Feedback on congestion pricing in Auckland
I wrote feedback to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee inquiry into congestion pricing in Auckland. This was an important one and I’m always pleased to be putting my hand up to make sure that feedback is submitted on consultations like this, that represent the feeling of our community. At our May Board meeting, the Local Board officially resolved on it (retrospectively.) Here was my feedback on behalf of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board:
1. Supports, in principle, the exploration of a congestion charging scheme in Auckland’s Central Business District
2. Does not support congestion charging in the wider Auckland region, for the following reasons:
To give effect to the intention of a congestion charging scheme and to provide credible options for people to transition to public transport, the public transport network would require significant investment. We believe such investment would be required before a congestion charging scheme was introduced and therefore, we question the cost-benefit of introducing such expensive (upfront and ongoing) technology when sufficient public transport investment may drive the desired changes of increased public transport use and reduction of CO2 emissions.
Mitigating equity impacts of a congestion charging scheme would be complex and would need to cover a wide range of groups and situations (e.g. community service cardholders, residents who have limited or no alternative modes of transport to switch to, parents and caregivers with children who require transport to day-care/school, essential workers and essential travel).
The introduction of a congestion charging scheme may have an unintended impact on people’s income and has the potential to not only hurt community services cardholders but those who have very limited disposable incomes.
If any congestion charging scheme was introduced in the wider region, funds collected should be apportioned back to the area they were collected from, for re-investment as opposed to going into a central fund.
Notes that the following concerns relating to the introduction of a congestion charging scheme in our local board area:
Some communities in our local board area have no access to public transport, namely, Okura and Stillwater
Other communities have limited options, such as Millwater, Orewa North, and the western reaches of Browns Bay through to Mairangi Bay.
There are many more communities in our local board area where people do not live near a bus stop.
Parking facilities at Park and Ride Albany and Silverdale stations are full by 7am, further limiting our residents’ options to use public transport.
We believe a congestion charging scheme could unfairly disadvantage families in our community. Many young families have both parents working full time who need to travel by car to work at peak hours (there is limited industry and business parks in our Local Board area) and who also have child-care arrangements that necessitate using their cars (requirement to drop/pick-up children from day-care, school and after school sports and activities).
Many sporting and other activities that children and adults participate in are in large regional facilities and we have concerns that a congestion charging could have the unintended consequence of reducing participation in such activities
Long Bay farm cottages up for sale
Inside the Long Bay Regional Park, north of the Rangers’ station, there are two old farm cottages. They’ve recently been put up for sale by Templeton Group (Long Bay developers). At our Local Board business meeting last month, Julia Parfitt and I put forward two motions (endorsed by all), to support the urgent acquisition of these properties by Council and for an urgent staff update.
Just prior to amalgamation, North Shore City Council was able to acquire all the neighbourhood reserves in Long Bay and the bulk of the heritage protection zoned land, except for the two farm cottages. We believe there is significant value to have them included in the Park and utilised by, and for, the community.
Okura bush walkway update
This much-loved bush track has been closed from Haigh Access Road since 2018 for track repairs, to help protect ancient trees from root damage and Kauri dieback. In late April the Department of Conservation had a walkthrough of the track with Friends of Okura Bush and mana whenua. Further consultation will be occurring to resolve some outstanding issues as they work towards lifting the rāhui.
Browns Bay boardwalk update
Work is underway on renewing the boardwalk along Beachfront Lane. They’ve started on the skatepark end and will move along in stages.
Good news
We approved the timber boardwalk renewal from the skate park to Phoenix Plaza to go ahead and sought more information and a light consultation on the end section to the Bays Club (a second option may have been concreting). This was because the costs to boardwalk the entire thing came in way over budget due to the current high cost of wood on the international market. The community responded with a clear directive to have it all boarded like-for-like and the final costs came in a little lower in the end, so I’m pleased we are retaining the look and feel of the boardwalk all the way across the reserve.
Bad news
Unfortunately, despite initial investigations, the sleepers in the substructure were found to be rotting and near the end of their life. This means the whole substructure will need to be replaced too and the wood order coming from overseas has a backlog, so work will be halted for a few weeks until it arrives.
What’s up in Mairangi Bay
Disruption to traffic: Beach Road, Cambells Bay – Castor Bay
Traffic has been a nightmare for commuters along Beach Road. This has been due to single phase lights around Auckland Transport work upgrading a crossing to make it safer. It’s due to wrap up soon, but the pain will continue, unfortunately.
Watercare are replacing an aging wastewater pipeline in Castor Bay, which has become high priority due to recent breaks. The replacement work is on Beach Road from around Castor Bay beach to Aberdeen Road. This is going to be a big job and will require some managed lights or signals around the work as it moves along in stages. I’ve been in touch with Watercare with requests to help ensure it causes the least amount of disruption possible and commuters are warned well in advance with alternative routes advertised. It’s going to be a big piece of work taking a few months to complete.
Mairangi Bay Wastewater Pump Station upgrade
The Mairangi Bay Wastewater Pump Station replacement is about to get underway with contractor Pipeline and Civil now appointed. This has been in the planning since 2012 with the Local Board. The project will be very visible near the Mairangi Bay beach, with some work required in the road on Sidmouth Street, creating the need for traffic management in this area. The project is important and will improve local beach water quality and cater for population growth. The new pump station will be competed late 2022 and the old station demolished in 2023. For further information, visit www.watercare.co.nz and search ‘Mairangi Bay’ or email mairangibay@water.co.nz.
A Kowhai tree in memory of Clive Williams
In October last year, locals were saddened to learn of the passing of Clive Williams. He was a much-loved resident and friend to many, and the well-known kind and friendly face at the Z station for over 12 years. We heard the community’s desire to have something done in remembrance of Clive and Julia Parfitt has been working with his daughter to make this happen. Julia has organsied a Kowhai tree, grown from seed by Northcross Intermediate students, to be planted within the Mairangi Bay playground in Clive’s memory.
New Community Patrol car hitting our streets!
Last year I was fundraising with my sister Erica Stanford, for North Harbour Community Patrol (NHCP). As volunteers for them, we decided to launch a fundraiser to get a second new patrol car out on the streets so that NHCP can double its patrol efforts and help keep our community safe. Thank you to all the generous donations from people in the community and our new incredible sponsors North Harbour Hyundai, Harcourts Cooper & Co and Benefitz. Read all about it here:
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