...The vast Albert-Eden-Roskill ward is facing dissection by two new powerful forces.Click through for the whole article.
They are not political forces, but transport corridors. The Waterview Connection and the proposed Dominion Rd upgrade both cut through the heart of the new ward, and are the biggest talking points heading into next month's election.
With one councillor to 75,000 people in Albert-Eden-Roskill, candidates for the two local boards (Puketapapa, Albert-Eden) say they will have councillor-like status if elected. The competition is stiff, with 42 candidates competing for 16 seats.
...Puketapapa, commonly known as Mt Roskill, is also Labour territory but has traditionally voted for Citizens and Ratepayers on the strength of the Hay family and their conservative Christian vote. The territory is no longer the Bible belt of Auckland, and C&R face a challenge from a new political ticket, Roskill Community Voice, aligned with City Vision.
Roskill Community Voice are challenging Citizens and Ratepayers on two controversial proposals - the removal of the Monte Cecilia School in Hillsborough and the proposed upgrade of Dominion Rd. The $30 million relocation of the Catholic school to create space around the Pah Homestead has been called a "shameful" waste of money by the group.
The council has also proposed to make Dominion Road a T2 highway, which would require the removal of parking spaces on the road. Businesses at the Mt Roskill end say it would ruin their trade.
Roskill Community Voice wanted an end to the "neglect" of Mt Roskill's shopping centre, which is in stark contrast to the Eden Village at the other end of Dominion Rd.
C&R felt the most important issues were giving a voice to the diverse communities in the Puketapapa region, and lifting young people out of unemployment...
Showing posts with label Dominion Rd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dominion Rd. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Herald on Albert-Eden-Roskill ward in 2010 election
Published in the Herald print edition, Tuesday September 14th 2010, including the following:
Monday, 6 September 2010
Media Statement: Boards must take control of Dominion Rd shambles
“We are thrilled by C&R’s limp back down on their shambolic Dominion Rd proposal, but we are concerned by what will happen next”, says Michael Wood a spokesperson for Roskill Community Voice, a team contesting the Puketapapa Local Board.
“From the beginning C&R’s plan was a shambles. They purposely tried to force it through in a rushed timeframe to get it in place before the October elections. So flawed was the plan though, and so great was the resistance from local communities, that they had no choice but to back down”, continues Wood.
“The tragedy of the botched process is that it has obscured the fact that there are real issues on Dominion Rd. It is not pedestrian friendly, traffic is often heavily congested, public transport requires further improvements, and cyclists face real peril. We have always agreed that Dominion Rd needs changes, just not in the way that C&R proposed.”
“Following on from that undemocratic process, we are now really concerned that Auckland City is sending the issue to Auckland Transport, the new CCO that is run by unelected government appointees. What we really need is for the issue of Dominion Rd to come back to the communities of Dominion Rd.”
“Our position is that a new plan for Dominion Rd needs to be developed at the grassroots. A Roskill Community Voice Local Board will hold public hearings about the future of Dominion Rd, and we will include all of the stakeholders from the start. We did not accept C&R hijacking the development of this Auckland icon, and we will not accept an unaccountable CCO doing the same”, concludes Wood.
Ends
“From the beginning C&R’s plan was a shambles. They purposely tried to force it through in a rushed timeframe to get it in place before the October elections. So flawed was the plan though, and so great was the resistance from local communities, that they had no choice but to back down”, continues Wood.
“The tragedy of the botched process is that it has obscured the fact that there are real issues on Dominion Rd. It is not pedestrian friendly, traffic is often heavily congested, public transport requires further improvements, and cyclists face real peril. We have always agreed that Dominion Rd needs changes, just not in the way that C&R proposed.”
“Following on from that undemocratic process, we are now really concerned that Auckland City is sending the issue to Auckland Transport, the new CCO that is run by unelected government appointees. What we really need is for the issue of Dominion Rd to come back to the communities of Dominion Rd.”
“Our position is that a new plan for Dominion Rd needs to be developed at the grassroots. A Roskill Community Voice Local Board will hold public hearings about the future of Dominion Rd, and we will include all of the stakeholders from the start. We did not accept C&R hijacking the development of this Auckland icon, and we will not accept an unaccountable CCO doing the same”, concludes Wood.
Ends
Monday, 16 August 2010
Media Statement: New survey shows Mt Roskill sick of being ignored
"A new survey reveals that Mt Roskill residents and shopkeepers are sick of their main shopping area being ignored", says Michael Wood a spokesperson for Roskill Community Voice, the new team contesting the Local Board elections in Puketapapa.
"Our survey shows that our run down shopping strip on Dominion Rd is in desperate need of attention. We have hit the street to survey local shopkeepers and shoppers, and their verdict is overwhelming. 73% say that the Council has not done enough to support the area, while 91% say that more people would shop on Dominion Rd if the area was improved," says Garth Houltham, another Roskill Community Voice candidate.
"Local shop keepers are also fuming about the C&R Councils plans to remove street parking. They are genuinely fearful that this move will kill their businesses. Roskill Community Voice is committing to stopping the process if elected, and going back to the drawing board with full public hearings on the Dominion Rd plans", continues Wood.
"All in all, local residents and businesses have had a gutsful of being ignored. We are a humble suburb, but we pay rates and we deserve some attention and support too. We want to see a proper precinct plan developed for Mt Roskill so that we can plan for a vibrant future that is good for business and local residents," continues Mr Houltham.
"Mt Roskill needs to be listened to, and we need some investment in our town centre. We need to support local businesses, and give the community a centre that it can be proud of. C&R have failed to deliver, and are now ramming through a poorly thought through plan. A new team is needed to give our community a voice", concludes Wood.
ENDS
"Our survey shows that our run down shopping strip on Dominion Rd is in desperate need of attention. We have hit the street to survey local shopkeepers and shoppers, and their verdict is overwhelming. 73% say that the Council has not done enough to support the area, while 91% say that more people would shop on Dominion Rd if the area was improved," says Garth Houltham, another Roskill Community Voice candidate.
"Local shop keepers are also fuming about the C&R Councils plans to remove street parking. They are genuinely fearful that this move will kill their businesses. Roskill Community Voice is committing to stopping the process if elected, and going back to the drawing board with full public hearings on the Dominion Rd plans", continues Wood.
"All in all, local residents and businesses have had a gutsful of being ignored. We are a humble suburb, but we pay rates and we deserve some attention and support too. We want to see a proper precinct plan developed for Mt Roskill so that we can plan for a vibrant future that is good for business and local residents," continues Mr Houltham.
"Mt Roskill needs to be listened to, and we need some investment in our town centre. We need to support local businesses, and give the community a centre that it can be proud of. C&R have failed to deliver, and are now ramming through a poorly thought through plan. A new team is needed to give our community a voice", concludes Wood.
ENDS
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Media Statement: Shambolic Dominion Rd proposal must stop
“Another example of shambolic consultation”, is how Roskill Community Voice spokesperson Michael Wood describes Auckland City’s plans to significantly change one of Auckland’s busiest roads, Dominion Rd.
“Once again, we see a major proposal that will cost a lot of public money being rammed through. Our sources tell us that the proposal is being deliberately rushed through by the C&R majority, ahead of the Supercity elections. Even the current rushed process only came about because Councillors Fryer and Casey demanded an extension”, he continues.
“Critically, the rushed process means that the community has not had a real say. We have talked to nearly every single shopkeeper at the Mt Roskill shops, and they feel totally out of the loop. People support better public transport, but this support will be lost if they feel like their voice is not being heard”.
“This feeling is increased by the fact that C&R candidates have already come out saying that they know what the solution should be, inclusive of daft ideas like abolishing the bus lane and turning it into a T2 lane. We doubt they’ve talked to anyone in Mt Roskill before making these pronouncements”.
“We are calling for the consultation to be halted until the new Council and Local Boards are elected. If Roskill Community Voice wins control of the Mt Roskill Board we will demand full public hearings on the proposals so that everyone in the community has a voice. We are sure that such a process can lead to some sensible outcomes that balance better public transport and cycling options with local business needs”, concludes Wood.
ENDS
“Once again, we see a major proposal that will cost a lot of public money being rammed through. Our sources tell us that the proposal is being deliberately rushed through by the C&R majority, ahead of the Supercity elections. Even the current rushed process only came about because Councillors Fryer and Casey demanded an extension”, he continues.
“Critically, the rushed process means that the community has not had a real say. We have talked to nearly every single shopkeeper at the Mt Roskill shops, and they feel totally out of the loop. People support better public transport, but this support will be lost if they feel like their voice is not being heard”.
“This feeling is increased by the fact that C&R candidates have already come out saying that they know what the solution should be, inclusive of daft ideas like abolishing the bus lane and turning it into a T2 lane. We doubt they’ve talked to anyone in Mt Roskill before making these pronouncements”.
“We are calling for the consultation to be halted until the new Council and Local Boards are elected. If Roskill Community Voice wins control of the Mt Roskill Board we will demand full public hearings on the proposals so that everyone in the community has a voice. We are sure that such a process can lead to some sensible outcomes that balance better public transport and cycling options with local business needs”, concludes Wood.
ENDS
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