Chatswood Finally gets Smooth

After years of community lobbying, Chatswood is finally getting smooth seal on its roads. For years locals have had to tolerate noisy roads and tar on their carpets and chewed out shocks and brake pads because of the appalling chip surface. Now Auckland Transport has agreed to upgrade the seal to a smooth coating. Yay for safer quieter neighbourhoods!

Milford Plans are over the Top: Down with Up!

The government has it terribly wrong when it suggests that the Milford plan change decision is an example of "costs, delays uncertainty and poor outcomes". The decision was entirely appropriate in reflecting the will of the community. Unfortunately, Auckland Council has slipped a nasty eight storey blade, into the heart of Milford, during the distraction over 17 storeys. Council's soothing tones fail to accept that eight storeys are far too high for Milford and the community objects to that grotesque height as well. Also, lost in the discussion is Council's planned additional staggered heights and densification in the surrounding roads. Milford's experience is a prime example of ‘community beware’ when assessing the implications of the Unitary Plan. Eight storeys are also planned for Northcote, six for Glenfield and Highbury along with neighbouring streets impacted by six and four storey intensification, without any thought of the social impact. I have been told that the Political Working Party decisions were made in apparent illogical and random acts of selection. The density proposals of the Unitary Plan should not be imposed on communities without a comprehensive community impact report so that the true effects can be carefully assessed by the community.

Takapuna Campground

It is great that Councillor George Wood has sided with the community over the Takapuna Beach campground. I have noted with concern that since the formation of the Auckland Council, the pervasive direction is the commercialistion of community activities. Too often community events or projects are furthered only if there is a financial return that matches some forecast on a Council spreadsheet. I applaud decisions made in a businesslike manner but some community activities are well loved and hard to measure in an economic sense. We are seeing an increasing and alarming focus solely on economic return for the city. This measure has triggered discussions of whether neighbourhood parks should be sold if not used by formal groups or sports bodies. Local contractors have lost out to regional conglomerates, and local events to regional extravaganzas. The economic focus seems to take precedent over cultural, environmental or social returns to the community. The community has to be vigilant to ensure that an holistic view of its wellbeing is considered in Council’s decision-making processes. Takapuna Beach campground is a fabulous example and it seems as if in this case, the community view might just prevail.