Waitematā Local Board

What we propose in your local board area in 2021/2022

We will:

• Improve air and water quality and clean up our waterways. Encouraging restoration of local

  streams, such as Waipapa, Waiparuru and Newmarket streams, and supporting programmes that improve biodiversity in the Hauraki Gulf.

• Grow our urban ngahere (forest) and prioritise planting at sites identified in the ‘Planting Opportunities List’ that will help deliver the goal of providing 30 per cent of tree canopy cover within our local board area by 2050

• continue to work with mana whenua, and community groups and across council to identify appropriate sites for regenerative urban farms which will capture carbon, that increase biodiversity, enrich soils, improve watersheds, and enhance ecosystem services, with the aim that they become self-sustaining and create employment
• continue to provide support to address homelessness and improve dignity and wellbeing - this includes initiatives that provide basic amenities, such as drinking fountains, showers, toilets and lockers.

Key areas of spend

Community services

Operating spend 2021/2022: $21 million

Capital spend 2021/2022: $11 million

Environmental services

Operating spend 2021/2022: $257,000

Planning services

$8.9 million

Governance

Operating spend 2021/2022: $1 million

Key advocacy initiatives for 2021-2031

Increase funding for water quality improvements

We are advocating to the council’s Governing Body to increase funding to accelerate improvements to our stormwater / wastewater systems.

This will address growing public concern about pollution in our waterways and bays, including, particularly Hobson Bay, and help achieve cleaner harbours, beaches and streams.

Restore and reopen the Leys Institute and deliver Ponsonby Park

We are advocating for funding to strengthen and reopen the Leys Institute for library and community use.

This Auckland Council-owned building is home to a popular community library and gymnasium and was closed to the public in December 2019 due to seismic and structural issues.

We also want the Governing Body to allocate the remaining $5.5 million to deliver the civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road and find the $5.5 million of remaining funding to deliver the park project for a growing community to provide a much needed area for the growing community.

Reinstate Local Board Transport Capital Fund

We are advocating for reinstatement of the regional Local Board Transport Capital Fund to the pre-COVID-19 level of $21 million annually and for previously allocated funding of $38 million – lost through council’s Emergency Budget – to be fully restored.

This will allow us to improve road safety, and street scaping including the revitalisation of St Georges Bay Road, and support cycle lane programmes that contribute positively to the environment and community wellbeing.