Viewpoint – Learning the ropes

Kia ora and happy new year everyone. As this is the first Viewpoint I write as a Rodney Local Board member, I wanted to share an insight into what goes on here behind the scenes. Scratch the surface of this machine and you find a team of staff who handle many queries, juggle deadlines and support us every day.

The local board staff work particularly hard when there are newbies such as myself, and there are five of us this term. The induction training they provided was comprehensive, professional and intense to bring us up to speed. Even so, there is much more to continually learn in this ever-changing world of local government. We are kept busy with continual emails and documents that relate to projects, department services, reports, budgets, applications, deputations and more. It’s important I feel prepared and informed, so I head into each meeting with my laptop full of pre-read material, including notations and highlights, so I can accurately query things on your behalf.

As newbies, we are eager to contribute and make changes based on what we felt with you from the outside. We quickly learn there are limits to what the Board has input into, particularly with budget constraints arriving at our door, but that doesn’t mean we are powerless. Our most important contribution is as your advocate, to assist you wonderful community members who are keen to make a difference, or provide another voice in issues you may have. Please invite us along to any meeting or event, to share what you may need help with. Due to our limitations, our help may be given in collaboration with others who can be of more help, and that’s okay, too.

For everyday things you want improved that cause us all regular issues, there are tools to use. Keep lodging any issues you see, as the more people who report it, the higher up the priority list it goes.

• Report a road or footpath issue online at https://at.govt.nz/about-us/street-maintenance/road-footpath-maintenance/ or phone 09 355 3553.

• Report a water, wastewater or stormwater fault online via https://www.watercare.co.nz/Faults-outages/Report-a-fault (up to 4 hour response) or phone 09 442 2222 for an immediate response.
Of course, please contact us if you don’t feel your reports are being dealt with.

We are reviewing our Rodney-wide local plan, which is your local plan, so please take this opportunity to have your say about what is important to you. You can do this online or pop in to see us at our engagement events in March (details to be confirmed).

To register for local plan feedback and more information about the Local Board (contact details, plans, news, events, meetings, reports) go to: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/how-auckland-council-works/local-boards/all-local-boards/rodney-local-board/Pages/default.aspx