End of July already and again, lots happening
For those of you with dogs, remember July 31 is the last day to take advantage of the discounted dog registration fees. These change to higher rates as of August 1st .You can read more below
Better Value Projects (or keeping an eye on our capital expenditure) has only been going for three months but already we have been able to deliver projects at better prices by using the 10 principles the mayor produced to deliver the same work, at a lower cost.
We have also halted several projects to reassess costs, which has seen several repriced considerably lower. The 10 Better Value Project principles include increased use of standard designs; setting maximum prices; added rigor to scoping and design work; additional problem definition and value assessments; and careful selection of providers, across location and performance measures.Next month the committee I chair ( where this work is done) will provide a summary of the benefits of this work programme which I’ll share with you.
Talking about capital projects, the scaffolding is off one of our most iconic buildings, the Auckland Town Hall clock tower. Bird deterrent works and replacement of some of the materials that have eroded over time have been completed and its all good for another 100 years or so.
We have had some wild weather lately and the Orakei Ward hasn’t escaped the effects of that.
At The Landing, the floating pontoons got damaged but are now back operating. Sadly we have lost some big trees too ( one particularly big one in Mission Bay by the toilets) so arborists are giving some of our known big trees an extra check.
Talking weather, the work we did raising Tamaki Drive and adding large catchpits that drain to the sea, has proved a sound investment over the 2023 storms and beyond.
Last month there was some surface flooding outside OBC for the first time since that investment. I had our team check out the drains and there were some blockages (you should seen what’s in the sea!!!) We now have a process that our catchpits along this important commuter route will be checked (including through to Mechanics Bay) when we know bad weather is coming, its started but we have a few more to go You will always get waves overtopping during high tide if the wind and tides align, but the key is the drainage.
The good news is that the preventative works we did with floodgates at Kohimarama seem to have worked and no reported damage has been reported there.
Planting wise, I joined a hundred or so volunteers over two Saturdays this month and planted nearly 5,000 plants at Churchill Park. Was really pleased to support the Orakei Local Boards revegetation of that wonderful Glendowie asset. Over 40 hectares of open space, which twice in years gone by ( well ,well before I was a councillor I might add ) has had council try and sell it for development but locals fought back and won. Sort of reminds me of how I fought to save Colin Maiden Park from development ( and won).
Looking after our young people in the city – For those of you with young people who like to come into town at night, we now have a new ‘safe space’ in the city centre open 10pm to 3 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Located outside Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place. Take 10 Auckland is a drop-in space with water, phone chargers, beanbags, and friendly volunteers trained to offer support. Whether someone’s lost their mates, wants to wait for an Uber, or simply needs a safe place to sit, Take 10 is there to help. The initiative is part the City Centre Safety Plan and is backed by the city centre targeted rate (not general rates) delivered in partnership with the Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust (VSCT), which has successfully run a similar service in Wellington for more than eight years. With more than 50,000 students studying in the city centre each year, the pilot, which started during university O Week semester 2, is also part of a broader push to ensure our city is seen as one of the best in Australasia for student experience.
Frustratingly we are still seeing instances of bronze plaques going missing on some of our local commemorative pillars/assets. Most recently from Nancy Steen Garden and the Mission Bay Fountain. I am working closely with our Parks and Community Facilities team in two ways. First, to replace the missing plaques using materials that cannot be sold for money but will look like the original brass or copper and secondly, collaborating with police to contact those who may receive these in exchange for money to reduce the risk of further theft. I have written to the New Zealand Association of Metal Recyclers to ask for their support in identifying stolen Auckland Council plaques and to the Police to assist identifying those scrapyard merchants who are not members of the NZ Association.
You will have noticed the work started on the St Heliers Changing Rooms a few months ago. As with many listed heritage buildings, we have heritage obligations regarding materials used during renewal works. Unfortunately, there has been a bit of a delay due to some material coming from overseas as well as the wet weather. That said, the project is expected to be completed in August. Like others I cannot wait to see the community back enjoying the renewed building.
KiwiRail have done the noise testing and have identified two more options to reduce the ‘screeching trains’ sounds across Hobson Bay These include the replacement of a maintenance bridge beside the rail over Hobson Bay and the turning on of the lubrication pots Let’s hope these two initiatives help. Ongoing testing will occur to check on the noise levels and I’ll keep you posted as to those results.
I’m sure you’ll all have seen the work underway to construct the boardwalk in Hobson Bay – the stage 4 of the shared path joining Tamaki Drive to Orakei Road. So far work is progressing on time ( and budget) .Remember, if you have any concerns, questions or feedback please get in touch by emailing ATengagement@AT.govt.nz
Finally, nominations are in for both your Orakei councillor and the Orakei Local Board. You’ll have some choices so please take time to get to know who is standing, make sure you’re enrolled to vote and when its time vote for who you think is the best. ( Yes I am standing again)
As always feel free to contact me if you have any questions or queries Desley.simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz