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.
It’s local government election time again. It can all seem a bit complicated and hard to figure out who does what, so fear not! We have put together a comprehensive guide to help you choose whose name to put your precious ticks beside. Click here to read our guide to when, where, how and why you should vote. There is also information on figuring out which Ward you live in – St Johns east of College Rd to Felton Matthews Rd is Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward, the rest of St Johns and Meadowbank is Orakei Ward.
We are holding a Meet the Candidate evening on 10th September at 7pm at St Chads Church, 38 St Johns Rd. Come along and hear what the candidates have to say.
Who Are the Candidates?
We asked each candidate to send us a brief profile and answer our question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them? Please note that the MBSJRA is politically neutral. In order to best meet our objective of advocating for residents in our suburbs, we are committed to working constructively with people across the political spectrum and with a broad range of views.
Here are the responses that we have from candidates so far (as of 24 August 2019).
Pete Williams
Independent (candidate for OLB and ADHB)
Key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how Pete would support them:
Road Safety: Ensuring our excessive speed is reduced by implementing speed traps and creating more crossings where there are high pedestrian numbers.
Parks and Recreation: Advocate for the continuation of the birdsong project ensuring that our recreational spaces are pest and litter free. Advocating for all current and future parks and recreational spaces to be accessible for all including the elderly, the mobility challenged and parents with prams.
Peter (Pete) Williams has spina bifida and has had over fifty operations related to his spina bifida so understands the health system and associated challenges that come with reduced mobility. At birth, doctors predicted a short life expectancy of only three weeks for him. They told his mother not to bother to feed him, Williams remarked in a TVNZ interview. However, despite this Pete has lived a full life. In 1992, he competed in the Kiwi Kids Triathlon, and was the first child with a disability to do so. He attended Auckland University of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Communications in 2005 after majoring in Television Production. Passing on the 2002 Winter Paralympics in order to pursue his education, he competed at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in the giant slalom, where he finished 20th, and the slalom where he finished 22nd. Today, Pete collects for a number of charities close to his heart, is a board member for Parafed Auckland and runs a small business helping the elderly and disabled overcome various challenges in life.
Pete will be an independent community person, offering a fresh set of ears, advocating for different points of view. He’s not here for the politics, but asking for your vote in 2019 because he will make a positive difference in our everyday lives.
Isaac Mercer
Independent (OLB candidate)
Key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how Isaac would support them:
Transport: Meadowbank and St Johns have great transport links, be that the frequent 75 bus service, or the trains from Meadowbank Station. However, these transport links lack in connections. Meadowbank station is relatively inaccessible by public transport with only one bus connection, and the 75 has limited connection to nearby St Johns Park and Meadowbank. Isaac will ensure the Ōrākei Local Board supports these core routes by advocating for more connecting services and supporting walking and cycling infrastructure to and from the buses and trains. Meadowbank and St Johns have limited dedicated cycling infrastructure resulting in a less than pleasant environment for cyclists. With the opening of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path, cyclist numbers will only increase. Therefore, the board needs to support cycle lanes throughout the area and on key feeder routes such as St Johns Road. The entire area, including Meadowbank and St Johns, has an issue with vehicle speeds and Isaac will ensure the board supports and lobbies for vehicle speed reductions such speed calming to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe throughout Ōrākei.
Community: Meadowbank and St Johns are privileged to have such a diverse community. This provides great opportunity but also a challenge for the board to incorporate their views on decisions. I will ensure the varying perspectives of those within the community are represented and listened to and provide a strong platform for young people to have their voice heard on the Ōrākei Local Board.
Isaac Mercer will bring an exciting new perspective and direction towards local issues, as a 19-year-old, that has never been represented in Ōrākei. Isaac believes it is time that young people are taken seriously on local issues and have a strong voice for youth behind decision-making tables. Young people are the ones who will be living with the impacts, positive or negative, of decisions made today for the longest. Isaac believes it is time to take their concerns seriously and give young people a voice on the board.
Ōrākei needs to take a new approach with a fresh face and a fresh perspective. To see a fresh face for Ōrākei vote Isaac Mercer for the Ōrākei Local Board.
Better Auckland (candidate for Orakei Local Board and Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward Councillor)
Key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how Carmel would support them:
General Transport Safety: As your Transport Lead on the Board I have received a strong message from residents that the ability to move around the area safely and easily is important to you. A key component in easing our traffic congestion is to provide good infrastructure to support alternative transport modes. This takes vehicles off the roads and is good for all of us. We shouldn’t have to drive our children to school because the local environment is too risky for them to walk. I have actively sought solutions and with the OLB have delivered local transport projects as follows:
Securing Community Safety funding for Temple St / Lucia Glade safety Improvements.
Redevelopment of the Meadowbank Community Centre: The Community Centre has been crying out for attention for years. I will continue to work on the optimisation process that will deliver a purpose- built centre – retaining of ownership of the land by Council and sale of the air space above for residential use. This will enable delivery of a valuable amenity at no cost to the ratepayer.
Gowing Drive Connection to the Glen Innes – Tamaki Shared Path: Establishing the Gowing Drive walking/cycling link needed by community to access the GI2TP is vital. It will enable students to walk or cycle to St Thomas’s or Selwyn College, connect the Meadowbank and Kohimarama communities, and take cars off the road – easing congestion on the busy St Johns & Kohimarama Rds. As champion of this project I helped secure a funding allocation of 4.6 million in the Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan. Additional funding from NZTA is required to activate this piece of work. Strong advocacy is still needed. I will continue to champion this project on your behalf as a Local Board member.
I’ve lived in Greenbank Drive St Johns for 12 years. Deputy Chair of the Orakei Local Board, I’ve enjoyed attending the monthly Association meetings over the term. This is a fantastic neighbourhood to live in with a strong community spirit we can all be proud of. A “hands on” environmentalist, I Chair environment groups Friends of Pourewa Valley, and the Tamaki Estuary Environment Forum. I am a founding member and former spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance – dedicated to ensuring you get the best possible value for your hard- earned rates.
Key Priorities in Meadowbank and how Alan would support them:
Pedestrian, cycling and children’s safety: Crossing Remuera Road is a dangerous activity. Especially for school children and senior citizens. I see many people on dark winter evenings standing anxiously half way across the road, protected by nothing but white lines from rush hour traffic. As the unitary plan picks up pace, the traffic density on our roads increases as a result. However, the design of our footpaths and road crossings have not improved to cope with the increased traffic intensity.
Given the level of rates we pay in the Meadowbank and St Johns area, I would like to see a fair proportion returned to our district to address these issues. On Remuera Rd, St Johns Road, and College Road we need to provide double the number of crossings, and pedestrian island sanctuaries on the road median strip. The safety of our children would be improved by preventing rubbish trucks, and heavy truck traffic from our roads during those times children walk to school. Those who want to cycle should feel secure in their commute by being provided with fully separated cycleways well away from vehicles as alternative means to commute to the city, schools, and beaches.
Removing poisons from our communities: Over the last 3 years the dangers of glyphosate and other poisons and their long-term health effects have been widely reported in the media. The extent of poison use such as glyphosate by both the council and private companies is a concern for me. We need to phase out the use of poisons and seek alternatives.
A plan to return Remuera Golf Course to true public use: The Remuera Golf Course is publicly owned land around 60 hectares. Unusually this very large piece of land has had its lease renewed until 2091. We really need to work with Remuera Golf Club to shorten the lease on much of this land, and instead develop it as a resource for multiple sports and activities such as mountain biking, adventure playgrounds for our youth, climbing sports, community gardens. It would be also be an excellent site for an urban educational facility centred around outdoor recreation activities. Some smaller sections of this land could be returned to predator free native forest, bringing an appreciation of nature back into the community, and essentially providing a separation between activities.
As a long-term resident of Ōrākei living in Meadowbank, I believe we live in a beautiful part of the city, but it is one that needs protecting and enhancing for current residents and future generations.
Troy Churton
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
Troy has extensive legal and governance experience, certified RMA Commissioner, current OLB portfolio lead for planning and regulatory. Troy holds processing planners to account and advocates strongly for community views. Lifelong local resident, committed to enhancing local amenity and lifestyle qualities, helped secure $1.2m sport improvement funding for Orakei area, will ensure master plans for recreational reserves are completed.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Colin Davis
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
Current member and past chairman of Orakei Local Board. St Heliers resident 48 years. Extensive local government experience and community involvement. Former Chairman Eastern Bays Community Board, City Councillor, City Valuer, City Secretary. Colin is committed to preserving the area’s special character, upgrading core services, prudent expenditure, efficiency and open government.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Troy Elliott
C&R – Community and Residents (candidate for OLB and ADHB)
Troy Elliott is an Ellerslie resident and current Chair of the Ellerslie Residents’ Association. Troy has worked with AT to achieve local outcomes on transport and parking. He has a wealth of experience in management, been involved with several charities, and is currently a speaker and advocate for Breast Cancer.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Scott Milne
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
A solution-driven team player, Scott is determined to improve transport, beaches and parks in the area. He has served six years on the Auckland City Council. He previously owned Wylies Pharmacy, Remuera before starting the Life pharmacy group and has a wide range of governance, community, volunteer and business experience.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Sarah Powrie
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
Lifelong local resident with diverse experience ranging from owning and managing small business to strategic planning and stakeholder support. Sarah will bring her collaborative vision, energy and commitment to the team to help build thriving community centres, clubs and libraries and advance the economic development of local business.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?\
Margaret Voyce
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
An active local resident association member, Margaret fostered community engagement challenging parts of the proposed Unitary Plan and helped collaborate with Auckland Transport on local parking issues. Margaret will make sure core infrastructure is in place, improve Council service delivery for Orakei and ensure communications are cost-effective.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
David Wong
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
David has been a committed member of the Orakei Local Board for the last three years. He has been portfolio lead on Community Facilities and Services. David is focused on the preservation of local parks, community spaces, working on youth and cultural initiatives and supporting the growth of local business.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
C&R – Community and Residents response to question on key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how the C&R Candidates would support them:
1. Working with Panuku Development Auckland to get the new Meadowbank Community Centre completed:
Successive C&R – Communities and Residents Orakei Local Boards have made the redevelopment of the Meadowbank Community Centre top priority in their local board plans.
Your new C&R – Orakei Local Board team will continue to collaborate with Panuku Development Auckland to ensure this project is successfully completed.
2. Transforming pedestrian access with a Gowing Drive connection to our Glen Innes – Tamaki shared pathway This pathway will provide a fantastic new recreational and commuter opportunity for cyclists and pedestrians. The current C&R – Orakei Local Board championed progress of the Gowing Drive connection and other local connections to the path enabling greater local school access. The Orakei Local Board has committed $2m capital funding. Your new C&R Orakei Local Board team has the experience and relationship skills needed to ensure that Council and Auckland Transport work with the New Zealand Transport Agency to ensure this project is completed.
3. Improving local road safety by completing transport safety projects: The present C&R – Orakei Local Board has used the additional allocation of $830,000 for funding transport safety projects, to prioritise a further three new Meadowbank and St Johns safety projects.
Your new C&R – Communities and Residents Local Board team for 2019 will see these projects completed and will consult with the Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association on further improvements.
4. Advocating for better outcomes in the Resource Management Act/Auckland Council Unitary Plan process: The present C&R – Communities and Residents local board team has a proven record successfully advocating for residents’ concerns regarding the negative effects of Unitary Plan infringements. Your new C&R Orakei Local Board team retains that experience and determination to work for you to ensure local development is within the rules.
Desley Simpson
C&R – Community and Residents (Orakei Ward Councillor candidate)
Key priorities for Meadowbank and St Johns and how Desley would support them:
1. Working with Panuku Development Auckland to get the new Meadowbank Community Centre completed: I will continue to collaborate with the new C&R Board team and support their dealings with Panuku Development Auckland to ensure this project is successfully completed.
2. Transforming pedestrian access with a Gowing Drive connection to our Glen Innes – Tamaki shared pathway: I achieved majority support on the Governing Body to recognise this project, advocated by the C&R Board, as regionally significant and helped secure funding for the Board to then commit to it. This pathway will provide a fantastic new recreational and commuter opportunity for cyclists and pedestrians.
3. Improving local road safety by completing transport safety projects: I doubled the Orakei Local Board’s transport capital fund and then secured an additional $830,000 for local safety projects. Your new C&R – Communities and Residents Local Board team for 2019 will use the funding I secured them to be able to deliver more transport solutions across the Orakei Ward including those in Meadowbank and St Johns
Examples of how I have achieved for Auckland: I championed a new value for money programme which has independent people assess the efficiency of Council departments. Eight have been done so far, saving ratepayers $260million dollars in just 2 years. I am the only Councillor to put up ten resolutions to tighten the control over Auckland Transport, making them more accountable to the people they serve including making them report on congestion which is costing business and ratepayers approx $1 billion per year in loss of productivity.
As chair of the Quality Advice Committee, I added a reporting requirement for financial implications and risks and mitigations to elected member agendas. NZIER have now scored Auckland Council highest ever on their quality advice Secured funding towards the OLB’s priority project ( Shared path link at Meadowbank into the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path ). Delivered funding and improvements to Tamaki Drive to assist mitigate flooding issues.
Josephine Bartley
Labour (Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward Councillor candidate)
Key priorities for Meadowbank and St Johns and how Josephine will support them:
Transport – With intensification and construction work in the area causing major delays and congestion it is important we have workable options for getting around better, whether that be walking, cycling, public transport or driving your car. As you would have seen the traffic backs up along Merton Road heading into Apirana Ave because of the Watercare works on Elstree Ave. As I am the Councillor for Maungakiekie Tamaki I have been working with the Maungakiekie Tamaki Local board chair to find effective solutions for traffic management while these works are carried out, this will in turn benefit you in the Orakei side because you are neighbouring area and traffic backing up is all connected. I supported the Eastern Busway project which will mean more increased usage of the busway from Pakuranga, Botany side into Panmure, this will help ease up congestion for our area. I supported the increase to the Local board transport capital fund and the establishment of the local board safety fund both resolutions led by Cr Simpson. I see the amazing work by this local board regarding the Tamaki shared pathway and as Councillor for the neighbouring ward I saw the benefits for both sides of the ward which I will continue to support. If re-elected I look forward to working with the Orakei Local board and the Orakei Councillor to address further transport issues in the area.
Community development – It is great to see progress with the Meadowbank community centre and I will work with the Orakei Local board and Orakei Councillor to ensure Panuku delivers a centre that you are proud of. I share the aspiration of the residents association for more inclusive neighbourhoods as it is more enriching being part of a community rather than just going to work and coming home and not getting involved in shaping the place where you live and meeting the people in your area.
Environment – We have so much beautiful green space in our area and ecological restoration is a priority that both Maungakiekie Tamaki and Orakei local boards have been working on as both sides share parks on the border e.g Apirana Reserve. I will continue to advocate for regional initiatives and funding that benefit us locally for example pest eradiction funding through the Natural Environment rate.
Josh Beddell
C&R – Community and Residents (Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward Councillor candidate)
I’m local and experienced. My family moved to Glen Innes in the 1950s. I was born on Konini Road, attended One Tree Hill College and have lived locally with my family for over 15 years. I offer more than a decade of experience in community engagement, project management and advocating for our local residents.
You get common-sense and careful spending with me. I’ll focus on: cutting waste, core council services, safer neighbourhoods, reducing the cost of living, axing the petrol tax and taking control of AT. We must tackle congestion, get Auckland moving and invest heavily in quality infrastructure. We can’t afford 3 more years of this Council. You deserve better. I’ll be your strong voice and will fight for you everyday.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them.
Patrick O’Meara
United Locals (Maungakiekie-Ward Councillor candidate)
Key priorities for Meadowbank and St Johns and how Patrick will support them:
Transport: With my professional knowledge of road and construction ,working for Local Bodies and Fulton Hogan civil construction and motorways, I see the failures of Auckland Transport at a Local Level daily.Auckland Transport need to be back under Council Control and to be held responsible by you the people. Cutting wasteful spending and prioritising Core Council Services. To complete the Tamaki shared path with proper input and outcomes for our community including finishing A.M.E.T.I. to Merton Road. Providing safer roads for our community
Community Development: I am a Stakeholder and have been working with Panuku on Unlock Panmure, and as a Community Leader, President of the Panmure Historical Society Inc, as well as Chair for Panmure Basin Advisory Committee I’m looking forward to working with Orakei Councillor and the Orakei Local Board to ensure that your voice is heard and understood. I will meet with Locals & Associations and people who also wish to be listened to over the next 3 years.
Environment: I know and care and am Appalled at the lack of Action and Accountability by Council and Local Boards, being the Chairperson of the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society for the last 5 years, they are hiding the true state of our Waterways, Estuaries and Harbour. Council continue to misrepresent the true state of the environment. Our beaches are closed due to water quality and pollution, because of failing infrastructure and due to unchecked population growth and are now at an all time low. The Eastern Birdsong Project whom I’ve worked with in the past needs to expand into Maungakeikei – Tamaki and open an enhance the green corridor to include the restoration of the Point to Point Walkway. Also getting Wai-o-Taiki Bay / Omaru Creek Nature Reserve- status and protection for the future generations.
I will be your independent (Non-Party) strong Local Voice ensuring your Rates are well spent. UNITED LOCALS your LOCAL VOICE.
Pete Williams
Isaac Mercer
Carmel Claridge
Alan Barraclough
Troy Churton
Colin Davis
Troy Elliott
Scott Milne
Sarah Powrie
Margaret Voyce
David Wong
Desley Simpson
Josephine Bartley
Josh Beddell
Patrick O’Meara