyle city in the South Pacific that places a high priority on protecting its environment. We must ensure plenty of green spaces and clean beaches for a growing population. As Mayor I have worked hard to secure many more precious reserves and coastal areas for our city and region....and will continue to do so for all of Auckland.
I actively support the arts, culture, sports, entertainment, business, and tourism which together create a vibrant international city and region. Aucklanders will take pride in all that the city has to offer its people and visitors.
No issues on file for David Willmott.
No issues on file for Wayne Young.
