1.PENLINK (WEITI BRIDGE AND ROAD)

As your representative on the Auckland Regional Council (ARC), I will continue to support the building of the PENLINK toll road and bridge to provide an alternative, safe access for regular commuters and safety/emergency vehicles to the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The present ARC representative has not done this.

For the last three years I (along with Cr Gaye Harding) have been the only Hibiscus Coast Councillor who has supported and voted for PENLINK every step of the way – something you should remember when voting. I will work with the Rodney District Council, the PENLINK Team, PENLINK NOW, other agencies and YOU to get PENLINK built.

PENLINK will provide an alternative route to the peninsula, provide users with a shorter travelling route and allow all users (including emergency vehicles) to access the peninsula if the stretch of Whangaparaoa Road (from Marellen Drive to Vipond Road) is closed for whatever reason.

Alternatives (such as widening Whangaparaoa Road) would mean a rates increase, paid by all Hibiscus Coast ratepayers, and it is interesting to note that the widening of Whangaparaoa Road between Red Beach Road and Vipond Road has meant an increase of approximately 1.3% on your rates for the next 25 years. The stretch from State Highway 1 to Red Beach Road could have an impact on rates of over 2% for 25 years.

Building PENLINK as a toll road would mean the users would pay, and if you don’t want to use the road, you have an alternative.
PENLINK is also required to enable the residential and business land at Silverdale to be developed and also will mean less traffic going through Silverdale onto the peninsula, which could open up the possible connectivity between the Silverdale Township and Industrial Estate.

2. BY-PASSES

As your representative on the ARC, I will work with ALL the agencies involved (Rodney District Council, Transit New Zealand, Transfund, etc) to progress investigation and ultimately by-passes for the townships of Kumeu and Helensville in the West, and Warkworth and Wellsford in the North. The first thing is to push for the route to be identified so those people possibly affected can get on with their life.

3. RAIL LINK AND TRIAL TO KUMEU AND HELENSVILLE

Recently the ARC announced a trial of rail services to Helensville and Kumeu, which apparently is not due to start until July 2008 and will involve two trains per day – one in and one out. I will support this trial and if successful, discuss with the affected communities the possible implications if the service is implemented. The possible implications may include a rates rise because at present people in the West only pay 20% of the rating requirement for Transport activites but if a rail service is provided that figure could increase to 100%. And also intensification of Kumeu and Helensville because the two townships have been identified in the Auckland Region Growth Strategy as suitable for growth because of their location on the rail link. After considering all issues and possible consequences and discussing with the people affected I will make my decision.

4. PENLINK NEWS

The following media release from the Council is part of the latest news. Since then the following has happened?

Penlink Tolling Strategy Adopted [media release 28 June 2007]
Two of the remaining hurdles facing the proposed Penlink Toll Road project are coming to what Rodney District Council hopes will be speedy resolutions.
“ The Penlink Tolling Strategy, which paves the way for completion of the Order-in-Council application to the Minister of Transport to allow tolling of Penlink, has been approved by the Council, and will be presented to the Minister shortly,” says the Council’s Director of Transport, Murray Noone.
The other hurdle, government part-funding of the project, has already been overcome somewhat by the dramatic announcement in this year’s Budget that part of the new Regional Fuel Tax could be used as a contribution to Penlink.
“ The Budget announcements by this government have given Rodney District the confidence to focus on getting ready for a tendering process,’ says Transport Minister, Hon. Annette King.
“ My staff will work closely with Rodney once an application is made so that all statutory and legislative requirements are met. This will enable the government to consider the application without delay and enable a decision to be made as soon as possible”.
As soon as the funding legislation is adopted by Parliament, the Rodney District Council will begin the formal competitive tender process to select a public private partner to design, construct and operate the toll road.
“ We are delighted to see these Budget provisions moving forward as a matter of course in the Parliamentary process and we are delighted with the progress being made on Penlink” added Rodney’s Mayor, John Law.

5. REGIONAL PARKS

As a regular user of the Regional Parks, I understand their huge benefit to Rodney District and the Auckland Region. I will continue to support the Regional Parks and their possible expansion and use. I would like to see the Parks (some of them) used more for recreational purposes such as horse riding and mountain biking.
In particular I will support and work with the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI) in the wonderful work it is doing at Tawharanui.
In a similar vane I will continue to support the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc (SOSSI) to develop the Shakespear Open Sanctuary. Shakespear Regional Park is my local park, one which I use three to four times a week, and where I have helped with planting, wetland restoration etc.
I will work with SOSSI members to raise money, get consents and get the predator-proof fence built which will mean approximately 500 hectares of land protected by the 1.5 km fence. Along with the present Mayor (John Law) I obtained $20,000 from Fulton Hogan to “kick start” the funds for the fence. I am sure that I can get more from the community and other businesses.
The ARC timetable for the Sanctuary is:
• pest-proof fence construction in the summer of 2009/10 (means end of 2009, beginning of 2010).
I will try and get the fence built and operational by summer 2008/09 and in use by 1 May 2009.
• eradication of animal pests in winter of 2010.
I will try and get pests eradicated in winter of 2009. The sooner we get the job done, the better.

6. REGIONAL SPORTS PARKS

With the estimated increase in population in the Auckland Region and Rodney District set to reach million by the year 2050, I believe that the Auckland Regional Council needs to take a lead role in the proactive acquisition and development of land for Regional Sports Parks. Some Councils are going to run out of land for future generations to play sport, and as sports people travel across the region to play sports, I think in future Regional Sports Parks will be needed.
I will work very closely with Rodney District regarding its land (155 ha) at Greens Road, Dairy Flat, and involve the ARC in future planning/development of the land.

7. WORKING TOGETHER

I believe that it is time for the ARC and RDC to work together – not against each other. I can use my close relationship with RDC to make this happen.
I expect to meet the new Rodney Mayor and Chief Executive Officer on a weekly basis to discuss issues of mutual interest – this has not been done before. In the end, both the ARC and RDC are representing the same people and take rates from them so why can’t we work together to benefit them.
I will also work with residents, ratepayers, landowners and developers to keep Rodney beautiful and for the people to be able to live, work and play in Rodney.

8. BUSINESS LAND – WORK LOCALLY

It is a well-known fact that Rodney District has a severe shortage of business land, and one of my first priorities would be to get the ARC to work very closely with Rodney to get more land zoned and available.
Rodney needs more business land in all areas, North, East and West, and areas such as Wellsford, Warkworth, Silverdale, Helensville and Kumeu have a need for land. We need more land to encourage clean industry, to allow people to work locally and also to help relieve the burden on residential ratepayers.
WE NEED TO GET LOCAL JOBS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS

9. RESTRUCTURING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE AUCKLAND REGION

At a time when Auckland is faced with major restructuring of local government, it is crucial to be represented by someone who understands, and will look after all Rodney’s interests.

10. ARTS AND CULTURAL

I am involved in both areas in Rodney and have supported the establishment of the Rodney District Council Arts Centres at Kumeu and Orewa. I am a Trustee on the TAFI Charitable Trust, which governs the Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa and voted (along with Cr Gaye Harding) to grant $100,000 towards the development of the Arts Centre.
On a personal note I have purchased/acquired a number of artworks from Rodney artists and support most arts’ initiatives in Rodney.
I am also a Trustee on the Centrestage Theatre Trust in Orewa and have worked with the other Trustees to make the theatre successful and gain resource consent to extend the building. I have also offered my support to Peninsula Players and assisted them with their problems at the Whangaparaoa Hall.

11. TOLL FREE CALLING FOR RODNEY

I intend to work with the other ARC members, the Rodney District Council and The Penlink Team (which I understand is promoting Toll Free Dialling for the Hibiscus Coast as part of its policy) to secure TOLL FREE calling for all of Rodney in the Auckland area.
If the two Councils work together in conjunction with the residents, pressure can be applied to the telephone providers to offer all of Rodney’s residents what other people in the Auckland area already receive.

12. PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Although I do use public transport whenever I can, carpool, cycle and/or run to work I do not preach to others that they should do the same as I appreciated that it is not always feasible or possible for people to get to work by public transport. However, I do realize the huge benefits that a good transport system can have and will work with the communities where public transport is identified, it is feasible and cost effective. Before implementing any new services I will discus with those affected the possible consequences.
As a user of the Gulf Harbour Ferry to Auckland I know the benefits that I gain by having the ferry working. I will investigate with ARTA and the marina owner possible improvements at Gulf Harbour for ferry users.

13. Cycleways and Recreational Cycle Routes

As a keen cyclist I have been involved and supported the development of cycleways in certain parts of Rodney where (at the moment) they can be cost justified, subsidy can be obtained to build them or they can be incorporated in other work that are being done.
I have also been behind a NEW initiative to build a safe cycle route and believe that the successful establish of such a safe circuit for both cyclists and motorists could become a model for other districts in Rodney and the region. This route is based on a left turn only and goes from Silverdale, to Wainui, to Waitoki, to Dairy Flat and back to Silverdale. Budding cyclist can join the route at a number of locations.
As a designated route for cyclists, drivers will enter the stretch of roads aware that there may be riders on the road. If cyclists know they are going to be safe and cars and trucks know to expect cycle traffic everyone comes out ahead and lives can be saved.

14. Resource Consent Hearings

I will promote with the other ARC members the appointment of Independent Qualified Commissioners to hear, chair and write the decisions (in conjunction with appointed Councillors) ALL resource consents. This system works extremely well at Rodney District, better procedures are followed, the people hearing the application make and write the decision, the decisions are very clear and the system has been accepted as a good model to follow because of the Independent Chair along with the involvement of some local Councillors.

15. Orewa Reef

I will work with the Rodney District Council and the Orewa Reef Trust to progress this project.

16. “Green Belts” between North Shore City and Waitakere City and Rodney

I will work with YOU (the community) and Rodney, North Shore and Waitakere Council’s to identify, maintain and protect the green belts/land between the Council’s so we do not get urban sprawl. I will continue to support the NorthWest wildlife link.

17. One Voice from Both Council’s

If you are dealing with both Council’s regarding applications for your land I would like to see the ARC and RDC working closely together and NOT wasting your money. I would also like to see the term “Transfer of Power” mean actually that and once the ARC delegates transfer of power to the RDC that it “keeps its nose out” This is particularly so in places like Kawau Island and Muriwai.

18. Rates

I will be honest in discussing with you any rates impact and point out the consequences of any work that you may say you need on the rating burden. I will also look closely at the ARC Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) and see what projects/works are in the plan for future years and what the rates impacts are. You need the majority of ARC members to be on a similar wavelength to keep rates at an affordable level.

I will also seek an investigation of the ARC carrying out the administration work associated with rates, the extra cost incurred by the ratepayers and whether the other Councils can go back to doing the rates on the ARC behalf. In the past the 7 Council’s in the region used to print, post out, collect and administer the rates collection on behalf of the ARC. The ARC now prints, posts out its own rates, has a collection system (staff etc) for its rates and all these are extra costs that were not previously incurred.

19. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism)

The Rodney District Council has been a leader in this area in the Auckland Region and has been working very hard with the Council’s from the Northland Region. I have supported the Council’s stance opposing the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in field and food in the Rodney District and the North. As your ARC member I would continue that fight and get the ARC involved significantly more than it has been in the past. Just recently I was instrumental in putting pressure on to the ARC to make a change to the Regional Policy Statement to prohibit GMOs in the Auckland Region. If the ARC did this then the other Council’s in the Auckland Region would have to give effect to the decision and prohibit GMO’s in their own areas.

In the past the Rodney District Council has been the leader in the region on this issue NOT the ARC. I would canvas hard with the other members to ensure that the ARC undertook its promise, would work with RDC to ensure that there was a joint effort and the 2 Council’s were on the same wavelength and seek the communities support for this initiative.

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