1: LTCCP. The council released its Long Term Council Community Plan (the “ten-year plan”) last week. Perhaps you have had a chance to browse it, but if you haven’t, here it is! We have the chance to submit to the plan electronically by clicking the “have your say” link at the top of the LTCCP and filling in the gaps. If you are wondering about whether to choose to have your submision heard at a public hearing, tick “yes”. You can always either opt out, or nominate someone else to talk for you as a group. I envision a representative from every Grey Lynn 2030 group presenting at the submissions hearing… how about it…

If you are wondering about the usefulness of participating in the LTCCP process when the council is obviously in a state of change, the council’s attitude is “business as usual”. Don’t let the changing structure of Auckland’s governance dissuade you from participating… in fact we need more representation than ever. Our opinions are taken into account by the council.

The chance to make submission to the LTCCP finishes on Friday 19th of May.

2: Future Planning Framework. Another interesting planning initiative from the council is the “FPF”. Its the long-long term “vision” for Auckland City, covering areas like “Spatial Framework” and “Strong and Healthy Communities”. And you can read it here. Once again there’s the chance to participate online and I’d really like to see all Grey Lynn 2030 groups in on this one! There’s a forum being held by the council on Tuesday 5th May at 6pm (this is a change from the previous date) at Leys Institute in Ponsonby for which you need to register on the website (click on “Events” at the top of the page).

The chance to make a submission to the FPF closes on the 8th of May.

3: Is it a town? NO! Is it a community? NO!! It’s Supercity!!! By now we have all heard of the Supercity scheme being rushed through parliament. John Banks reverted to his old, rabid ways on the radio last week and frankly, it scared me! However it was an interesting interview with Katherine Ryan. I wrote to Nikki Kaye (our local MP) as well as every other National MP in Auckland that I could think of. Some of them even sent replies. The addresses to send to are listed in this article from last weeks Aucklander. Please do write to the MPs outlining any concerns you might have about the supercity proposal. If you are unsure about what exactly is changing, Brian Rudman summed it up quite nicely here.

In this week’s “City Scene” the Council is promoting the Future Planning Framework for Auckland. If you are interested in GreyLynn 2030 you should be interested in this. Here is your chance to tell the council how you would like to see Western Bays developing.

The web site that accompanies the document, www.Itsmybackyard.co.nz is fun to use.

In case you missed the article in City Scene here it is

Auckland is your backyard: the city where you live, work or play. Because our city’s growing, we’re making plans now to determine how all of us can use land in the future.

The Auckland City Council is hoping that you will get involved with the Future Planning Framework for Auckland. This looks at how and where development should occur in your area.

Ten area plans have been developed for Auckland, sitting under an overarching citywide plan.

Following community input, the plans will form the basis for a revised isthmus district plan, due for review in 2010.

The due date for feedback is Thursday, 7th  May.

As well as reading about the plan for your area, you can see the whole picture by visiting It’s my backyard – a special website that gives more information and accepts feedback and comment.

Look out also for displays and presentations by council officers at shopping malls and local libraries.

A list of dates and venues can be found under public notices.

International Guest Speaker Thomas H Greco, Jnr. Wednesday 8th April, 7.00pm

Venue: Auckland University Theatre OGGB5, Owen G Glenn Building , 12 Grafton Rd Auckland

The global financial crisis is no accident. It is the natural outcome of a flawed system that has long been building to a climax.

Thomas Greco explains how and why conventional money and banking malfunction, describes the comprehensive metamorphic change that civilization is presently experiencing, and outlines voluntary alternative approaches to exchange and finance that empower communities and reward people fairly.

Tom Greco is a community and monetary economist, writer, networker, and consultant, who for three decades has been working at the leading edge of transformational restructuring. He is regarded as a leading expert in monetary theory and history, credit clearing systems, community economic development and complementary currencies.

He is currently Director of the Community Information Resource Center , a US non-profit networking hub, which provides information access and administrative support for efforts in community improvement, social justice and sustainability.

Tom Greco is in New Zealand as the keynote speaker for the Community Currencies Conference being held in Whanganui April 17 – 19.

His new book, The End of Money and the Future of Civilization, is to be released this month (Chelsea Books). His previous book, Money: Understanding and Creating Alternatives to Legal Tender, is available from the Living Economies Educational Trust.

Out of all the conversations about relocalization and community resilience, the conversations about local currencies and alternative, people-centred economics may well be the most important of all and have the biggest bearing on how communities survive or not as the world financial system implodes.

Listen also to podcastfrom Kim Hill on Saturday

File Size:11.5MB – Date: (Sat, 11 Apr 2009 )

http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/sat/sat-20090411-0905-Thomas_Greco_community_currencies-048.mp3

podcast

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NB: This lecture comes at short notice. Please forward this information to all friends and colleagues who may be interested.

Thomas Greco has authored three books on monetary theory and how monetary alternatives can empower communities.

For more information, contact Peter Luiten 09 520 2984 or Laurence Boomert 027 2588807

Sponsored by: Living Economics Educational Trust, Transition Towns, Green Party.

Grey Lynn 2030 Auckland City Council Lobby / Liaison Group.

Minutes for meeting at 6pm, Wednesday 25th February 2009 at Malt, Richmond Rd.

Present: Gary, Suzy, Paul, Kail, Kim, Lynn, Gillian, Duane.

1. Self introductions, reasons for joining group and areas of interest:

Kim and Lynn are from Waste Away group, Kail works at Lifeline, Paul is on the community board, Gillian has worked on community consultation for the ACC, Gary is a designer of urban landscapes, Duane has something to contribute, Suzy is an eternal optimist. (If I have missed anyone or totally have it all wrong, my apologies, just going from memory).

2. Vision / Mission statement:

This is still a work in progress but some ideas that came up from the discussion for me were:

• To be known as the go-to group for sustainable community issues
• To be an interface between council and community on policy and sustainability issues
• To work with other groups in GL2030 on submissions to council etc
• To enable community groups to engage with council (but not doing it for them).

Focussing on the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP): http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/focus/default.asp

Word drop:

Community resilience / economic and legal reform / doing things differently in the future / understanding processes / achieving desired outcomes effectively for equality and wellbeing for all / enabling / future community / working cooperatively / urban ecology / sustainable systems / learning and growth / validating community input / access and engagement / position / personal growth / advocacy / skill sharing / positive communication / transparency, media accountability, honesty, without corporate bias / channels of communication / influence on practical policy and programmes / representatives / awareness / monitoring / values / consequence / ecological progress as opposed to economic.

3. Renaming:

Likewise, a work in progress. To be mulled over and decided at next meeting.

4. Connections with existing GL2030 groups.

Lynn and Kim from the Waste Away group talked about their process of setting up the e-waste recycling day. Here’s hoping that Woolies pulls through with some carpark space for the event!

5. Team structure, roles and responsibilities

Paul is our contact for the community board. Suzy is doing minutes. Lynn and Kim are our Waste Away contacts.

6. Contacts with council:

Paul to get some names and contact details.

7. Action points:

• Educate ourselves about policy and plans to do with Grey Lynn catchment.
• Think about other community groups we can liaise with
• Think about a name!!!
• Paul: council contacts (invite to next meeting?)
• Gillian: community consultation document
• Eva Laurence is at the community centre once a week. She’s the community services advisor for northern.

8. Next meeting:

Agreed on monthly meetings. Date set for 25th March, 2009. Probably 7.30pm. Malt was a bit noisy… any other good suggestions are welcome. We can keep in contact via email, make sure you “reply to all” and keep everyone in the loop.

Government’s RMA Bill to BAN Tree Protection Rules

Only Scheduled trees, those in Reserves or part of a conservation management plan will be subject to District Plan restrictions.

COME TO A SPECIAL MEETING

TREE COUNCIL

Saturday, 14^TH MARCH 2009, 10am – 12 Noon

Grey Lynn Community Centre, Oval Room,

510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland

TO DISCUSS OUR RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CHANGES

TO THE RMA AS IT EFFECTS URBAN TREES

What should be the key planks of The Tree Council’s submission on this Bill to the Government’s Local Government and Environment’s Select Committee?

What improvements can we suggest? Submission deadline 3^rd April

A briefing sheet will be provided.

If you want a copy in advance please contact w.massey@clear.net.nz or ph 09 425 9246