LOCAL NEWS
The Wairangi Wharf
RICHARD NORTHEY:
WAITEMATĀ LOCAL BOARD CHAIR We have been consulting on our council and Waitematā Local Board budget. Our board successfully advocated to council to retain our range and quality of council services, to progress the Ponsonby Park project and the restoration and upgrade of the Leys Institute, and to agree with the three-quarters of our residents who supported a targeted rate to enable council effectively action to combat climate change. This targeted rate would reinforce our board’s own extensive and diverse work promoting low carbon lifestyles. The daylighting of the Bayfield Stream and the creation of a better path and bridge linking Coxs Bay Reserve to Wharf Road was celebrated and blessed on Thursday 30 June. The Waitematā Local Board made a total of $30,000 in grants to the Western Springs Football Club to contribute to providing better fields and women player facilities, largely in response to being allocated hosting rights for an international team to train there during next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Wairangi Wharf (above) and the paths through Point Erin Park have been restored and we have decided to enhance the play equipment in that park, choosing the option preferred in public consultation. Wellpark Reserve has a new bridge, and in Myers Park, the restoration of the historic cottage and installing a notable artwork as part of improvements to the lower entrance to the park are proceeding now. The Waitematā Local Board consulted on providing a new loop track in the Western Springs Forest and, when the great majority of submitters supported it, resolved to proceed with the project. At our May and June meetings we made grants to a wide range of valuable community organisations and projects. One of our grant recipients, the Holding Spaces Aotearoa Collective of Composers, promoting climate change action, played an example of their inspiring music at our May Board meeting. Covid-19 has, both directly and indirectly, been the major cause of increased stress, crime, unwanted night-time noise, drunkenness, intimidation, and anti-social behaviour throughout Auckland, but particularly in our inner-city town centres and business districts. I have been pleased that the council staff, Eke Panuku, business association members, residents, local MPs and councillors have joined local board members in working together to find ways to restore safety, address homelessness, reduce anti-social behaviour in these trying times, and to welcome students, visitors, artists and other people back to these areas. We are working regularly with these bodies to enhance the resurgence of the central
20 PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2022
Songwriters 4 Climate Action
city which is now well underway. The celebration of Matariki, with exciting events throughout the city, also enhanced this resurgence. The council has just concluded the first stage of its consultation on potential changes to the council’s unitary plan, particularly the strengthening of its housing intensification provisions, which are now required of metropolitan councils by legislation passed jointly by the National and Labour Parties. I agree that it is a high priority to act effectively to respond to the housing crisis by providing more affordable housing close to community facilities and infrastructure, particularly in our inner suburbs. However, we ought also to protect our heritage and the best of our urban character and quality of family life in the city and our inner suburbs. We will carefully consider the views local residents have expressed on these issues now the time has come for us to give our feedback as a board on them. Our next Waitematā Local Board meeting is on Tuesday 12 July from 1pm. People who want to speak in public forum are welcome to apply to speak and to join the meeting at the board office in Swanson Street. For others, it is being held on Microsoft Teams. If you want a less public dialogue with us, you can arrange to meet board members at our community clinic on 13 July from 7pm. (RICHARD NORTHEY) PN I can always be contacted on 021 534 546, E: richard.northey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
