Chair’s monthly report Report covering the period 9 October until 7 November 2017. Highlights Good Citizens’ Awards Every two years the Waitematā Local Board hosts the Good Citizen Awards first initiated in 2013 by Shale Chambers with great support from former member Tricia Reade. The awards are the Board’s way of recognising community leaders and groups for going above and beyond for the benefit of the community and the environment. At our third Good Citizens’ Awards ceremony held last month we celebrated the huge contribution of volunteers and heard the amazing stories behind each of the nominations. We’re very privileged to have such fantastic individuals and groups out there doing good. Awards were made in four categories - Children and Young People, Individual, Community Group, Special Award for Long Service to the Community - to a diverse range of recipients from across Waitematā. (Attachment One: Good Citizen Awards citations and photos for all the recipients) 10-year budget – One Local Initiative presentation For the first time Local Boards are focusing on one priority advocacy project (referred to as an OLI – One Local Initiative) for inclusion in the 10 year budget that goes out for consultation in February 2017. On 2 November all local boards were given 15 minutes to present their OLI to the Finance and Performance Committee. I was joined by Deputy Chair Shale Chambers, members Adriana Christie and Richard Northey presenting on 254 Ponsonby Road known as “Ponsonby Park” (Attachment Two: presentation) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei marae visit On 26 October Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei marae hosted the Waitemata Local Board. It was a great opportunity to strengthen our partnership and to hear about some of their aspirations and projects, and vice versa. Ngati Whatua showed us around the marae, and introduced us to some of their projects including the nursery and worm farm. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei were led by Rangmarie Hunua, Chief Executive of Whai Maia. Asia–Pacific Cycle Congress 17 – 20 October in Christchurch I was fortunate to attend the Congress as a presenter and judge of the Cycle Friendly Awards presented at the Congress dinner. The Congress brought together excellent international speakers including the Dutch Cycling Embassy and local presenters. Attendees covered elected representatives, practitioners, researchers and advocates. A key takeaway for me from the Congress is the importance of planning the places and streets we want that work for everyone rather than focusing on “cycling” for “cyclists”. The planning has to start with addressing the car and parking (“what really determines how cities look and move is their parking rules”). A smart city is one that focuses on walkability and mobility to tackle challenging environmental and health issues. As Steve Hoyts McBeth from Portland said there is "nothing more unsafe than a sedentary kid" The presentation I gave with Christchurch Councillor Phil Clearwater (Attachment Three: From the fringe to mainstream: the politics of gaining community support and delivering successful cycling infrastructure for the future) was part of a community engagement session where lessons were shared from the Island Bay Cycleway project in Wellington about the importance of bringing the community along on cycle projects that they can end up feeling proud about. Congratulations to Te Ara Mua: Future Streets for winning the Supreme Award at the Cycle Friendly Awards organised by Cycle Action Network and NZTA (photo of Mangere-Otahuhu Chair, Lydia Sosene, Kathryn King Auckland Transport, members of the Future Streets team and judges Richard Leggat and Peter King). My flights and one night’s accommodation were paid for by NZTA. Registration and two night’s accommodation were funded from the Board’s professional development budget. Dockless bike share arrives in Auckland Interestingly just after the Congress a dockless bike share scheme started in Auckland with the arrival of 100 Onzo bikes. The company did not seek permission from Council or Auckland Transport before launching. At the Congress we heard about the phenomenal growth of dockless bikes worldwide. Philip Darnton, Executive Director of the Bicycle Association, highlighted the benefits of getting more people riding but said we need to be aware that dockless bike companies are “not interested in transport just data.” In Auckland concerns have been raised regarding the use of public facilities for parking the bikes and the potential for vandalism and dumping. AT has since advised that NZTA has drafted a Code of Practice based on best practice from overseas cities, with the intention that it be adopted and modified by councils nationally to ensure that any bike share schemes that come to New Zealand, have bikes that remain maintained and do not obstruct the public realm. AT is in the process now of working with Auckland Council’s Compliance team and Auckland Transport’s legal team to ensure the Code of Practice aligns with Auckland Council’s bylaws. Project updates Teed Street upgrade The final work has been completed on Teed St with the installation of planting and street furniture. (Attachment Four: Newmarket Business Association media release). I have been following up on potential Board support for promoting the completed upgrade to bring shoppers back to the area to support the businesses who have struggled through the construction period. Ponsonby Road pedestrian improvements project Works is now complete on Brown Street (photo right) and continuing on Pollen Street. Night work was planned for 14-17 November to install line markings and the pedestrian refuges at Norfolk St and Angelsea St intersections that have been out of action for too long raising safety concerns. West Lynn walking and cycling improvements project The West Lynn project featured in a NZ Herald story on 11 November: Auckland's Grey Lynn sidelined by cycleway project “Everyone agrees the fault lies with AT and a 'tick the box' consultation process that left the mega transport body and businesses on a different page when a genuine partnership was needed”. I have made the following comment on Facebook: I agree with the Grey Lynn Business Association & retailers that there are issues with this project that need to be sorted out by AT. The sloping footpath and drainage needs to be fixed. I also don't think the bus stop outside Nature baby is in the right place. The consultation process was undermined when AT went out for feedback during the election last year (the Waitemata Local Board strongly opposed this). AT has done a poor job communicating the need for the project and the final plans. What I do support is the need for improvements to safety and accessibility for everyone. The project addresses years of complaints and issues that have been raised by locals. For example the parking outside Harvest has changed to allow for a pedestrian build out at the Warnock Street intersection (this narrows the distance to cross). There is a new zebra crossing in the village. The design will reduce speeds. The construction has been a difficult time and businesses are receiving support to make loss of income claims. The aim is to create a more pleasant and safe walking environment that is good for business that will bring benefits to West Lynn. Four bus stops have been replaced by two new bus stops opening up new parking to serve all the businesses (three new parks across the road from Harvest, 10 new ones outside Oranga Tamariki, and more outside Cherry & White). With further changes coming to the parking restrictions there will end up being more short term parking. Also to note that the project isn't finished yet. It is work in progress. More changes might need to be made to the design if the improvements don't work as intended, but it is too early to judge. In addition, there are further upgrades coming such as a new roundabout at the Peel Street intersection. Locals have been asked for this for many years. Resignation from Board triggers by-election Mark Davey resigned from the Local Board on 16 October due to his escalating business interests. Mark has told board members he that he looks forward to seeing the continued good work the Waitemata Local Board does in the community. Nominations will open on Friday 24 November 2017 and close at noon on Friday 22 December 2017. Voting packs will be delivered from Friday 26 January 2018 and voting will close at noon on Saturday 17 February 2018. Meetings and workshops: 9 October until 7 November Weekly Chair’s meeting every Monday morning Chair’s forum on 9 October Ponsonby Business Association monthly meeting on 10 October Waitematā Local Board workshops on 10, 24, 31 October and 7 November Meeting with the Ponsonby Park group and board members on 11 October Franklin Road Community Liaison meeting on 12 October Chair’s recommendations run through Meeting with officers on 12 October to discuss Grey Lynn Park multi-purpose facility Catch up with Michelle Prior, Director within the Department of Transport in Western Australia prior to Asia-Pacific Cycle Congress Meeting with Andrew Bell, Auckland Transport to discuss membership of TRANIZ and road safety issues Meeting to discuss the Board’s One Local Initiative to be presented to Governing Body for inclusion in the 10 year budget (Attachment Two) Local Boards sub-regional workshop on 16 October Attended the Asia-Pacific Cycle Conference in Christchurch 17- 20 October and gave a presentation with Cr Phil Clearwater, Christchurch City Council (Attachment Three) Waitematā Local