May 2023: Local Board Member Report

Vaughans Rd Okura-Long Bay connection

A lot of you have been asking about what is happening with the connection between Vaughans Road and Long Bay (see my April blog post for more info). We'll be receiving an update at a workshop on 18 July 2023 which will be public (so people can come in person or listen online). I will post this information closer to the time or you can get in touch with me.

Kainga Ora Bonair Crescent development

This month I wrote a letter on behalf of our Local Board to the Minister for Housing and CE of Kainga Ora regarding issues raised about a potential Kainga Ora development in Bonair Crescent, Millwater. The letter explains it all - complete lack of consultation (legally required) and only finally undertaken when the community found out through rumour.

Penlink

The Minister of Transport has released a statement confirming that O Mahurangi-Penlink will be tolled to support the costs of maintaining and operating the new two-lane state highway between Whangaparāoa Peninsula and State Highway 1 at Redvale.

You can read the announcement here.

Background

In early 2022 Waka Kotahi consulted on the proposal to toll O Mahurangi-Penlink. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback which helped to inform the final proposal. All 3,337 submissions from the public were included in the comprehensive tolling proposal presented to the Minister for consideration.

How feedback was incorporated into the tolling proposal

To address feedback received, Waka Kotahi amended the tolling proposal.

These amendments were:

The toll price was reduced by 25% for end-to-end peak trips.
Removal of the proposed Stillwater Interchange toll point to reduce the number of toll points from three to two.

I also wish to confirm that the entire route, including the Wēiti Bridge is future-proofed. This means that when demand allows, there is already the space for bus shoulders to encourage uptake in public transport.

The junction with SH1, is also future-proofed to allow northern ramps when required.

More information, including the consultation report will be available here soon.

Next Steps:

Following the recommendation from Cabinet, an Order in Council will be drafted and made to the Governor-General. Once the Order in Council is signed it establishes O Mahurangi-Penlink as a toll road. This must be in force before the road is opened.

The O Mahurangi Alliance delivering the project, will continue with finalising detailed design. Enabling works were started in January 2023, and the main construction works are due to start in October. O Mahurangi-Penlink will be completed from late 2026.

For more information please visit https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/penlink/public-consultation-on-tolling/

Mairangi Arts Centre - roof works

Work is scheduled to commence at Mairangi Bay Arts Centre as part of the ‘Hibiscus and Bays – Park Building Renewal’ project. The work started toward the end of May 2023 with an estimated completion at the end of July 2023.

The project is to remedy the water-tightness issues and includes partial roof replacement, gutters and internal refurbishments after water ingress.

The scope includes:

Removal of asbestos in soffits and other small asbestos sections on roof and surround, including the Kiln room
Removal and replacement of the roof above studio one
Installation of ceiling insulation
Removal of internal gutters and replacement with external gutters
Repair to cladding and windows
Remediation of the damage from water ingress to studio one, disabled toilet and male toilet

May in photos

At the Murrays Bay Residents' Association AGM with Julia Parfitt; public safety and crime meeting in Silverdale with Mark Mitchell MP; meeting a group of 54 people from the Philippines who've just arrived in NZ to start bus driver training with Ritchies Transport; with Rebecca from the Council Waste Solution team talking about the new kerbside food scraps collection; Centennial Park Bush Society AGM; Long Bay Okura Great Park Society AGM; Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste crew who will be doing education regarding the food scraps roll out.