As It Is In Eden


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Roundup 17th March to 4th April

Transport – AKT
Bus changes include outer loop.
HOP integrated Card Launched.
How HOP tag posts look.

Auckland Transport Blog
The role of rail in Auckland.
Is the Government insane?
My thoughts on the proposed bus changes.

Rudman
Auckland’s plan but Wellington calls shots.
Standing room only as Aucklanders embrace a transport revolution.
Flattery no substitute for cash when it comes to visions of a flagship city.

Herald on Brown Bread
City pays $56m for new IT system.
Extra $3m Cup costs ‘a test of our mettle’.
U-turn on amenity funding.

The Local Bawd
Meet the Bawd to discuss their vision (bring specs) .
Draft plan as a pdf .
Bawd meeting on April 6th.

Central Leader
Anger over road closures near Eden Park.


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Roundup 6th March to 16th March 2011

Auckland Council
Feedback on the People’s Panel.
AKT
Water and the Three Kings quarry.
No new Govt investment in Auckland transport for 10 years.
Fate of Morningside murals.
Auckland Transport
Govt wants Spatial Plan to be a 1960s document.
More on the govt’s Spatial Plan papers.

Herald
Cabinet looks at draft Auckland plan.

Hide plans a liveable city for trucks.
Hide’s Auckland plan ‘stone age’ says Lee.


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Festival in Sandringham on 27th March 2011

Auckland International Cultural Festival is a fascinating celebration of the food, dance, sport, art and craft of a vast array of cultures and traditions.

This community-oriented event hums to an entertainment showcase of traditional performances across three stages, including a dedicated youth performing arts arena, and sports activities.

Over 100 stalls will offer traditional foods from around the world, arts and crafts, clothing and fair trade goods.

Many food stalls are run by families and community groups, and the festival offers an opportunity to taste authenticity at its best.

Festival attendees have the opportunity to sample products from over 40 nations around the globe.

When: 27 March 2011, 10am-5pm

Where: Mount Roskill War Memorial Park, 13 May Road, Sandringham

Cost: Free


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Tree love

Under current rules Auckland residents require consent from the Council to fell big trees on their property. Two categories of trees are protected by the general tree protection control:

In most residential areas (residential zones 1, 3a, 5, 6 and 7)

• exotic trees, (those which are not native to NZ) including the roots, over 8m in height or with a girth of greater than 800mm (measured 1.4m above the ground)

• New Zealand native (indigenous) trees including the roots, over 6m in height or with a girth of greater than 600mm (measured 1.4m above the ground).

In all other areas Indigenous and exotic trees, including the roots, over 6m in height or with a girth of greater than 600 mm (measured 1.4m above the ground).

In 2009 National made changes to the Resource Management Act that made it illegal for Council’s to employ blanket rules for the protection of trees.  After 1 January 2012, ANY unscheduled tree (native or exotic) on private land on an urban section under 4000m2, which has a building AND reticulated water and sewage, can be felled with no requirement for permission or consent.

However, individual trees which have outstanding ecological, visual, historical  or botanical value may be nominated for protection. Citizens have until 31st March to nominate special trees in their neighbourhood. You can find the details on this page.


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Roundup 23rd Jan to 20th Feb

The Board
Albert-Eden board sets out todo list.

Rugby World Cup
Brian Rudman wants improvements to the facilities on Mt Eden.
Home owners cash in on demand for accommodation.

Rates
Can Len Brown keep his promise to limit the rates increase to 4.9%?
Streamlining waste disposal.
Where are the transport $ going – Part1.
Where are the transport $ going – Part2.

Transport
Baldwin Ave train station reopens.
St Lukes residents want shuttles to the train station.
Dominion Rd public transport users should be heard.
Dominion Road upgrade survey results.
The case for Transit oriented development.
NZTA double standards in Owairaka.
Train fares are going up.

Environment
The blanket protection for large trees is going.
Nominate specific trees for protection.


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Halfway down Dominion Road

Auckland Transport blog has an excellent update on the plans for Dominion Road that is worth reading in full.  Here’s a taste:

In the debate over Dominion Road, once again the quietest voice seemed to be that of the bus rider. I’ve heard that at peak times over half the number of people travelling along the Dominion Road corridor are on the bus – and these people are the ones who will benefit most from the public transport improvements. But where is their voice? Who is asking the bus riders what they think of various options to improve public transport along Auckland’s busiest bus route? When Auckland City Council made the decision to prefer T2 lanes rather than bus lanes along Dominion Road, did they ask any bus riders what they might think?


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Roundup of the first 3 weeks of 2011

Democracy in action?
The Aucklander: Maori make move on Auckland Council
Herald Editorial : If Maori are to vote, give them the seats
Brian Rudman : Badly drafted Super City law reopens Maori representation
AKT:St Lukes Goes To Appeal
Herald: Setback in residents’ bid to block McDonald’s in Balmoral
Transport
Brian Rudman: put buses on the Mayor’s To Do list
Auckland Transport:Dare I hope for better buses?
Auckland Transport:Dominion Road & K Street Transitway
AKT:Animated Auckland PT Map
AKT:Report Slams Official Waterview Claims