Viewpoint – Add it to the list

“Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise,” said Michael Jordan, six times MVP National Basketball Association, 14 times NBA all-star. In light of the above statement, how well does the Rodney Local Board compare?

Well, in 12 years we have:

• Council controlled organisations that are building multi-million dollar busways running at a 50% loss, paid for by Rodney ratepayers.

• Rail links and cycleways in Auckland central, funded by Rodney ratepayers.

• Water projects and sewer schemes for Auckland central, again funded by Rodney ratepayers.

Our Wellsford ward and rural community is paying increasing and additional targeted rates, yet receive minimal expenditure, by Auckland Council, to deliver safer roading and drainage. William Foster (MM Feb 14) was correct when he stated that local boards need to stop investing in services and assets which don’t have assured future cash flows and which we cannot service without rates increases or targeted rates. It is time to get the fundamentals right and invest in roading infrastructure and essential services. Enough of the “blue sky” thinking and funding for non-essential “feel good” projects.

A 10-year Rodney district targeted rate for road sealing, which amassed $121 million dollars, was re-appropriated for:

• An extra 131 extra car-parking spaces for the Warkworth showgrounds,

• Funding for extra bus services

• New footpaths within the four subdivisions of Rodney.

Auckland Council also added 10 cents to fuel tax for Auckland roading projects, of which the rural community has yet to see anything. As an aside, Auckland Transport has done a good job collaborating with Wellsford Plus Projects Group, to deliver repaired footpaths to Wellsford, which has long been overdue.

Board chair Phelan Pirrie (MM Jan 31) talks about condensing complex issues down to binary ones. What is complex about wanting existing rates spent on safer sealed roads for our community? Reducing the speed limit ignores the real issue of inadequate funding for this most basic of infrastructure. Mr Pirrie supported this proposition when he stated that speed limits should not be used to delay proper road improvements or maintenance (Road Safety, MM Feb 14, p.22).

We need to get the fundamentals right and then everything else will improve. Meanwhile, Wellsford still waits for a revamped new public toilet. Oh well, just add it to the list…..