Chair's monthly report - Item 22 Chair's ...
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Chair’s monthly report This is my first report for 2019 covering the period 12 December 2018 until 11 February 2019. I'm really fortunate to have fantastic colleagues on the Waitematā Local Board supported by an outstanding team. After our final workshop of the year it has become a tradition to have lunch together and for board members to be presented with a surprise Christmas card. For the 2018 card we took on superpower characters that will no doubt take us into 2019 full of energy! In the photo right with superheroes Shale Chambers, Adriana Avendaño Christie, Richard Northey, Vernon Tava, Rob Thomas and Denise Roche. The following provides a summary of activities and highlights from the end of 2018 and over the summer break. Local Board weekly workshops resumed on 5 February. Salisbury Reserve entranceway At the December Business Meeting the Local Board made the decision to progress with a new entranceway at Salisbury Reserve (Attachment 1). The Masonic Lodge, off Argyle St, was purchased from an Open Space budget by the former Auckland City Council to create an entranceway into the Reserve. The Local Board consulted on two options – with and without parking. A healthy majority of submitters (68 per cent) supported the entranceway option with no car parks. We delayed our final (unanimous) decision to undertake a survey of the on-street parking availability on busy days at the clubrooms. It shows there is ample parking within a 200m walk of the clubroom (on the Argyle St end rather than Salisbury St). The on-street parking is the same distance to the clubroom entrance as the location of car parking in the Reserve proposed in one of the options. The reserve is a neighbourhood park. It provides valuable green space. It is very unusual to have parking in a neighbourhood park and is not consistent with Council’s policies.
Submitters put forward a range of reasons for creating an entranceway without parking including that it is safer for children and all users of the park. The Local Board is supportive of the Herne Bay Petanque Club and Probus who use the clubrooms for meetings. Members currently make informal use of the old Masonic lodge carpark (there is no official parking in the reserve). We appreciate that they would like this arrangement to continue. We have asked Auckland Transport to install on-street mobility car parks. We are also looking at how to improve accessibility into clubrooms. Annual Budget 2019/20 consultation As I reported in the February Ponsonby News (Attachment 2), the Council’s annual budget consultation is coming up from 17 February. This is the opportunity to give feedback on whether we have got our local board priorities right. We’re not proposing major changes to the existing work programme for 2019/2020 as we continue to deliver the projects identified in the 2017 Waitematā Local Board Plan. Developing 254 Ponsonby Road as a civic space remains our major local initiative. Activating, improving and renewing our parks, guided by our Park Development Plans, will continue to be a focus. There is budget earmarked to upgrade the playgrounds at Western Springs Lakeside Park and Home Street Reserve (right a draft concept design), provide pathways in Basque Park and commence building of the Grey Lynn Park changing rooms. Our stream restoration projects will continue, and we’ve got a new project underway to enhance the Western Springs-Meola-Three Kings Aquifer. Through our grants programme, we’ll support community and arts groups and local events, as well as stage our two flagship events, Parnell Festival of Roses and Myers Park Medley (a family friendly free event on Sunday 17 February). We’re funding a new arts partnership with TAPAC and increased library hours at Grey Lynn Library and the Central City Library. We’ll also continue investigating opportunities to reduce agrichemical use, including advocating to the Governing Body to take a regional approach to agrichemical-free park maintenance. For information on the Annual Budget 19/20 consultation and engagement events visit the Auckland Council website. https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Pages/default.aspx
Air Quality in the City Centre Pedestrians and workers in Queen Street are being exposed to high levels of "black carbon" associated with a number of health problems. The key way of reducing air pollution in the city centre is to reduce emissions from buses and trucks. Councillors Chris Darby, Penny Hulse, Alf Filipaina, Richard Hills and I, on behalf of the Local Board, wrote to AT's CEO on 17 December asking for "immediate action to alleviate the risk of more premature deaths, contributed to by atrocious air quality on our busiest street" (Attachment 3). Te Hā o Hine interpretation sign On 12 December a new interpretation signage at Te Hā o Hine Place was unveiled by Ngāti Whātua Orākei, alongside our board and National Council of Women representatives (photo below). Te Hā o Hine is derived from the whakatauki (proverb) Me aro koe ki te Hā o Hine-ahu-one, that can be taken as meaning 'pay heed to the dignity of women'. The name was a gift from Ngāti Whātua Orākei in recognition of the Woman’s Suffrage Centenary Memorial located in Te Hā o Hine Place. Western Park steps and boardwalk opening On 12 December the Local Board members joined with local residents to celebrate the new stairs that connect Hopetoun Street with Western Park. The stairs have new handrails to improve accessibility and the viewing platform on Hopetoun Street has been re-decked. Feedback on the upgrade has been overwhelmingly positive.
Western Springs Western Springs Lakeside Park featured on TVNZ One News on 21 January about plans the Local Board has to improve water quality and the work underway to keep paths clear of bird poo and the geese numbers under control (attachment 4). At the same time the removal of pine trees at risk of failure was in the news. I will report with an update on Westerns Springs Bush Restoration project next month once we know the outcome of the resource consent process and discussions with neighbours. Feedback on the draft RPTP I worked on the Local Board’s feedback on the draft Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) with the Local Board’s Senior Adviser. This was submitted on 18 January following consideration of the public’s feedback in response to a consultation process held by Auckland Transport at the end of 2018. (attached as an agenda item) The Local Board supports the overall direction of the draft RPTP, the vision for public transport and how Auckland Transport proposes to meet the identified challenges for the next 10 years. We are generally supportive of the steps to increase public transport services but would like to see a clear statement of intent to increase mode-share of public transport.
In the feedback we outlined what the Local Board supports to consolidate and build on the
rapid increase in public transport boardings from 79 million in June 2015 to 92 million in June
2018. We also outline what improvements we would like to see to public transport services
(including the reinstatement of a service on Williamson Ave) and infrastructure and specific
feedback on the four focus areas in the draft.
Kelmarna Gardens entranceway
At the end of last year the entranceway to Kelmarna Organic Community Gardens and City
Farm was given a makeover helped with a modest grant from the Local Board (Attachment
5 Our Auckland: Kelmarna Gardens)
As described by Kelmarna (via their FB page) “The installation of the curved seat (designed
by Carl Pickens Landscape Architect), new bike parking and wheel stops, shaping and
edging of the gardens, smoothing of the drive and creation of a circle for our leafcutter bee
box has been made possible by the generosity, sweat and toil of Norm and team at
Landscape Solutions, Omid and team at Ventia, the Waitematā Local Board and Auckland
Council, all in the last weeks before Christmas. Once planted with pollinator-attracting plants
by our friend Andrea Reid from Pollinator Paths, visitors will be able to come, rest and
absorb the sensory garden full of bees and butterflies”.
Events and functions: 12 December until 12 February
Western Park Boardwalk opening on 12 December
Exhibition opening at Toi Ora on 12
December
Vigil for Grace on Federal Street on 12
December
Te Hā o Hine Place signage unveiling on 13
December
Tour of the City Rail Link tunnels for board
members on 14 December (photo right) and
community stakeholders thank you
gathering on 13 December hosted by CRL
Ltd.
Ports of Auckland community liaison
meeting and Christmas gathering on 12
December
Rainbow Youth sponsors breakfast
Love Food, Hate Waste Christmas lunch at
Ellen Melville Centre on 14 December
(photo right)
Christmas in Western Park event hosted by
the Ponsonby Business Association on 14
December
Launch of Cr Mike Lee’s book Navigators &
Naturalists on 16 December
Final workshop of the year on 18 December
followed by Christmas lunch for local board
members and local board staff
Heart of the City’s Late Night Christmas event in
the city centre on 20 December
On 23 December invited to Sunday Blessings’
Christmas dinner for the homeless community
served by volunteers at the Central Library. Also
there in support were The Auckland Street Choir
and Orange Sky New Zealand.
Invited by Holy Trinty Cathedral to read the Third
Lesson at the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
(photo right)
Attended the ASB Classic on 4 January at the
invitation of Tennis Auckland
Invited by Fiftysix Creations to be a Guest Mentor
at Business Camp on 16 January for students aged
5 to 15 who came together over the school holidays
to identify a community based problem (photo
on previous page)
Opening of the Buskers Festival at the
invitation of Crackerjack Productions
Over anniversary weekend enjoyed the See
Port Festival fireworks put on by Ports of
Auckland and checked out the Rainbow
Machine at Silo Park (modelled in the photo
right by Luna, Ruby and the White Face
Crew). This amazing creation originated as a
Local Board child friendly pop up play spaces
project which got picked up by the regional art
team. Artists: Shahriar Asdollah-Zadeh,
Patrick Loo and Sarosh Mulla
Waitangi Day started with a small gathering
organized by Cr Mike Lee and Terry Dunleavy
to acknowledge Governor William Hobson at
his grave in Symonds St cemetery. Niamh
McMahon, honorary consul general of the
Republic of Ireland attended and recited a
poem. I then enjoyed the Waitangi Day
Festival hosted by Ngāti Whātua at Okahu
Bay
LGNZ National Council meeting in
Wellington on 8 February. In the photo
right with Mayor of Dunedin and LGNZ
President Dave Cull and Deputy Mayor of
Oamaru and Young Elected Member rep,
Melanie Tavendale
Tom Scott’s Daylight Atheist at the ASB
Waterfront Theatre at the invitation of
ATC
Big Gay Out at Coyle Park on 10
February (photo below with Albert-Eden
Local Board member Jessica Rose and a
friend Kirstin Jones)
Leaving function for Lester McGrath from
Auckland Theatre Company on 11
February
Attachments
1 Our Auckland: Additional green space approved for Salisbury Reserve
2 Ponsonby News update: February 2019
3 Black Carbon Levels on Queen Street: Letter to Auckland Transport dated 17
December
4 TVNZ News on 21 January: Auckland Council looks to encourage eel population,
reduce goose poo at Western Springs
5 Our Auckland: Improvements to Kelmarna Gardens will welcome visitors
Additional green space approved for Salisbury Reserve Our Auckland Published: 18 December 2018 A new entranceway to Salisbury Reserve on Herne Bay’s Argyle Street has been approved by Waitematā Local Board. A green space incorporating more trees, a new path into the reserve and lawn will reclaim the site following removal of the Masonic Hall. Public consultation on options for the reserve was held over a six-week period from July to August in 2018. In total, 68% of participants preferred the option approved by the board while 27% preferred a car park to provide additional parking in the area. Post consultation, a Parking Utilisation Report was commissioned to better understand parking availability around Salisbury Reserve, Salisbury Street, and parts of Argyle Street and Cremorne Street. Surveys were conducted on days which were identified as the busiest of the month due to groups using the Herne Bay Petanque Club. The resulting data revealed that the total number of vehicles parked in all areas of the reserve never exceeded the total number of parking spaces available on street within 200 metres of the site, even during peak-use of the Petanque Club. Waitematā Local Board Chair Pippa Coom says the redevelopment of Salisbury Reserve entrance as a green space reflects the clear majority of local views.
“The preference from the community proved to be very much about enhancing and preserving green space in the reserve," she says. “We’ve also requested that Auckland Transport explores options for mobility parking and step-free access into the Herne Bay Petanque Club to address accessibility issues that were raised with the local board.” The approved option is also in keeping with the original intention to open up the reserve following its purchase by the former Auckland City Council from an Open Space budget in 2010.
Councillors’ Office
Shane Ellison
Chief Executive, Auckland Transport
Shane.Ellison@aucklandtransport.govt.nz
17 December 2018
Dear Shane
RE: BLACK CARBON LEVELS ON QUEEN STREET
As a signatory to the C40: Fossil Free Streets declaration, Auckland has pledged to significantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions generated by transport and traffic. The transition to Fossil-Fuel-Free-Streets
will occur by 1) procuring zero-emission buses from 2025; and 2) ensuring a major area of our city is
zero emission by 2030.
However, one of our busiest streets - with more than 10 million pedestrians counted in 2017, records
dangerously high levels of harmful air pollutants. The long-term average concentrations of Elevated
Black Carbon (BC) on Queen Street are two to three times higher than in internationally comparable
cities. This street sits at the heart of our city centre and is a strategic pinpoint of transformation plans –
especially those outlined in the City Centre Master Plan 2040.
This morning, Council’s Research and Evaluation Unit (RIMU) released The Impacts of Transport
Emissions on Air Quality in Auckland’s City Centre [TR2018/28]. The draft report, released in early
November, highlighted exposure to high levels of ‘black carbon’, or ultra-fine particles associated with
a number of health problems.
The main reason for high air pollution levels on Queen Street is emissions from transport vehicles –
particularly diesel fuelled buses, which make up 12 per cent of the on-road vehicles (a higher
proportion that any other Auckland road). Although many turn off near Wellesley Street, the pollution
flows down Queen Street towards the densely populated waterfront area.
Downward trends in particulate and nitrogen dioxide pollutants have recently reversed and are now
slowly increasing. These pollutants negatively impact the rapidly growing number of people who live,
work, learn and socialise in our city centre, particularly those most vulnerable, such as older persons
and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
We note and acknowledge Auckland’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap and the pathway it provides to
eliminating diesel buses from the city’s roads, with a full zero-emission bus fleet in 2040. While we
generally support the key milestones (continue low emission bus trials between 2019 and 2025, and
procure only zero emission buses from 2025), we would like to see the 2040 date advanced
considerably.
In addition to Auckland’s commitment to Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets, there are numerous benefits to be
gained from improving the air quality on Queen Street. The upcoming APEC, and AMCUP36 both
provide opportunities to showcase Auckland’s quality of life, and quality of environment. A prominent,
popular street in central Auckland with remarkable air quality is another way for Auckland to
demonstrate its enviable position in the world.
135 Albert Street | Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 | aucklandcouncil.govt.nz | Ph 09 301 0101We are particularly interested in the immediate steps, or quick-wins, that Auckland can take to bring a
dramatic improvement in the quality of air in Queen Street.
At a glance, these might include:
1. Reduce diesel buses - transition to E-buses faster.
Currently, a number of buses with routes on Queen Street are older, diesel-powered models (Euro III
to Euro V).
Dramatic, instant improvements to air quality can be achieved through:
A review of all service contracts, ensuring that only Euro VI buses are permitted on Queen
Street
Faster transition to e-buses (2019 from 2020)
Removal of all non-commuter bus services, e.g. the Kiwi Experience
Implementation of automatic stop/start technology for buses
A review of the ‘motor off’ policy, reducing the time limit from five minutes of idling to one
minute
2. Disincentivise private vehicles on Queen Street
Investigate removal of all short term (P15) parking bays on Queen Street (Customs Street to Mayoral
Drive), which will consequently eliminate private vehicles generating congestion and pollution through
parking searches and holding up bus services
This should have the benefit of reducing idling and improving the productivity of buses and service
vehicles. Furthermore, modelling work undertaken with C40 in London has shown that if we remove a
third of private vehicles from the city centre, nitrogen dioxide reduces by 15%, with notable social and
economic benefits.
3. Reduce rat running in and around Queen Street
Investigate removal of all right-hand turns from and to Queen Street, between Customs Street and
Airedale (inclusive)
Consider traffic flows and rat running implications around Fort Street, Fort Lane, Jean Batten Place,
High Street, Darby Street, Elliot Street and surrounds
Investigate opportunities to work with Google Maps to remove Queen Street and thoroughfares as
recommended routes.
4. Reallocation of road space from parking
Following removal of short term parking, the road space can be reallocated to provide for additional
pedestrian movement, parking facilities for active transport modes (bike and e-scooter share) and
parking for a possible e-cargo delivery system. Examples include parking for Lime scooters, Big Street
Bikers rechargery centres and general bike parking.Next steps We invite you to consider the above proposals and any other opportunities that you are aware of. We urge you to take immediate action to alleviate the risk of more premature deaths, contributed to by atrocious air quality on our busiest street. Multiple and interdependent benefits result from policy decisions that promote safer streets, climate action, active and public transportation modes, and congestion mitigation strategies. These benefits include increased economic activity, vibrant social spaces and a cleaner, more sustainable environment - including cleaner air. Finally, your strong commitment to delivering on Auckland’s Climate Action Plan and the associated actions – particularly those that will be worked through as part of Auckland’s Climate Symposium – is also imperative as we work together to make tangible and ambitious progress in the short and long- term. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours Sincerely, Chris Darby Richard Hills Chair I Planning Committee Deputy Chair I Planning Committee Auckland Council Auckland Council p. 021 284 2888 p. 021 286 4411 e.Chris.Darby@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz e. Richard.Hills@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Penny Hulse Alf Filipaina Chair I Environment and Community Committee Deputy Chair I Environment and Community Committee Auckland Council Auckland Council p. 021 2734663 p. 021 2800 999 e. Penny.Hulse@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz e. Alf.Filipaina@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Pippa Coom Chair, Waitematā Local Board p. 021 926 618 e. Pippa.Coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Auckland Council looks to encourage eel population, reduce goose poo at Western Springs MON, JAN 21 1 NEWS Auckland’s popular Western Springs Lakeside Park is set for a facelift, with a new plan for its future set to be signed off by the council in the next month. Water quality and pollution from birds have been issues for years. In the past, it's seen ducks become sick with avian botulism. Auckland Council is aware of the problems, saying its new plan focuses on improving the water quality and will also see increased service levels for cleaning poo‐covered paths. "All of the ecology and wildlife at the park will benefit from improved water quality," said Pippa Coom, Waitematā Local Board chairwoman. "Some of the actions we are looking at is managing the high nutrient levels, more planting around the lake, controlling the runoff and encouraging people not to feed birds in the lake." The council wants to encourage the population of eels in the lake, planning to set up feeding and viewing stations as part of that. In contrast, the number of geese living in the park will be controlled. They plan to do so "by ethically controlling the chicks that are born through a process called addling… That's a non‐invasive way of sterilising an egg", said Auckland Council’s Acting Head of Operational Management and Maintenance Simon Randall. The plan also looks at restoring a natural wetland area, more native planting and a new playground. But St Lukes Environmental Protection Society chairwoman Elizabeth Walker says the council hasn’t gone far enough. "It's such a special area in Auckland's volcanic heritage where the water from the aquifer bubbles to the surface," she said. A rare rock forest ‐ the result of volcanic eruptions ‐ needs to be enhanced and protected, she has argued. "That in turn will help to purify and filter the water," Ms Walker said. "The value of Western Springs is not just being here but it actually impacts the whole of the Auckland isthmus, we should be thinking about the corridors for birds and bats."
Improvements to Kelmarna Gardens will welcome visitors Our Auckland Published: 23 January 2019 Before work started at Kelmarna Gardens. Improvements underway at Kelmarna Gardens.
Finished improvements at Kelmarna Gardens. Ponsonby’s Kelmarna Gardens has recently completed improvements to their entranceway thanks to financial support from Waitematā Local Board. New bike parking and wheel stops have been installed along with curved seating designed by Carl Pickens Landscape Architect. Surrounding gardens have been shaped and edged, the driveway smoothed and a circular garden space for pollinator-attracting plants has been created. Three decades of organic gardening Kelmarna Gardens, a city farm and organic community garden, has lain tucked away in the city-fringe suburb for more than three decades growing organic vegetables, raising chickens and grazing cows. Chair of Kelmarna Gardens Trust Philippa Wilkie says the new entranceway is now a more welcoming space for the many people who visit the gardens each week. “We’re incredibly grateful that the board has supported our vision to improve the entranceway. Visitors and community members will now be able to come, rest and absorb the sensory garden full of bees and butterflies,” she says.
Gardens of great value to the community Waitematā Local Board Chair Pippa Coom says it’s great to see how Kelmarna Gardens has taken a modest grant from the board of just over $7000 and by partnering with volunteers and contractors, including Auckland Council’s contractor Ventia, they have added so much value to the gardens. “We recognise the value and benefits of community gardens as a way to foster community connection and in response to the challenges of climate change, food security and rising food costs.” “So we’re very pleased to support Kelmarna to create a welcoming space that will further encourage visitors and community involvement." Kelmarna Gardens is open to visitors seven days a week through the pedestrian gate at the Hukanui Crescent entrance. You can also contact the garden manager Adrian Roche at kelmarnagardens@gmail.com to book a guided tour.
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