My Account
All the hoardings are down, glossy brochures long since deposited in recycling bins and the election a fast fading memory for most.
When the dust has settled there’s a new mayor in the town hall, a different mix of councillors around the table and some big changes in the composition of local boards, not least of which, up here on the Coast.
Amongst a number of those people referred to above there is also a strong feeling that things have to change within the Super City. When first set up, this structure was imposed on Auckland without the public having a say. Now, six years on, there appears to be the belated recognition that it isn’t working for Aucklanders the way it should.
In short it needs to be adapted and made far more responsive to the local communities it is meant to serve. That will need to happen in a timely fashion if public trust and confidence is to be restored. It won’t be achieved through PR spin or hollow slogans – it’ll require real and meaningful change to the way Council and its various CCOs interact with the public … and to what they deliver on the ground.
To be fair, it hasn’t been all the unrelenting doom and gloom depicted in some circles. Up on the Coast there have been a number of substantial community projects delivered over the last six years that would not have happened with the previous Rodney District Council. And there are a number of significant transport projects due to be rolled out over the next few months that should help the traffic situation while efforts continue to advance the timetable for Penlink. These include the expansion of the Gulf Harbour ferry service, the dynamic laning trial on Whangaparaoa Road and a multi-million dollar extension and upgrade to the Silverdale Park and Ride.
The new mayor has made it clear he’ll be pushing government for more investment in the infrastructure necessary to cope with the staggering increase in Auckland’s population. The view is that, with record levels of immigration, Auckland can’t keep adding a city the size of Tauranga every five years solely off the back of its existing ratepayer base – 40,000 new residents last year; 800 new people arriving every week!
Such an approach to the government will be greatly aided, in my view, by Auckland Council showing itself to be a lean and efficient organisation, prudent and innovative with the funds it already administers and a council that is supported by its residents.
That’s the challenge that lies ahead. It is by no means an insurmountable task and success will make for a much better Auckland for everyone.
Finally, thank you for the privilege of representing the Hibiscus Coast, this unique and stunning part of the world that has attracted us all here to live. That is an honour. Thank you again.
