Message from His Worship the Mayor Andrew Williams JP
It’s been a challenging year in which we’ve experienced significant progress in many areas while being mindful of the economic climate, the needs and expectations of our community, and changes being made to local government in Auckland. We’ve been actively consulting with the community to ensure that your views and requirements are put forward. This has been particularly evident in our submissions on Auckland Governance and in preparing the City Plan 2009-2024, which sets out the key priorities and costs for the city over the next 15 years.
Auckland governance changes
Significant change is afoot with the recent government decision to make major changes to the structure of local government in Auckland. By 1 November next year, Auckland's seven city and district councils and the Auckland Regional Council will have been replaced by one Auckland Council and overseeing a still to be determined second tier of local boards or community councils.
We are working closely with the different parties involved to ensure that North Shore's views are properly represented as the new structure is developed. Our main focus is on strong local political representation, especially at the second tier level. We also want all councillors on the new Auckland Council to be elected by wards and continued public ownership of public assets such as water supply. Among other measures, we have presented a submission to the Select Committee on Auckland Governance highlighting this council’s and our community’s concerns about a number of provisions in the Auckland Council Bill (which provides for the governance structure for the proposed new Auckland Council).
We hope that our recommendations are addressed to help ensure that the new structure continues to provide the high quality services that North Shore residents and ratepayers expect.
Focusing on our communities
Looking after our communities has been a key focus. We are committed to funding community groups and volunteers that provide vital support to the community and have therefore significantly increased our community grants programme to ensure that this sector is well looked after. The long-awaited Birkenhead Library which will be completed later this year has been one of the council’s highest priorities. Bringing an essential community and civic focal point back to the area, the building will house the library along with other essential community services including the local community board, Citizens Advice Bureau, Plunket and community co-ordinator. The building will be built to Green Star NZ status, which is New Zealand’s first comprehensive environmental rating system for buildings. And as part of our commitment to environmentally sustainable design, the building will use energy efficient technology and use of natural lighting where possible.
Work to improve Albany Civic Crescent and the nearby lakes is complete. It offers people a picturesque, accessible area near the shopping centre in which to relax and enjoy. The attractive design and features should encourage development that is more sympathetic to the lakes, and it starts to give Albany a real heart.
We are extremely proud of our city’s heritage and for the first time have developed a strategy to make it easier to identify and protect all our historic heritage resources for current and future generations
Other community wins include the Pak ‘n’ Save supermarket in Wairau Park and the new Albany Senior High School. After 15 years of legal wrangling, the Pak ‘n’ Save was finally given the go ahead. This is a major boost for the Wairau Valley, benefiting both residents and businesses. Part of a wider regeneration project, it rejuvenates the area and will encourage interest from other businesses. The Albany Senior High School was also given a green light. We worked closely with all the parties to resolve any issues and are delighted that the school will now open in 2010. It will have a hugely positive impact on the area and adds to the city’s increasing number of high quality educational facilities.
Promoting a healthy environment
Highly regarded for its relaxed lifestyle, attractive natural environment and extensive coastline, North Shore City continues to attract residents, businesses, sportsmen and visitors alike. Quality of life and safety rated highly for North Shore residents in the 2008 Quality of Life Survey, with over 92 per cent of residents rating their quality of life as good or extremely good.
The council is proud of what the city offers and encourages programmes that promote a healthy, active lifestyle. We’ve created more cycleways and walkways in the city to allow for alternative forms of travel to the car as well as for recreational activity. We’ve also listened to community feedback about cycling and walking initiatives and are putting a strong focus on safety. The opening of Chelsea Estate Heritage Park in Birkenhead earlier this year was an historical milestone. Over 15,000 people converged on the area to celebrate. The acquisition of this 37 hectare park, and other coastal land purchases, is part of our ongoing commitment to recreation and protecting the city’s natural environment.
Making progress in key areas
Work on the Rosedale Tunnel wastewater outfall, the single largest project ever undertaken on the North Shore is going to plan. This is evident in terms of activity you may see out on the water but there’s also a large tunnelling machine chewing its way under the Rosedale and Mairangi Bay area. The $116m tunnel and outfall project will take highly treated effluent from the city’s wastewater treatment plant, 2.8km out to sea into the Rangitoto Channel. The new outfall is designed to cope with the future needs of our growing city and will be completed by the end of 2010.
Better transport links and road improvements to improve safety have also been high on the council’s list of priorities. We’ve seen major improvements to key roads including Lake Rd, Glenfield Rd and Forrest Hill Rd. Work has been completed on some of these main roads or is well underway. We’ve completed the roll out of additional transit lanes on arterial routes, making it easier for buses and high occupancy vehicles to get to their destinations quicker. The Northern Busway is becoming more popular and we are continually looking at ways to make the busway more accessible. This includes the move to enable airport shuttle buses, intercity and other bus operators to use the route, as well as securing the best options possible for passengers.
Planning ahead
The economic situation both nationally and globally is still taking its toll. Costs of products and services are rising and consumers are continuing to tighten their purse strings. The council recognises this and the need to deliver best value while meeting our community’s needs. Over the last year we have been keeping a close eye on what we spend and how. We have carefully reviewed our operating expenditure to ensure we are spending money appropriately and on the right things.
The council has also put a lot of effort into preparing a 15-year plan for the city, the only city in the country to do so. We consulted widely on the draft plan earlier this year; making a number of changes to address people’s views before the final City Plan 2009-2024 was adopted in June 2009. The plan focuses on progressing key priorities, while keeping the city’s finances in good shape. It is a real challenge to deliver services and improvements to our community and keep rates increases to an affordable level, particularly during troubled economic times which are impacting ratepayers and businesses throughout the city. We were able to significantly reduce the rates increases from the previous plan prepared three years ago, while still maintaining substantial ongoing investment in the city’s infrastructure. The average rates rise is 5.2 per cent in 2009/10, well below the previous forecasts of 8 per cent. The plan also includes investment of $1.7 billion in new capital projects and $0.9 billion on renewing infrastructure over the 15-year period of the plan. We know that the new Auckland Council will need to review this plan at some stage but are sure that the effort put into consulting with our community on the City Plan 2009-2024 will assist with future planning for the wider city.
Putting our best foot forward
It’s been a great year for sports, events, art and culture. We’ve excelled at putting our best foot forward regardless of age, ethnicity or mobility. North Shore City is fortunate to have so many talented, inspired people in a diverse range of activities. The city offers a range of high quality venues and facilities that cater across the board and people are taking advantage of this. The year saw the city host a number of international and national sporting events including the FIFA U-17s Women’s World Cup, as well as an array of cultural, arts, theatre and music events. We honoured our local Olympic heroes with a parade around the city, enabling school children and the community to welcome them back and celebrate their achievements. And we’re elated that the city has been chosen to host three Rugby World Cup matches in 2011 and hosted many of the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship matches this year.
A word of thanks
I would like to thank councillors, community board members and council staff for all their hard work over the year. I would also like to thank the North Shore community, businesses, organisations and volunteer groups who contribute to making the city the diverse and dynamic place that it is.
Meeting our community's growing needs and expectations is paramount. The Auckland region is undergoing changes to its governance structure but we will continue to deliver high quality services and facilities to the North Shore community for the benefit of current and future generations.