NAG slams “urban-centric” projects

Northern Action Group (NAG) chair Bill Foster told about 30 attendees gathered for the organisation’s annual meeting last month that the focus on the Covid-19 virus last year had provided a “smokescreen”, which meant it had been tougher to make progress on improving governance in north Rodney.

Mr Foster said in this environment, Auckland Council had faced significant revenue losses but nevertheless wanted to continue “urban-centric” projects.

He said Council had been able to get away with opening up the “rates tap” so that Rodney ratepayers were obliged to make up funding shortfalls, while at the same time  turning off the “investment tap” for much needed basic infrastructure investment in Rodney, particularly for road improvements.

“This burden is not just for today but into the future, as Auckland Council has also increased its borrowing,” he said.

Despite this setback, Mr Foster said NAG had progressed numerous initiatives during the year, including mounting an ongoing billboard campaign, exposing the regional fuel tax “rort” and had made submissions to various bodies, including the Rodney Local Board, Local Government NZ and Auckland Council on local governance issues.

Mr Foster also said NAG had not given up on the idea that north Rodney residents and ratepayers should ultimately have the opportunity to vote in a binding referendum on whether they wanted to cede from the Auckland Supercity – a long-cherished NAG dream.

He said Rodney’s forced amalgamation into the Supercity had led to rate increases, underfunded roads, insufficient care of regional parks, red tape and rubbish – a reference to the proposed Dome Valley landfill.

But he said while north Rodney continued to be part of the Supercity, it would work with local MPs to introduce a Private Member’s Bill to improve the governance of Rodney.

Also speaking at the meeting were Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP Chris Penk, Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers and Fight the Tip campaigner Sue Crockett.

Chris Penk said he wanted to work on a collegial basis with local Labour MP Marja Lubeck on a Private Member’s Bill to improve governance.

Key elements of the bill would include establishing the principle that funds raised locally should be spent locally and that Council Controlled Organisations, such as Auckland Transport, be more answerable to elected representatives.

Meanwhile, Cr Sayers said many people were saying a review of the Supercity was needed and suggested several initiatives whereby things could be improved, including securing greater financial transparency from Auckland Council, implementing binding public consultations and setting up a “People’s Panel” to appeal poor bureaucratic decision-making.

Finally, Sue Crockett sketched the background of Fight the Tip’s campaign against the proposed Dome Valley landfill over almost three years and encouraged attendees to consider donating to help fund its Environment Court appeal against the landfill. Donations can be made at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/fightthetip.