One of the biggest decisions at the moment is the Auckland Council budget for the next 10 years. The Ōrākei ward comprises of a mix of communities from two local board areas, Ōrākei and Waitematā. Responses are catalogued by board area, not by ward, so it’s always a bit challenging to know what my wider ward feedback says. To help, each local board considers feedback from their area and officially resolves in a public meeting their advocacy for councilors to support.
So, what did the local board feedback say? On general rates, both the Waitematā and Ōrākei local boards supported a one-off 5 per cent and then 3.5 per cent for the remainder of the budget. Why? Because this higher investment in year one will enable a greater investment into the Ōrākei ward over the next three years.
Climate change: both boards supported investment into initiatives that will help mitigate the impact of climate change.
Water quality investment — both boards supported an increase and extension to the water quality targeted rate, which directly invests in water quality enhancements in line with the general rates rise. The key reason behind this was the ability for this money to be directly spent on Hobson Bay and improvements to beaches from Parnell to Glendowie. The increase also allows this work to be brought forward six years, and started next year.
At time of writing the final call has not been made but I am hopeful the mayor will amend his proposal noting the feedback, especially as it applies to extra water quality investment which wasn’t part of his original proposal. I will update details of the final decisions, which will be made later this month, in my newsletters and on my website (desleysimpson.co.nz)
If you live near to the Waitaramoa Reserve on Shore and Portland roads, you may be aware of the Waitaramoa Wetland Enhancement project. This is a year-long environmental project which will clear sediment from the streams in the reserve and remove blockages in order to reduce flooding events. I have long been an advocate for action on the longstanding issue of flooding on Portland Rd following heavy rain, and am extremely pleased to see progress.
While there have been some frustrating Covid-related delays, things are now finally underway. The project went out for tender in early May. The first step in the process, to commence in August, is vegetation removal. That will include the removal of 2000m2 of mangroves from the stream, 10 large crack willow trees and three Brazilian pepper trees, whose roots are restricting stream flow.
The waterway desilting stage of the project will commence in October, and is expected to continue for eight months. 7000m³ of silt will be removed from the stream and be reused to build a landform, or mound, on the Hobson Bay side of Waitaramoa Reserve. This mound will represent future flood levels over the next 100 years. At the same time, walking tracks and footbridges will be upgraded to enhance access and enjoyment of the area.
Each tree that will be removed will be replaced by two native specimen trees. These won’t be small trees either, we are talking pūriri, kōwhai and pōhutukawa, which will grow to be 4 to 6m high. In total, 15,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted, significantly more than what’s there now. Planting work will greatly enhance the ecological features of the area and will take place towards the end of the project, which is expected to be next March. The final part of flooding mitigation involves raising the bottom section of Portland Rd. This will be managed by Auckland Transport (who I thank most sincerely for putting up with my nagging about this and finally supporting delivery).
Ever since I was a child, we have seen rubbish bins floating down the road and frequent flooding, causing major safety concerns for the users of lower Portland Rd, a major transport route for local residents and the four neighbouring schools. Construction associated with this will take place next year. To those of you who are impacted by the Waitaramoa Reserve works or have an interest, I would urge you to reach out to our Healthy Waters staff via HWcustomerandcommunity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. They can answer any questions and continue to update you on the project.