Photos from the Sod Turning ceremony on 31 July 2020:
News
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Recent News
Auckland Council Emergency Budget 2020/2021
Posted: 18 July 2020
The Auckland Council Emergency Budget, created to take into account a half-billion dollar revenue hit from COVID-19, was passed on Thursday 16 July 2020:
- 500 Council jobs will go
- Rates will increase on average of 3.5%
- Council will need to sell $224 million of assets in the next eight months.
The rise in rates has promoted numerous queries and Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore has issued this response to rate rise criticism Rates Response Deputy Mayor 202007.
Little Sod
Posted: 18 July 2020
Finally … Section 2 of the GI to Tamaki Dr Shared Path Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai is underway with the first sod getting turned on 31 July 2020. For details of the construction plan see the AT Press Release.
Neighbours Day – Postponed
Posted: 6 February 2020
Ōrākei Local Board and Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association would like to invite you to join our 2020 Neighbours Day celebration – date to be advised.
We are organising great activities, including; photo competition, photo exhibition, historic photo treasure hunting, community heritage walks, food and drink, and of course, prizes for the best photos.
Here are few hints to help you with the photo competition:
Wildlife & Green Spaces – subjects could be animals, small creatures, birds or wildflowers and plants among local reserves and parks. Focussing on a subject with green or open space in the background would make the image more interesting.
People & Everyday Life – photos of people that we see and relate to everyday – teachers, shoppers in the mall, delivery people, work colleagues, family and friends – each going on with their daily routine, perhaps someone of special interest to the photographer.
Buildings & Architecture – look for old, new, unusual or especially architecturally designed buildings, perhaps of historical or community value.
Historic Photo Treasure Hunt – look for buildings no longer existing or ones that have been restored or extended – e.g. houses, shop buildings, churches, schools.
Participate in one or all the activities, meet your neighbours and be in to win a prize too.
Aircraft Noise – Complaint Process and Monitoring
Posted: 3 February 2020
Do low flying aircraft in our suburbs bother you? Our representatives on the ACNN group, Orakei Local Board member, Troy Churton, and local resident Kevin Kevany work with Auckland Airport on noise issues on our behalf. The airport has a sophisticated system for tracking public complaints about aircraft noise, but it does require people to go online or log a phone call and wait for assistance. Arguably many complaints go unrecorded as many people don’t bother to go online at the time of the nuisance which is often in the early hours of the morning.
The airport are very clear that they do not have an email complaint function due to the fact that dealing with email complaints creates a lot of administrative time and effort reconciling public concerns that have been alleged to actual flights, and emails often prove worthless for their data and monitoring. That aside, we think all our residents need to know about Auckland Airport’s aircraft noise complaint tool:
Managing Aircraft Noise – Contact Us
Aircraft noise is an issue for airports all over the world and Auckland Airport partners with airlines, government agencies and the community to ensure how we manage aircraft noise reflects international best practice.
It is helpful if you can identify the flight that is causing the nuisance, you can search for flights on the following website:
Our ACNN representatives advocate strongly for Orakei to receive a temporary noise monitor. There are seven temporary noise monitors in the Auckland region and, from our analysis, only 2 of them are currently in areas known to have a lot of complaints. Although the Orakei Ward does generate quite a number of complaints, there is no monitor in our central area. The airport can move monitors to assess effects from different flight systems so monitor placement is not always about complaint measures.
Auckland Airport continues to resist Orakei Local Board member Troy Churton’s offer for a noise monitor to be mounted on his home or to investigate putting one on a home on the Orakei Road ridge where, we believe, clearer indicators of noise from aircraft across our ward would be possible.
Kevin and Troy are pursing information on the cost implications of more monitors and trying to hold Auckland Airport to account for their ongoing decline to review their monitor placement strategy.
We will continue to update our residents on developments in aircraft noise monitoring in our area.
February Meeting – Orakei Local Board 3-year Plan
Posted: 2 February 2020
The Ōrākei Local Board will soon start to draft their Local Board Plan, which sets the direction of local Council activities in the area for the next three years. As part of their preparation the Board is offering members of all Resident’s Associations in their area opportunities to voice their opinions on what should (and maybe what should not) be in the Plan. Democracy in action!!
The Local Board Engagement Advisor – Ollin Perez Raynaud, is going to attend our February meeting (11/2/20 at 7:30pm), your committee already has a number of issues to raise but please come along to ensure you have your say – as always, NUMBERS COUNT.
This is a key chance for us to tell the Board about our local aspirations, challenges and projects, which will be considered by the Board in their planning. The Board has a very significant budget from Auckland Council and these funds come, to a very large degree from the property rates (a form of taxation) that residents pay.
On the basis of “no taxation without representation” this is our opportunity to ensure Board funds are spent:
- in our suburbs (where a good proportion of the funds come from)
- on projects and areas that are of most concern to residents.
I look forward to seeing as many members as possible at the meeting.
Barry Stewart
Chair
Orakei Local Board Comments to November 2019 Monthly Meeting
Posted: 26 November 2019
We were fortunate to have the newly elected Chairperson of the Orakei Local Board (OLB) Scott Milne speak at our November 2019 monthly meeting, as well as Troy Churton, Troy Elliot and Margaret Voyce also in attendance. We were keen to hear their thoughts on priorities for Orakei Ward over the three year team ahead. Below is a brief summary of the discussion.
The OLB is in good health with a mix of incumbents and newly elected members. They are in the process of getting up to speed and understanding council systems, relationships and processes.
Some priorities that the OLB outlined for our area:
- Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path – this is possibly the toughest job that the OLB faces. They emphasised that it is important that stage 2 is built and not be dependent on stage 4 also being constructed. The Auckland Transport (AT) board has changed with new people in place. Scott emphasised that the OLB needs to continue building a constructive relationship with AT to work together to improve progress. He noted that our successful One Local Initiative (OLI) in the long term plan of the Gowing Dr and John Rymer Place links to the shared path that would connect both sides of Pourewa Valley (and connect kids with their schools) are dependent on the shared path being built. Scott said “The new board is determined not to let go of the bone” referring to the success of securing funding for the links.
- Meadowbank Community Centre – the community centre redevelopment is being funded by selling the Victoria Ave old CAB building. This has been completed successfully. The Tahapa Hall will also be sold to fund the redevelopment, but only once the redevelopment has been completed as to provide a venue for groups to use while the construction takes place. Detailed designs are not yet available.
- Waiatarua Wetland Reserve – the OLB is keen to complete the Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan and have a clear pathway for future investment in the wetland reserve. They are keen to ensure that it continues functioning as a wetland and that the reserve is used appropriately e.g. that dogs stay out of the wetland areas and that the sediment removal systems do their job. Scott said that there is a lot of space in the reserve and that good, fair and balanced solutions are definitely possible for all those who wish to use the reserve.
Mayor Phil Goff will be visiting the OLB area in late January 2020 to visit the major project sites including the shared path site and the Gowing Drive and John Rymer Place connection sites (funding secured in the OLI) to understand the area and the benefits these projects will bring to the community.
Our youngest residents association member (aged 10) asked a question from the floor about what the OLB intends to do to tackle climate change. Scott noted that the shared path and local links to it would contribute to fewer car trips and also encourage people to take alternative and more active methods of transport. He also emphasised that there is a long list of little things that collectively add up that we can all do to change the way we think and consider more climate friendly options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Waiatarua Reserve Submission
Posted: 4 November 2019
Having been made aware of the Council’s intention to re-examine the future of the Waiatarua Reserve by commissioning an Enhancement Plan, we arranged for Hayley Dauben, Parks and Places Specialist at Auckland Council, the author of the Plan to speak at one of our monthly meetings.
Out of that meeting residents raised the possibility of creating a small area within the reserve, in addition to the existing playground, for family friendly recreation which would necessarily need to be on-leash for dogs. From this idea came our formal submission to the Orakei Local Board and the Board agreed that this concept should be considered for inclusion in the plan. As a result, Hayley Dauben has set up a forum where interested parties will be given the opportunity to debate our submission with a view to finding an acceptable way forward.
To dispel some of the misinformation that has been circulating on this issue, particularly through social media, we have produced some FAQ’s as follows:
Is MBSJRA “anti-dog”?
Absolutely and categorically not – 3 out of 9 of our Committee members are dog owners and in any case, all Committee members understand and accept the close relationship that dog owners have with their pets and the importance of that relationship.
Is MBSJRA “anti off-leash dog areas”?
Absolutely and categorically not – the Committee’s collective understanding and acceptance is that the Reserve is highly valued as one of the local off-leash dog areas.
What was the essential substance of the MBSJRA submission to the Orakei Local Board?
The submission which has always been publicly available, asked that in addition to the small off-leash dog area within the Reserve, a small portion of additional land be set aside for family recreation purposes that would necessarily be on-leash for dogs. This submission has not changed and is the same as it has always been.
If granted, would this additional family area impact on the present off-leash dog area?
In our view, not at all, or at the very most, only to a very negligible degree. It would not impact on walking the outer loop path in the reserve nor necessitate removing any vegetation.
What is the relevant size of the proposed area?
The total area of the Reserve is approximately 42 hectares of which the area available for off-leash dogs is approximately 16 hectares (the balance of approximately 26 hectares is taken up by the wetlands/wildlife area in the centre of the reserve). The area contemplated as a “family friendly” recreation area is less than 0.3 hectares which is around 0.7% of the total area of the reserve or around 1.9% of the current off leash dog area. With 84% of households in Auckland not owning dogs, we believe that this proposed area is reasonable.
Is there another option for the location of the proposed family recreation area within the Reserve?
Yes but the only other option currently being discussed (close to the present playground) is flood prone and therefore often very wet and so not practical for the intended purpose in the winter.
Is Waiatarua Reserve the only off-leash dog area in Auckland?
Auckland Council sources show that there are 2,500 off leash dog areas in the city of which 39 are in the Orakei Ward.
If granted, does this change mean the gradual encroachment of off-leash dog activities at Waiatarua Reserve?
Our Association has no plans for any further submissions on the use of the Reserve and since the time frame of the present Plan is likely to around 20 years, it seems highly improbable that any further changes will be sought in the medium to long term.
Do you have any further questions?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require any further information on this or any other issues in our suburbs.
Have Your Say On Gowing Drive Road Safety Improvements
Posted: 1 November 2019
At last we have the proposal from Auckland Transport (AT) for improving road safety on Gowing Drive. AT has extended the deadline for feedback, which is now open until 29 November 2019. See the letter form Auckland Transport about the proposal distributed to households in Gowing Drive and surrounds, and also the map with detailed plans for more information. Auckland Transport are also holding a community drop-in session on Saturday 2nd November between 11am and 2pm at the Meadowbank Shopping Centre, 35-47 St Johns Rd, St Johns. AT’s project team will present plans, answer your questions and talk through concerns you may have.
Detailed information is available on Auckland Transport’s website with an online form you can complete – just two questions, don’t wait and do it today!
We are grateful for the time and expertise that AT have spent on this project and we are cautiously optimistic that it will address many of the safety issues that have been raised. The main issue that the plan does not address is the safety of pedestrians crossing Gowing Drive – we had advocated for a pedestrian crossing, and we will consider whether there might be other options we can pursue to convince AT that this is is important for our community and our school children.
As well as reducing traffic speed, a pedestrian crossing between Rutherford Terrace and Archdall Street provides far safer pedestrian access for:
- Children and parents walking to and from local primary schools; this will support the development of a walking school bus as well as lead to reduced congestion at the Temple St/Lucia Glade entrance-way to Mt Carmel Primary School, which serves the majority of the school’s roll.
- Family groups walking or using scooters to and from a popular picnic spot, Scout hall and playground at Rutherford Reserve on Archdall Street.
- Residents walking to the dairy and popular food outlets on the busy corner of Dorchester Road and St Johns Road, or to the Meadowbank shopping centre.
- Commuters taking buses from either St Johns Road or Gowing Drive.
What the heck is going on – further delays on GI to Tamaki Drive Shared Path
Posted: 24 October 2019
Auckland Transport (AT) have released a media statement outlining the process for building Stage 2 (thorugh the Pourewa Valley) and Stage 4 (across Hobson Bay) of the shared path. Most disappointingly, timelines have slipped significantly further and reading the media release there are certainly a lot of “ifs” in the wording that raises a lot of questions – namely what the heck is going on here?!
Five years ago in November 2014 AT organised a public meeting in Meadowbank seeking feedback on the proposal and in October 2015 this was the projected timeline:
In March 2019 we were given the following timeline and we were extremely dismayed at the delays:
As of the latest media release, both section 2 and section 4 are “subject to funding approvals” and no timelines are currently available at all, other than a decision will be made by the end of the first quarter in 2020.
We have watched delayed weeks slip away and turn into delayed years… and more years… Our children are growing up without being able to cross the valley to school, people who were looking forward to cycling to work are retiring, and 3 years after the first section of the shared path opened, it still leads nowhere. How did it get to this? Surely the difficult terrain and design and construction challenges have been well and truly investigated before now?
We have asked everyone we could possibly contact about this but haven’t been able to get any answers on what is going on with the project. It has been especially difficult with the recent election and the Orakei Local Board (OLB) are yet to have their first meeting. We will keep asking questions and seeking answers.
First and foremost we want to see Stage 2 of this path (through the Pourewa Valley) completed and the local links that also provide cross valley access to be constructed. There are many places to go once you’ve reached Orakei Station, but there is no way to get up/down the Pourewa Valley, and no (safe) way to get across the valley. This is why Stage 2 of the path is so important and the reason why the council funding for the local links was successful in the first place – because it provides links to our communities and the shared path from both sides of the valley. Kids can walk and bike to school and college, and Meadowbank Station becomes just a few minutes from Kohimarama. There would be no problems with parking at the station either yay! And we need this path now, not in another five years time, or further way.
We wonder how does the OLB feel about funding the Tahapa Reserve upgrade including spending money on connecting paths that now don’t have anywhere to connect with? What does this mean for the OLB and council funding from the long term plan that was secured to build the local links to the path, providing a route across the valley from Gowing Dr to John Rymer Place? We rely on our elected representatives to advocate for the Orakei Ward and Orakei Local Board area. This shared path and its local links was chosen as their #1 project for funding because it commanded substantial community support and huge benefits. We are relying on them to see this project to completion.
We are looking forward to AT delivering the promised community consultation in October 2019… or if not October, then ASAP. Irrespective of whether the project gets delayed further (heck, we’re used to that by now), there’s no reason not to share the detailed design. The detailed design was sufficiently done in April 2019 to announce construction starting in October 2019, so we just don’t understand what the delay is in getting the information out to the public.
We just don’t think this situation is good enough for our community. Come along to our monthly meetings on Tuesday 12 November and Tuesday 10 December to find out the latest from our elected representatives. You can also email and tell them why the shared path is important to you and your community and ask for more information. Don’t let the construction of this fantastic asset for our community become further delayed or even worse, no secure the necessary funding.
Artists impression of the Glen Innes – Tamaki Drive Shared Path Stage 2, which passes through the Pourewa Valley to the north of Meadowbank