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A hi-tech way to let Rodney residents have their say on its 2020 draft Local Board plan via special live web events didn’t quite come off last month, with one webinar cancelled and the other attracting just 10 participants.
In the past, public Have Your Say events have been staged in Warkworth and Wellsford when a new plan has been out for consultation, but this year just one public meeting will be held, in Orewa on August 12, and two live, interactive web presentations were organised instead.
However, the first webinar on July 22 attracted just 18 registrations, 10 “attendees” and only a couple of people asked questions. Local Board staff said three board members – chair Phelan Pirrie, deputy chair Beth Houlbrooke and Danielle Hancock (Kumeu) – were on the panel, while Louise Johnston (Dairy Flat) listened in but couldn’t join the conversation and other members tried to connect, but couldn’t. Mahurangi Matters also tried to join in and failed.
A second webinar, aimed at under 25s on July 27, was cancelled after only one person registered to attend.
Mr Pirrie said afterwards that webinars were a new way to reach and hear from people who may never have attended an event before.
“This is the first time the Local Board has held a webinar,” he said. “Using Skype broadcast is a new system for us. Everything learned from this and all feedback will be used to make improvements to webinars in the future.”
Meanwhile, the 2020 Rodney Local Board draft plan remains open for feedback until August 13. Mr Pirrie said the impact of Covid-19 meant the board would have to be “agile” in its work programme to ensure it was responding to community needs, as well as identifying and capitalising on the “unique opportunities brought about by such adversity”.
“The pandemic will also demand heightened rigour over our prioritisation, particularly where the initiatives we are proposing are dependent on funding,” he said.
The draft plan focuses on the following five key areas:
Transport – including road safety and maintenance, bus services and footpaths
Environment – including water quality, pest eradication and waste minimisation
Infrastructure and development – including town and village centre improvements and establishing a business improvement district for Wellsford
Community resilience – including ensuring suitable emergency plans, supporting local libraries and community halls
Parks and recreation – including park development plans, volunteer support and a new multisport facility in Warkworth
How to have your say
A public hearing-style meeting with Local Board members and staff will be held at the Auckland Council chambers at 50 Centreway Road in Orewa from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, August 12. Anyone wishing to speak on the Local Board draft plan needs to book a 10-minute slot – to register, email rodneylocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
The draft plan can be read and submissions made online at akhaveyoursay.co.nz/lovelocal
Submissions can also be made on the Rodney Local Board Facebook page, but the tag #lovelocal must be included in any post for it to be counted. The draft plan and submission forms are also available at Warkworth, Wellsford and Mahurangi East libraries, or from the Council service centre in Baxter Street, Warkworth.
All feedback needs to be submitted by 4pm on Thursday, August 13.
