Roskill Community Voice

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Media release: Progress for progressive values in Albert-Eden-Roskill

Progress for progressive values in Albert-Eden-Roskill 

With one year until the local government election, elected representatives from City Vision and Roskill Community Voice in the Albert-Eden-Roskill area are pleased with their achievements promoting progressive policies since the new council was established.

The new Auckland Council came into existence two years ago and at that time many people worried it would mean local communities would lose their voice.

“We’ve been fighting to make sure the new structure looks after our local communities,” says spokesperson for City Vision and councillor for Albert-Eden-Roskill Ward Cathy Casey.

“Progressive elected members on the Governing Body and Local Boards of Auckland Council have had their shoulders to the wheel delivering better public transport, keeping rates fair, protecting heritage and the environment, and supporting investment in our local communities.

Cr Casey was speaking to launch the two year accountability reports for City Vision and Roskill Community Voice in Albert-Eden-Roskill. She says City Vision and supporting groups (made up of Labour, Greens and community independents) have been working together to try and make the new unified governance structure a success.

“We think it’s important to communicate what we have been doing at the same time as listening to what people think is important about their city. Many people tell us they’re pleased to see progressive values becoming embedded in Auckland”, says City Vision member of the Albert-Eden Local Board Peter Haynes.
“Many people had strong reservations about the ‘Supercity’ at the time of its creation, and while concerns remain, we’re working to bring Auckland together, end the negative do-nothing politics of the past and give our communities a voice.”

The reports cover the Puketapapa and Albert-Eden Local Local Boards and Albert-Eden-Roskill Ward. A report has also been produced for the Waitemata Local Board and Ward area. The reports show our elected members delivering on their election commitments, including:

  • Being staunch advocates for public ownership of public assets by fighting off attempts to privatise the airport, ports and water utility company from Communities & Ratepayer representatives
  • Advocating for stronger environmental and heritage protection standards
  • Prudent financial oversight and working to reduce the impact of the government’s amalgamation on rates – Strongly pushing for better public transport, including the City Rail Link
  • Supporting decision making at the local level to ensure local communities continue to see investment in their areas

“While some on Council have chosen to snipe from the sidelines and play negative political games, we have focussed on the issues that matter for Aucklanders”, says Roskill Community Voice member of the Puketapapa Local Board Michael Wood.

“Two years since the establishment of the new Auckland Council we are proud of our achievements, but also see much to be done. The disastrous Ports dispute must be solved fairly, CCOs need to be opened up to more public scrutiny, Local Boards need more equitable funding, the government should support our public transport agenda and Council must hold its nerve on the vision of a quality compact city. Our elected members will continue to speak up for our communities on all of these issues”, says Mr Wood.

ENDS

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Media Statement: Locals & Planner agree: Decline Pah Rd Warehouse application

“The proposal to build a “The Warehouse” on Pah Rd is ill-considered, and locals are rightly voicing their strong concern.  It is heartening to see the official Council report also recommends it be declined,” says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
The Hearing Agenda for the resource consent was released on Monday 7th February, with Auckland Council’s planning consultant recommending that the application be declined, and almost universal opposition from submitters.
Of the 23 submissions, 21 oppose the application, while the remaining 2 are neutral.  Those submitting against include the James Wallace Arts Trust, the Onehunga Business Association, and the Parks, Sport and Recreation department of the Auckland Council.  All local residents who submitted on the proposal indicated they opposed it. 
“Objections raised by locals include concerns about traffic, noise, inadequate parking, vegetation and flooding risk.  The proposal breaches a number of existing planning documents, and is out of character with the neighbourhood.  It seems likely that the proposal would have a negative impact not only for local residents but also for those who use Seymour Park as well as nearby shopping centres at Royal Oak, Three Kings and Onehunga,” says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
“Residents who have talked to us have spoken of existing problems with parking, traffic, noise and poor planning in the area.  They wish to have these issues resolved, not exacerbated by the incompatible arrival of a ‘big box’ retail development in their neighbourhood,” says Fairey.
“We are aware that many other locals oppose this development but missed out on an opportunity to submit to the resource consent process.  We hope they will take the opportunity to sign the petition circulating, and we aim to assist them to have their voice heard.  Given the planner’s recommendation and the high level of local opposition, the independent commissioners must decline this application,” says Wood.

The Council officers’ report can be read on the Auckland Council website here.

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Media Statement: Locals & Planner agree: Decline Pah Rd Warehouse application

“The proposal to build a “The Warehouse” on Pah Rd is ill-considered, and locals are rightly voicing their strong concern.  It is heartening to see the official Council report also recommends it be declined,” says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
The Hearing Agenda for the resource consent was released on Monday 7th February, with Auckland Council’s planning consultant recommending that the application be declined, and almost universal opposition from submitters.
Of the 23 submissions, 21 oppose the application, while the remaining 2 are neutral.  Those submitting against include the James Wallace Arts Trust, the Onehunga Business Association, and the Parks, Sport and Recreation department of the Auckland Council.  All local residents who submitted on the proposal indicated they opposed it. 
“Objections raised by locals include concerns about traffic, noise, inadequate parking, vegetation and flooding risk.  The proposal breaches a number of existing planning documents, and is out of character with the neighbourhood.  It seems likely that the proposal would have a negative impact not only for local residents but also for those who use Seymour Park as well as nearby shopping centres at Royal Oak, Three Kings and Onehunga,” says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
“Residents who have talked to us have spoken of existing problems with parking, traffic, noise and poor planning in the area.  They wish to have these issues resolved, not exacerbated by the incompatible arrival of a ‘big box’ retail development in their neighbourhood,” says Fairey.
“We are aware that many other locals oppose this development but missed out on an opportunity to submit to the resource consent process.  We hope they will take the opportunity to sign the petition circulating, and we aim to assist them to have their voice heard.  Given the planner’s recommendation and the high level of local opposition, the independent commissioners must decline this application,” says Wood.

The Council officers’ report can be read on the Auckland Council website here.