Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1 July 2015 - 30 June 2016 Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1July 2015 – 30 June 2016 2 Table of Contents Message from the Chair ............................................................................................. 4 Waitematā Local Board Members .............................................................................. 5 Waitematā Local Board Governance.......................................................................... 6 Official Duties ........................................................................................................... 11 Waitematā – The Economic Hub .............................................................................. 15 Local Engagement…………………………………………………………………………15 Planning for Waitematā……………………………………………………………………18 Local Board Agreement………………………………………………………………18 Seismic Exemplar Guidebook ……………………………………………………….18 Auckland Domain Masterplan………………………………………………………..19 Becoming a Low Carbon Community……………………………………………….20 Newton and Eden Terrace Plan……………………………………………………..21 Major Projects and Initiatives…………………………………………………………......22 Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway………………………………………………..22 Ellen Melville Centre Upgrade……………………………………………………….23 Myers Park Development…………………………………………………………….24 Newmarket Laneways………………………………………………………………...25 Symonds Street Cemetery…………………………………………………………...25 Low Carbon Initiatives………………………………………………………………...26 Ecological Restoration………………………………………………………………..27 Waipapa Stream Restoration………………………………………………………...28 Greenways……………………………………………………………………………..28 Cox's Bay Reserve……………………………………………………………………29 Western Park Upgrade……………………………………………………………….30 POP Programme………………………………………………………………………30 Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Improvements………………………………………...31 Drinking Fountains…………………………………………………………………….32 Playground Renewals………………………………………………………………...32 Bonus Floor Provisions……………………………………………………………….32 Community Development…………………………………………………………………33 Empowered Communities……………………………………………………………33 Accessibility……………………………………………………………………………35 Child-friendly Local Board……………………………………………………………37 Waitematā Youth Development……………………………………………………...38 Community Grants and Funding………………………………………………………….39 Local Improvement Projects………………………………………………………………41 Local input into Regional Policies………………………………………………………..42 Local Events………………………………………………………………………………..43 Transport Advocacy………………………………………………………………………..47 Looking Ahead……………………………………………………………………………..51 Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1July 2015 – 30 June 2016 3 Message from the Chair Over the past year, the Waitematā Local Board worked hard, in consultation with the community, iwi and key stakeholders, to deliver the vision and outcomes of our Local Board Plan 2014 and fifth Local Board Agreement. January 2016 marked the completion of the first phase of the Weona-Westmere Walkway, a project that will open up some of Auckland’s finest waterfront, which until now has been largely inaccessible to the public. The re-development of the Ellen Melville Centre into a vibrant community facility in the heart of the city took a step forward this year after the public consultation for the concept design, which will include a permanent public artwork on the O’Connell Street façade. In November 2015, we proudly became the first local board to launch a localised low carbon plan with the publication of ‘Becoming a Low Carbon Community’, which contains a series of actions towards transforming Auckland into an energy-resilient low carbon city. In line with our commitment to put children and young people first, we continued working towards the ‘Child Friendly Cities’ UNICEF accreditation, including children in the consultation process for the Western Park playground renewal and local area- based plan for Newton and Eden Terrace. Utilising our major park development plans as guidance for prioritisation, we oversaw significant enhancements to pathways in Grey Lynn Park and Western Park, plus an important path renewal in Cox’s Bay Reserve, in order to improve the experience for people walking and cycling. Embracing the community empowerment approach, where individuals, families and communities have the power and ability to influence decisions and take action, we continued supporting a number of initiatives aimed at building capacity, leadership and skills. We also funded and supported events that represent the area’s diversity and local identities, like Parnell Festival of Roses and Myers Park Medley. All these great things were achieved thanks to the support and passion of our local communities, who bring new ideas and lead the way when it comes to shaping the initiatives that will continue to transform Waitematā into a better place to live, work, study, play and visit. Shale Chambers Waitematā Local Board, Chair Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1July 2015 – 30 June 2016 4 Address: Waitematā Local Board office, 52 Swanson Street, Auckland Central Postal address: Auckland Council, Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 Email: Waitematā[email protected] Phone: 09 353 9654 Facebook: www.facebook.com/Waitematā Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1July 2015 – 30 June 2016 5 Waitematā Local Board Governance Local boards are a unique and vital element of Auckland Council’s governance. Driven by a great understanding of their communities, the Waitematā Local Board members have worked together to achieve progress in areas of priority determined by the community through the Local Board Plan 2014. An important factor in the many things that have been achieved over the 2015-2016 period is the close working relationship with the various arms of council, including the governing body, council departments, council controlled organisations and other local boards. Members Deborah Yates, Greg Moyle, Deputy Chair Pippa Coom, Christopher Dempsey, Chair Shale Chambers, Rob Thomas, Vernon Tava Working with the Mayor and Governing Body To effectively represent and advocate for their communities, local boards need to work collaboratively with the governing body and other council control organisations. Examples of this cooperation for Waitematā Local Board include: Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1July 2015 – 30 June 2016 6 Auckland Domain Committee The Auckland Domain Committee is a joint governance committee comprised of three governing body members, three local board members and two members of the Independent Maori Statutory Board. This committee has the decision-making responsibility for parks, recreation and community services and activities for the Auckland Domain. Since its formation in 2015, the committee has been working on the development of the Auckland Domain Masterplan, which will incorporate the various projects impacting on the park, including plans to improve its connectivity, facilities and amenities. Waitematā Local Board Chair, Shale Chambers, is the deputy chair and members Vernon Tava and Rob Thomas also sit on this committee. Councillor Mike Lee, Waitematā Local Board chair Shale Chambers, Councillor Christine Fletcher, Karen Wilson, Independent Statutory Maori Board member and member Rob Thomas at the Domain’s garden nursery. Urban Cycling Investment Panel Deputy Chair Pippa Coom was appointed to the Urban Cycling Investment Panel by the Transport Minister, on the recommendation of Local Government New Zealand. The panel was tasked with assessing cycleway projects that councils from across the country put forward for funding from the Government’s $100m Urban Cycleways Fund. The panel provided recommendations to the Minister of Transport on the final Urban Cycleway Programme. The funds that Auckland received from the Urban Cycleways Fund together with Auckland Council and NZTA funding have accelerated the delivery of safe cycling facilities in the city centre, including the Nelson Street cycleway, Quay Street cycleway and connections to Point Chevalier and Parnell. Waitematā Local Board Achievements Report 1July 2015 – 30 June 2016 7 World War I Political Steering Group The World War I Political Steering Group (WWIPSG) is made up of governing body, the Independent Maori Statutory Board and local board members. It aims to foster and support the activities related to the centenary of the First World War, which are being marked through commemorative events, projects and activities over the 2014-2019 period. Over the past year, this group has worked on the development of a World War I Memorial in the Auckland Domain. In February, a design team was selected to undertake the construction of a commemorative and contemplative monument to mark the centenary of the Great War. Member Greg Moyle is deputy chair of this steering group. Submission made by the winning designer. Work continues to develop a final design that takes into account public feedback, that of veterans and the steering group Fukuoka Friendship Garden Advisory Group The Fukuoka Friendship Garden Advisory Group was established in April 2014 to restore the traditional Japanese garden that used to sit in the grounds of Auckland Zoo. After Western Springs Lakeside Park was identified as an alternative site for the garden, the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Advisory Group recommended a concept design that was endorsed by the Waitematā Local Board in May 2015 and taken to detailed design phase. The advisory group is made up of councillors, Waitematā local board members, members from the Independent Maori Statutory Board and members of the Friends of Fukuoka Gardens. It is supported by council staff,