Archive for June, 2009

Example of a Supercity submission

June 24, 2009 · Filed under Auckland City Council, Community, SuperCity

SUBMISSION on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill

To the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee

This submission is from:

Mickey Mouse

43 Fantasy Avenue,

Disneyland

Submission

1. The legislation governing the unitary authority should incorporate a commitment to the following values:

  • The Auckland council recognises that people have the right to have a say in decisions that will affect their lives
  • The Auckland Council will engage the public in matters which affect them and promise that the public’s contribution will influence those decisions
  • Community Boards will be recognised as an important mechanism for engaging with local communities to determine local priorities.
  • Auckland is committed  to the achievement of  social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for all people in the city
  • Auckland Council recognises the significance of Tangata whenua and the Treaty of Waitangi in all its deliberations.

Clause

8.

  1. I support direct Maori representation on the Council
  2. I support at least 20 direct ward based Councillors and no at-large councillors.
  3. I think it may be a good idea to have fewer wards with several councillors representing that ward.
  4. The Community Board boundaries should match the ward boundaries and have a direct relationship with the councillors.

Comment: I understand the desire for people with a wider view that just local lobbying, but I cannot see how such a system will result in anything other than the narrow wealthy business view of the world.

9 The Mayor must promote a vision for Auckland but he must do this based on significant and meaningful engagement with Auckland residents. This vision must be comprehensive and reflect social, economic, cultural and environmental views – such as in the one plan. The Mayor should provide leadership and stewardship. We do not need Mayors coming in with their visions and changing the focus every three years!!  We need a comprehensive and sustainable vision. It needs to be based on proper engagement with local communities and reflect the diversity of our community. It needs to also be incorporating the views of community boards, and their views need to incorporate the views of their communities.

10 I agree with the purpose of the community board and have the following comments;

  1. Community boards should be provided with adequate staff resources and budgets to undertake local community advocacy plans to provide an opportunity for local communities to set local priorities for Boards to advocate on.
  2. These plans should form an important part of the planning process for the Auckland Council although many items will not be significant enough to feature on the LTCCP for the whole of Auckland.  The Community advocacy plans will be the document which forms the basis for community board input into LTCCP and annual plans.
  3. Auckland Council will recognise and support the community engagement process to develop the community advocacy plan.
  4. This provides an opportunity to share best practice in community engagement from across the region.
  5. An effective process at this level will mitigate to a great extent the “lack of democracy’ feared by people in the One City model.
  6. This is only true if the community advocacy plans are taken seriously by Auckland Council, and this will be the basis on which Councillors will be judged by their constituents.
  7. the boards should be able to decide on as many local matters as possible.

13 I suggest the addition of the following “function, duty and powers of community boards”

  1. to engage with the local community to develop a community advocacy plan representing the priorities for the ward.
  2. this plan is developed with support from Auckland council, and is a result of comprehensive engagement with the community.
  3. this plan should be reviewed every three years and forms the basis of the community board submissions to LTCCP and annual plans.

Thank you for the opportunity to make this submissio.

I would like to be able to present my submission in person

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Discussion document: Great Urban Rides -Auckland

June 21, 2009 · Filed under Auckland City Council, Grey Lynn, Traffic, Transport


Author

Pippa Coom

Julian Hulls – Director

Contact

caa-logo

Nextbike logo small July 2008

132 Symonds Street

greaturbanrides@gmail.com

julian@nextbike.co.nz

021 926 618

021 154 8371

Background

With the recent excitement about the concept of a national cycleway and the firm commitment to create a series of “Great Rides” we see a very real opportunity and a wide range of benefits in ensuring that New Zealand’s major cities have “Great Urban Rides” as a key part of the network, and that these be included in the first rides to be announced at the end of June 2009.

Why “Great Urban Rides”?

The concept fits just as well for tourists as it does for city residents and will generate similar benefits and returns as the proposed regional Great Rides. In addition the Great Urban Rides deliver some distinct benefits:

Pass interesting places for tourist and useful places for locals. Great Urban Rides give access to iconic city experiences that any tourist will remember whenever they talk about their time in New Zealand. Similarly it provides Kiwis with a recognized route that they can ride onto from home and ride off to get to university, work or city events. This in turn gives locals more transport options, community connections and experiences while keeping them fitter, healthier and more productive.

Linking together the hidden and invisible pieces of the puzzle. By blending together the short sections of existing cycle lane, the corridors that regular cycle commuters use and the pre approved/budgeted cycle lane projects it’s possible to see a simple clear network. Because a portion of this work is already pre approved but unstarted, work and benefits can be seen quickly.

Catches tourists at the easiest points in NZ. With the majority of tourists landing in Auckland and then passing through Wellington and Christchurch, it makes sense to give them a quality taste of the cycling experience with little of the logistical struggles. Buoyed by this experience tourists are more likely to commit to a 3 day wilderness tour. It would be possible to direct tourists to regional rides in the flyers for the Great Urban Rides

Low cost high value return with Great Urban Rides. Conventional wisdom might suggest that rides only work if the road is “greened” with dedicated cycle lanes, however we believe there is a low cost solution to this that will enable the above wins. The key is identifying and communicating usable routes on existing roads and directing riders to these at off peak times. In time scheduled roading upgrades will introduce traffic calming measures, that enable more riders to be safe and comfortable using the roads over a greater range of days.

Route selection

The Great Urban Rides will be a compact network that balances the following traits:

Provide safe and fast transport by bike. Safe and fast do not always go together however it’s important to strike a balance here so that existing riders are encouraged to use them and new riders or tourists feel comfortable doing more rides.

Pass interesting places for tourists and useful places for locals. The potential range of route locations is large (Art galleries to zoo’s for tourists and bank’s to universities for locals) so the routes are circular in nature enabling riders to hop on and off to cover most of the distance between the start of their journey and the end.

Use geographically obvious routes to encourage regular use but still be achievable for the first time rider. Experienced transport riders learn to use slow climbing hills and “ride the ridges” often at the expense of the most direct route, tapping into this knowledge will be key to the success of the Great Urban Rides.

Maximise existing infrastructure and leverage off proposed plans. There are a number of disconnected cycle lanes in existence already and more that have had planning work and fund allocated. Accelerating these will ensure some quick to implement, low cost routes.

Overtime Great Urban Rides will evolve and spread further into the regions that surround the city. In the first instance it could be trialled in one of the major cities and the learnings made available to similar cities around New Zealand. We believe that the city with the biggest potential win for both tourists, locals and the economy is Auckland. See Appendix 1 for suggested initial routes.

Route rollout

Identifying route. In the first instance the routes will be identified with a logo and direction arrow. These would be placed on existing signage poles and as road markings at key intersections. The routes should also be available online and as flyers from information outlets. Local riders will be encouraged to use the routes at weekends for large events like Music in the Parks or in the evening. Tourist would be shown around the routes on organized tours or rent their own bike to explore themselves. Suggested time frame to complete 4-12 months. Capital cost – Low ($50K Estimate)

Traffic calming. With a number of major road improvements and cycle lanes approved but yet to be started the routes will become safer for a larger number of days in a typical week as these planned improvements are made. These measures will include slower vehicle speed limits, increased cost of parking, cycle lanes and riders gaining safety in numbers as their positive experiences grow. Identifying these as early as possible and using the National Cycleway to kickstart them will get significant return on investment. Examples include Rugby World Cup walking corridors, Regional Council cycle network proposals and road upgrades for buses. See Appendix 2. Suggested time frame 12-36 months. Capital cost – Business as usual ($0)

Greening routes. The long term goal would be to see the Great Urban Ride “greened” with dedicated cycle lanes. The network becomes a tangible hop on hop off asset that is as useful as the London Underground whilst showcasing the city and giving people the chance to use active transport. Suggested time frame 12-60 month. Capital cost – Moderate (+$1M Estimate)

Next steps

Painting a clear picture of what is possible and gaining support for an Auckland Great Urban Ride(s) is critical for ensuring the concept is included as one of the first great rides to be announced by the Ministry of Tourism at the end of June 2009. This discussion document has been drafted by Next Bikes and Cycle Action Auckland as a first step to achieving this and to assist us with:

  • Identifying and gaining support of key stakeholders and likely champions
  • Confirming the route rollout as a realistic approach
  • Identifying pre approved projects, timeframes and cost
  • Identifying likely infrastructure gaps and the potential costs to overcome these
  • Compiling a high level proposal for the Ministry of Tourism – Due 19th June 2009

Appendix 1

Map shows proposed Great Urban Ride network in Auckland

  • Available on Google maps – Link embedded

Appendix 2

Map shows

  • Existing bike lanes and routes
  • Proposed bike lanes
  • Roads favoured by riders and/or enough space
  • Available on Google maps – Link embedded

Last printed 11/6/09 10:13 AM

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Winter Soulstice Celebration

June 17, 2009 · Filed under Community, Events, Grey Lynn

Winter
soul*stice
*A Living Communities Trust Playtime Event
~ That keeps the Community Cosy and Connected!

Celebrating our
Deepest Season,
Matariki
And
Papatuanuku.

Meet our Grey Lynn
grassroots movers and shakers.

Ritual space,
Sharing kai together.
Get your grooves on with Jonny Corker,
The Manatar Ourboros &
The 5 Elements of Synathesia
African Drumming and Dancing with Jimmy Dale,
Mohamed Bangoura
~master percussionist and kora player,
Crystal Whips and The Evolutionary Scientist!

June 20th Saturday
7pm on the dot
$10@door

Bring homemade / homegrown
~simple, low karma kai to show off and share!

Bring a cosy cushion for your bottom.

Dress to celebrate the magic of being alive.

Saint Columba Church Community Hall,
next to the Famous Grey Lynn Community Garden!
92 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn

Remember walking, dancing, skating or biking
to the event and home is considered to be very cool!


wintersoulsticecommunity@gmail.com

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Earth Whisperers/Papatuanuku at Bridgeway, Northcote

June 16, 2009 · Filed under Climate Change, Community, Events, Film, Green Screen, Spirituality, Video

Earth Whisperers is going to have a special screening – Monday  29th June – 8.30

For more details contact the Bridgeway Theatre or www.wickcandle.co.nz

Kathleen Gallagher’s latest film Earth Whisperers/Papatuanuku was shot at spectacular locations around New Zealand by acclaimed cameramen Alun Bollinger and Mike Single. This absorbing feature documentary focuses on 10 visionary New Zealanders out to prove that a shift in consciousness can heal our environment. You’ll be inspired, and never look at stinging nettle in your garden in quite the same way again!

In the words of Kathleen Gallagher, director:
‘This is a unique number eight wire/Kiwi-style approach to Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.’

This is a movie that doesn’t just rock the boat — it rocks the world!

These 10 extraordinary New Zealanders featured in this film show us what can be achieved

  • Craig Potton, photographer and environmentalist
  • Prof Alan Mark, botanist and guardian of Lake Manapouri
  • Charles Royal, Maori food expert and chef
  • Hugh Wilson, bird and tree farmer
  • Kay Baxter, heritage seed saver
  • Rita Tupe, Tuhoe healer
  • Isla Burgess, herbalist
  • Gerry Findlay, bird caller
  • Makere Ruka, Waitaha kuia

Earth Whisperers

See the trailer Earth Whisperers

Review

“A film in which some of the best known names in the New Zealand environmental movement reflect on their relationship with our earth, Papatuanuku, is as relevant as it gets for this festival. A meditative film with the distinctive feel of Aotearoa, Earth Whisperers allows people like Craig Potton, Cath Wallace, Barry Brailsford, Alan Mark, Hugh Wilson and seven others to explain how our world moves them and what motivates them to advocate on its behalf. As if those interviewed didn’t comprise an impressive enough list, the credits include the likes of Keri Hulme, Geoff Park, Andrew Pennikett, Alison Ballance, Richard Nunns and others. It’s a virtual tour of Aotearoa and a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through belief, dedication, and passion for our world”  Reel Earth

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Pasedena Intermediate Salsa Night

June 16, 2009 · Filed under Community, Events, Kids

Pasadena Intermediate is holding a Salsa night on Saturday 27th June as a social evening and to fundraise for a new library computer for the school.

A dance instructor will be teaching how to dance the Salsa and first glass of wine and nibbles will be provided as part of the $20 ticket price. The Salsa night starts at 7:30. The actual dance instruction will go from about 8:15-10:00 after that there will just be general dancing and socialising so nipping off early would not be a problem at all.

Salsa DanceSmall prizes for mystery balloons or raffles are required and the organisers hope that the local business community will generously donate these. All donations would be greatly appreciated and sponsors would be thanked and named in the school newsletter. This is a good marketing opportunity as the newsletter goes to families in the surrounding suburbs as well as Pt Chevalier, primarily Westmere and Mt Albert. We’ve managed to get some fantastic spot prizes (over 30) everything from Massages to Caving trips.

If you can help with donating a prize and/or wish to purchase a ticket please contac:

Sally Ann on email: sasutcliffe@xtra.co.nz or phone: 8151530

or call into Pasedena Int with a cheque made out to “Community At Pasadena” (or C@P).

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Supercity Submission Information out West

June 16, 2009 · Filed under Community, SuperCity

The GAG information and submission stall will be out and about in Waitakere City from this week to enable people to learn more about the issues and help them make a submission to the select committee on the Super City.

The stall includes a video camera so that people can make a spoken submission if they prefer.

This week the stall will be in the following locations:
Tuesday 16 June (afternoon) – New Lynn Library
Wednesday 17 June (afternoon) – Glen Eden Library
Thursday 18 June (afternoon and evening) – Lynn Mall (unconfirmed)
Friday 19 June – Waitakere City Council are holding an open day to help with submissions at Westwave Aquatic Centre in Henderson.
Saturday 20 June (morning) – Oratia Farmers Market (unconfirmed)
Sunday 21 June (morning) – Avondale Market (unconfirmed)

On Friday 19 June Waitakere City Council are holding an open day for making submissions at Westwave Aquatic Centre in Henderson.

If you’d like to help with the stall the GAG team would love to hear from you. We need more volunteers so we can cover more locations for longer. Please email westiegag@gmail.com if you can help.

Next week the stall hopes to be in Massey Library, Ranui Library, Henderson Library and Westfield West City Mall. We will confirm dates and times soon.

Submissions close on Friday 26 June.
Advice on making submissions can be found on the GAG website at http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.gag.net.nz

Plus there’s a CC4A planning workshop this Saturday:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103486713800

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