The Auckland Plan will be the most important document to set out the development of Auckland over the next 30 years.  I feel really excited and hopeful about what is in the draft to make Auckland the most liveable city in the world. At the same time it concerns me that the consultation period has been too short and happening while we have all been distracted by the Rugby World Cup. .

Luckily many clever people have focused on the draft plan to come up with a range of thoughtful comments that have assisted me to pull together a quick personal submission.  I’ve followed the questions from the online feedback form just to make it easier to respond.

 I’ve drawn particular inspiration from Auckland Transport Blog, EDS, Grey Lynn 2030, Mount Eden Village People, Pt Chev TT and Cycle Action submissions. Thank you for your work and caring so much about the future of Auckland.

Draft Auckland Plan

Q1 There will need to be five transformational shifts to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city. Do you agree or disagree with the five transformational shifts identified in the draft Auckland Plan and why?

I agree with the five transformational shifts required to make Auckland the most liveable city in the world. In particular I strongly support:

•  All the strategies outlined in Transformational Shift 3 for green growth. It is vital we clean up our air, creeks and sea and build green networks that encourage rich biodiversity. It is also critical we maintain the highest “green” standards for new buildings and work to eliminate waste to landfill.
• Public transport as well as cycling and walking networks are vital to underpinning the interconnectedness of our city. I would like to see a re-prioritisation away from the private motor car. Fewer cars would also make cycling safer and more appealing. I strongly support a regional fuel tax which would encourage people to get out of their cars and would provide funding for improved public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure.

Q2 The Auckland Plan contains a high-level development strategy to deliver a compact quality Auckland. Do you agree or disagree with this approach and why?

I support the strategic direction outlined in Section D: Auckland’s High Level Development Strategy: Part 1: Making a Quality Compact City Work. Specifically I support:

• The use of a new Rural Urban Boundary (RUB) as essential to avoid urban sprawl, to limit environmental degradation, to protect the food producing capacity of the Auckland region and to use infrastructure as efficiently as possible.
• I support more compact and intensive residential and business environments centred around quality local neighbourhoods and connected by an efficient, effective and safe public transport network, including cycle paths and walkways, operating as an integrated system. However more intensification within a RUB must also provide for the maintenance and enhancement of our character and heritage housing and buildings.

 Q3 Two big initiatives have been identified to effect Auckland’s transformation on the world stage – City Centre and Southern Initiative. Do you agree or disagree with these two big initiatives?

I agree with these initiatives

Draft Economic Development Strategy

 Q4 Do you agree or disagree with the priorities that have been identified for Auckland’s economic development and why?

I agree with the priorities and in particular support the transition to a green economy in Auckland. I would like to see more details about what it will mean in practice to create a sustainable eco-economy and how this will be intergrated into all aspects of the EDS.

Q5 Are there any other economic priorities that the council should focus on?

I support  the EDS vision for Auckland to be the most livable city in the world with an internationally competitive and prosperous economy for all Aucklanders. I submit that achieving Fair Trade certification should be included in the EDS as a key action. By becoming an internationally recognized Fair Trade city  Auckland will be in a stronger position to be an internationally connected, export driven and ‘creative world’ city. Achieving certification will promote business partnerships, enhance Auckland’s ethical reputation and create new commerce by helping to build diverse ethnic eco economy with our Pacific neighbours and the 1000 cities across the world, already with Fair Trade status.

Draft City Centre Masterplan

Q6 Do you agree or disagree with the general direction of the draft City Centre Masterplan and why?

I strongly support the bold vision of the masterplan.  

During the RWC we have seen how much people love a city that is welcoming, accessible, walkable and vibrant. I support all 8 transformational moves that realise the huge potential of the city centre that has suffered from poor development and lack of vision in the past.  

 Q7 Will the actions in the masterplan make Auckland city centre a place you would feel proud of and why?

 I will feel really proud of Auckland if we can make it a priority to action quick wins that will really transform the city centre, in particular:

• Making Nelson and Hobson Streets people friendly and installing a dedicated cycle lane
• Removing the lower Hobson Street ramp and creating a pedestrian plaza
• pedestrian and cycling links from the inner suburbs including turning the old Nelson Street off-ramp into a linear parkway
• More shared spaces,   “green links”, laneways and boulevards – everything that will make our city centre more friendly to people

 Draft Waterfront Plan

 Q8 Do you agree or disagree with the general direction of the draft Waterfront Plan and why?

I strongly agree with the vision for the Waterfront and commend the large number of projects that will further transform Auckland’s waterfront. In particular I support actions to provide public access and connections.  

 Q9 Will the ideas and actions in the plan make Auckland’s waterfront a place you would feel proud of and why?

 I think priority should be given to:

• the walk- and cycleway proposed along the whole of the waterfront
• a cycling bridge link over Fanshawe Street at Victoria Park
•  a walk- and cycleway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge – for a great transport choice from the North Shore, and a major new visitor attraction for the waterfront

I would like to see future development at Wynyard Quarter include a committment to affordable and key worker housing.

Q10 Comments on other parts of the above plans

I strongly  oppose the inclusion of the Puhoi – Wellsford motorway in the Auckland Plan. There are very limited benefits for Auckland from its construction. Safety improvements to the existing route are much more feasible and would cost substantially less than $1.4 billion.

 The prioritisation of so many roading projects undermines targets in the Auckland Plan relating to other matters, such as reducing CO2 emissions and limiting urban sprawl.

I would like to see actions to reduce CO2 emissions integrated into all aspects of all four plans.

Overall I congratulate Auckland Council officers for producing such a well-written document, grounded in a strong vision as expressed by the Mayor. I am impressed that the plan seeks to confront the many challenges facing Auckland and supports a transition to a more sustainable, resilient and vibrant city.

I am making this submission in my private capacity.

Presentation given to the Environment and Sustainability Forum on 20 September 2011. The Chair, Cr Wayne Walker is an enthusiastic supporter of community gardens.

Kia Ora Koutou Katoa

Thank you Chair and Councillors for the opportunity to speak to the Forum this afternoon.  It is very exciting that you have the Community Garden report on your agenda under item 12. I am here today to speak in support of the report and to encourage the governing body to take an active approach to community gardens across the Auckland region. 

Hopefully you know me as Deputy Chair of the Waitemata Local Board. I have portfolio responsibilities for Transport, Libraries and Community. I am also able to provide an additional comment to the report wearing various hats:

•     I am trustee of the Kelmarna Community Garden Trust
•     A steering Committee member of Grey Lynn 2030 – transition community; and
•     Chair of the Grey Lynn Farmers Market Management Committee

In these roles I see the value and benefits of community gardens every day.

Kelmarna Organic City Farm has just celebrated 30 years of existence on a block of Council owned land in Herne Bay that borders Cox’s Bay. The objects of the Trust are as relevant today as when first adopted by the trustees in 1981. In particular:

•  To maintain Kelmarna Gardens as a community research and demonstration resource promoting self-sufficiency using organic horticultural techniques
• To encourage the use of waste or marginal land for the recycling of community organic wastes and the growing of food to promote better nutrition, education, employment and beautification of the environment

Framework Trust manages the gardens providing opportunities for educational gardening for mental health clients in a tranquil and therapeutic green-space.  Issues for the garden going forward include funding for basic facilities on site and providing the surrounding neighbourhood with a sense of ownership to a unique rural space right in the city. I invite you to visit the gardens if you are not familiar with the area.

Mentioned in your report is Transition Towns as one of the key organisations engaged with community gardens. There are over 50 transition town groups like Grey Lynn 2030 across NZ. In Auckland in addition to Devonport TT that is mentioned in the report there is Mt Eden Village people, Pt Chev and new group in the process of forming in Kingsland. Grey Lynn 2030 is about creating sustainable, resilient, vibrant communities through positive, practical action.

A really good example of practical action under the umbrella of Grey Lynn 2030 is the Wilton Street Gardens. Sarah Guppy from the garden has already given her own presentation but just to mention that many of the images (taken by chief gardener Mandy McMullin)  are of progress of the garden from an over grown vacant section  to a productive wee oasis off Richmond Road which  acts as a hub for the community especially the surrounding neighbours. The gardens also provide a community composting facility. The gardens are on private land, run by volunteers and have received small amounts of Council funding

 Another of our local gardeners here today is Fionna Hill from the Grey Lynn Community Garden nestled behind St Columba Church on Surrey Crescent. These gardens offer a more allotment style of gardening for individuals who commit to the garden. 

What I particular value about both gardens is that excess produce often ends up on the community trading table at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market. The table is available for a small fee for locals to sell excess produce from their gardens.   Similar to a road side stall with honesty boxes, the table is a hugely popular, unique aspect of the GLFM that is part of the overall linkages of urban food production (as a side note I mention that our trading table is under treat due to the Food Bill)

There is an initial stocktake table on p17 Attachment A of your report . I can also add Grafton Community Garden which has recently established in the grounds of Grafton Hall. What you will find is that very often community gardens spring up under the radar with quiet doers who just want to get on with the job of food production on spare land.  There would also be more gardens within the Waitemata Local Board area if we didn’t have so much soil contamination issues. For example a group trying to establish a garden in Freeman’s Bay gave up after soil testing and a community orchard in West Lynn was also abandoned because of concerns about contamination.

Following on from that community overview,  I would like to end with the Waitemata Local Board’s perspective. In June the Wilton Street gardeners spoke to us at our local board meeting. We moved

b) That the Board notes the benefits provided by community gardens and supports the principle of community gardens.

c) That this resolution be forwarded to the Environmental and Sustainability Forum of the Governing Body for consideration.

I’d also like to highlight the wording we are currently finalising in our local board plan. You have the community garden elements of each draft local board in Attachment G at p33. However the Waitemata Local Board goes somewhat further with an Urban Food Production section. I would like to read this out as I think it sums up very clear out position on community gardens

Community gardens, roof top gardens and fruit trees in public places are growing in popularity, as a response to the challenges of climate change, food security and rising food costs. They provide opportunities to grow and eat fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly for people living in high-density urban areas with little or no garden space of their own. Community gardens are also a great way for our communities to get to know each other and work together. We will support projects and initiatives in our area identified by our community. We will also increase planting of fruit trees in our parks, berms and public open spaces.

We included specific reference to food security in this section after hearing submissions on our plan.

One of our key initiatives:  Support an urban food economy through community gardens and fruit trees in parks and public open spaces

Going forward I see Council support for community garden activity in a number of ways that supports this grass roots community activity that brings so many benefits. For example identifying land available,  undertaking soil testing, local composting within the waste minimisation strategy and promoting the benefits of volunteering

Therefore I commend you Mr Chair on the steps taken so to raise awareness about community gardens at governing body level and ask for the Forum’s support for the actions arising out of the report

Thank you for this opportunity to talk to you today. I am happy to answer any questions

The draft Waitemata Local Board Plan has now been out for a week for consultation and so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Yesterday at a presentation on the priorities, initiatives and projects we are proposing for the next 3 years one attendee gave us a score of 92% (thank you Mr Houtman from OurHood and passionate tram advocate!).

The draft plan is full of innovative and creative ideas put forward by the community that will make the central areas of Auckland the best place to live, work and play. Across all the priorities is a strong sustainability and environmental focus.

We now need to make sure that this initial enthusiasm translates into submissions so we end up with a robust final plan with broad support. And of course we also need to know what locals don’t like in the draft plan. Already a number of areas for improvement have been raised; for example more focus on the needs of older people, clarification about the Board’s role in supporting business and better recognition of Pacifika culture.

Submissions can be made online here

The plan is available on the Auckland Council website or email pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you would like me to send you a hard copy.  

Auckland Council Media Release
1 July 2011

Blueprint to shape future of local communities

Better heritage protection, slower speeds on some residential streets, a Parnell to Meola Reef coastal walkway, and a network of cycle ways are among the community priorities reflected in a new local blueprint for Waitemata.

The initiatives form part of a draft local board plan prepared by Waitemata Local Board, which sets out the aspirations and priorities of the communities in Auckland’s city centre and inner suburbs and will guide decisions the local board makes on what happens in the area over the next three years and beyond.

A summary of the draft plan, with a submission form, is being posted to every home in Waitemata in the week beginning 4 July.

Waitemata Local Board Chair Shale Chambers says the ground-breaking plan is a blueprint that will shape the future of the local community.

“From enhancing Pt Erin Pool and developing a coastal walkway to prioritising healthy transport options and moves to better protect our heritage buildings, this plan reflects the priorities of the people of Waitemata as we work towards developing and fostering vibrant, connected and sustainable communities.”

Local board plans, which are being prepared by each of Auckland’s 21 local boards, will feed into other key Auckland Council plans, such as the Auckland Plan and Long Term Plan 2012-22.

“I encourage the people of Waitemata to look at the draft plan and let your local board know before August 8 whether it’s on the right track.  We will listen and decide what changes will be made to the plan before a final version is adopted in October,” Mr Chambers says.

Submissions can be made online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/haveyoursay, or by returning a completed form to a public library, council service centre or by post using the freepost envelope provided.

Copies of your draft local board plan are available at:       

•         public libraries, council service centres and local board offices
•         online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/haveyoursay
•         Auckland Council customer centre – call toll free (09) 301 0101

Submissions close at 4pm on Monday 8 August. At a later date local boards will hold hearings to consider submissions.

At our first meeting of the year we supported the Art Deco Society to protect the character and heritage buildings of the Wynward Quarter.

Fittingly, the next day we had our briefing from Waterfront Auckland (the newly branded Waterfront Development Agency) with the opportunity to walk around the current development happening  in the Wynyard Quarter. I was very impressed with the well thought through plans for Jellicoe Street and plaza with an appreciation of the history of the area intertwinned with the design. I particularly liked the inviting people spaces and street scape.

It really brought home the total disconnect of the old Auckland City Council and Viaduct Harbour Holdings in making plans to demolish half of the remaining heritage building in the design for the rest of the Quarter. A total rethink is needed by VHH Ltd.

Media Release: Board acts decisively to protect heritage (dated 9 February 2011):

Heritage issues throughout the central city formed the basis of last night’s meeting of the Waitemata Local Board at the Grey Lynn Community Centre.

The meeting, attended by a large number of local residents, focused on a number of significant heritage issues at the forefront of residents’ minds across the central city.

The meeting included resolutions on the reinstatement project for Three Lamps, and an acquisition proposal for Hulme Court, but the major urban transformation project under development in the Wynyard Quarter was the major focus of proceedings.

“The recent demolition of Turua Street and Coolangatta House are timely reminders of the need to protect our heritage and character buildings before the wrecking ball looms large,” says Waitemata Board Chair Shale Chambers.

“Wynyard Quarter is an area with its own character which derives from its industrial and boating building past.  It was reclaimed from the sea from 1905 and, while the buildings may not be as iconic as many of the scheduled buildings in the CBD, they are an important aspect of the life of Auckland.”

“It may not be our [the Waitemata Local Board's] delegated authority to protect these buildings, but it is certainly our mandate.”

The board voted unanimously to support the Art Deco Society in its endeavours to preserve the Wynyard Quarter character buildings.

Other important heritage issues were also progressed at the meeting.  The reinstatement of the ‘three lamps’ to Three Lamps has finally reached a resolution after being first proposed nearly seven years ago.

It has been agreed that the location of the ‘three lamps’ will be outside the former Ponsonby Club Hotel (now the Gluepot Apartments). It is expected that work on the installation of the lamps will begin following discussions with local residents and businesses.

The Board have also asked that the Chief Executive of Auckland Council give serious consideration to bringing the category 1 status heritage building Hulme Court, currently for sale on the corner of Parnell and St Georges Bay Rd, into the public domain.

The next meeting of the Waitemata Local Board will be held at their Graham Street offices on Tuesday 8 March, at 6pm.

Ends

Read more about here

Council gags Board over secret destruction deal, NZ Herald, 9 February 2011

Mayor out to save heritage pair doomed in secret deal NZ Herald, 14 February 2011