Rural briefs

Pot hole

Auckland Transport has made a big promise to fill 95 per cent of potholes within 24 hours of notification on Auckland’s busiest road. At a recent Rural Advisory Panel meeting, chair Andy Baker said rural roads would not receive the same treatment, instead being filled within five business days. He said a new process for filling potholes was making the road network more resilient.

Setbacks

An initial proposal to strengthen riparian setbacks has rural advocates warning of lost farmland and higher food costs. A report on the subject suggested a setback between 10 metres and 30 metres. Panel members voiced concern, saying the loss of land would hit farmers hard and some said setbacks could be the nail in the coffin for farmers.

Sediment control

Frustrations with Auckland Council’s lack of awareness of rural sediment control practices boiled over at the Rural Advisory Panel’s recent meeting. Horticulture representatives said sediment control practices for growers started back in the 1990s and there was mounting frustration with having to continually reiterate the work to various council staff, particularly given the high staff turnover.

Storm preparedness

Auckland Council is ramping up cyclone season preparations, with chief executive Phil Wilson promising a full readiness plan ahead of any summer storms. Wilson told a Governing Body meeting last month that he was organising a full and formal briefing for councillors ahead of summer to ensure they, local board chairs, emergency services and other stakeholders were aware of [council’s] preparations.