My Account
Representatives of Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, as well as Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Julia Parfitt and deputy chair Greg Sayers were shown around Orewa town centre by Council’s Auckland design office general manager Ludo Campbell-Reid last week.
The walkabout, on October 29, was organised by Mr Campbell-Reid and Destination Orewa Beach operations manager Hellen Wilkins at the request of Council chief executive Stephen Town because of persistent complaints from residents about general upkeep and maintenance in Orewa.
During the walk, which took around one hour, it was noted that while there was little rubbish, the town needed “spit and polish” to improve its visual appeal.
Dying trees, broken paving, unpainted poles and issues that create access problems were observed.
Greg Sayers says that residents want to see local rates spent locally on things like sprucing up town centres.
He says that part of the problem with maintenance in town centres is fragmentation of services and responsibilities.
As a result of the walkabout and discussions held afterwards, a trial is being planned to find ways that different departments of Council and CCOs can work together with local boards and Business Improvement Districts to improve general maintenance outcomes.
If successful, the scheme could be expanded to Silverdale, Whangaparaoa and the wider Auckland region.
Greg says that the local board would like to have a transport operational budget so that they can manage local work such as painting pedestrian crossings. Another issue being looked at is to have one contractor responsible for everything in an area, so that there is no confusion about the lines of responsibility.
Regular meetings with Destination Orewa Beach will be held while the trial is worked out.
