My Account
For more than 30 years I’ve lived on the Coast with my family and worked to make a better place for people, local clubs and societies, and sports clubs. I’ve also worked to improve our beaches, bush and parks – using community and business skills and experience to get results. As firstly a Rodney then Auckland Councillor, the motivation to do the best to serve the community is stronger than ever.
What are the three crucial issues facing the Hibiscus Coast?
- Building an integrated transport network that works to shift people efficiently, conveniently and cheaply.
- Keeping the special character of the Coast so we can continue to enjoy a high quality live, work and play environment
- Completing a number of high priority projects including saving the Hammerhead at Gulf Harbour, building Penlink and securing the Archers Block in Stanmore Bay as an outstanding reserve.
How would you address these issues?
I’d fix transport through a mix of projects including Penlink, roading/cycling/walking links including Curley Ave/East Coast Road/Millwater, Dynamic Laning Whangaparaoa Road, significantly better bus and ferry services, and better walkways and cycleways.
Enhance lifestyle and environment by more parks and walkways, pest free areas, safe swimming, higher standards for silt and pollution runoff in sensitive areas, outstanding support for libraries and leisure centres.
Completing outstanding projects through collaboration, building great compelling business cases, developing the financial packages (I have a BCom in marketing, strategy and project management), solving the ‘roadblocks’ through tenacity, skill and experience working with the people involved.
How can Council improve its performance?
Council needs to lift its game by working with communities rather than imposing, be more open and responsive to suggested improvements from community and business, run its contracts so that service levels do not slip and best value for ratepayers is achieved through innovation, keeping great knowledgeable staff and looking for constant improvement; a culture change is needed.
What would you hope to deliver in the next three years?
I aim to complete or substantially start all the transport projects including Penlink so we have a local integrated transport network that works well, have the Hammerhead land in public control as well as ownership, have the Archers Block park open, improved lifestyle, facilities and environmental outcomes and a Council that is a high performer in every respect that is valued by its community. All this is achievable.
