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At the One Mahurangi Business Association’s annual meeting at Warkworth Bridgehouse on October 29, manager Murray Chapman praised the power of collaboration in tackling major local issues.
In particular, Chapman highlighted the group’s success in persuading Watercare to opt for tunnelling rather than trenches for the majority of the construction of the new sewage pipeline from Warkworth Showgrounds to Lucy Moore Memorial Park.
“It was really gratifying to see that because of the meetings we had [with Watercare], the petition we did, the meetings that were held at board level, that suddenly there was a change of attitude and we got the plan that we wanted with the tunnelling.”
He added, “I can’t find anywhere else where a town has won against Watercare. Watercare have actually said to us that because of their interaction with us, they are trying desperately to change the culture within Watercare when it comes to working with communities.”
Chapman said One Mahurangi’s bi-monthly Transport and Infrastructure Forum was another classic example of people working together.
“It’s MP Chris Penk and co-chair Dave (Stott), but we have Auckland Transport, Watercare, Auckland Council, Supporting Growth (a collaboration between Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency).
“A lot of those groups, plus councillors, local board members and community groups all come along and we look at issues.
“Rather than back a bureaucrat into the corner and beat the living daylights out of him, we actually come up with solutions – and that works far better. It really does.”
