Viewpoint – Planning for growth

Since my last update to Mahurangi Matters readers, we’ve made good progress on planning for Auckland’s growth, improving public transport and protecting our environment. The Warkworth Structure Plan, approved by Auckland Council’s Planning Committee on  June 4, covers 1000ha of greenfield land on the outskirts of Warkworth. It identifies the area as an important satellite town, where, over time, staged development will lift the population from 5000 to around 25,000, creating 7500 new homes and about 5000 new jobs in employment areas.

I recently announced a total of $5 million in funding to sports organisations across Auckland through the Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund, which I introduced last year as part of the 10-year Budget. This latest funding allocation includes $1 million for North Harbour Hockey to build a new turf and $785,000 for the Mahu Vision Community Trust to develop an indoor multisport facility in Warkworth. Council funding will help ensure access to high-quality sports facilities for our communities as our city grows. Also in June, we reached a milestone of 100 million public transport trips in the past year, making this the biggest year for buses, trains and ferries in the city since 1951. To mark the occasion, Auckland Transport has made public transport on buses, trains and most ferry services free on Sunday, June 23 (see below). Every person on public transport is one less car clogging up the roads and adding carbon emissions to our atmosphere, so initiatives like this, as well as my plan to make public transport free on weekends and public holidays for those under 15 from  September 1, are important to encourage people to get on to public transport and leave their cars at home.

Our transport network has improved immeasurably, with more busways, double-decker buses, electric trains and upgraded bus and train stations and services. Service hours have been extended and the AT HOP card and integrated fares have reduced costs and made travelling by public transport easier and more efficient. As our region continues to grow, however, there’s much more we need to do, and these changes are coming. We are extending the Northern Busway, construction of the Eastern Busway has started, and the Puhinui Bus-Rail Interchange and rapid transit to the Airport and precinct gets underway in October.

We’re making progress on environmental initiatives, too. On Friday, June 14, we planted the millionth tree in my Million Trees planting project that is helping to green our city, offset carbon emissions and improve and protect water quality across the region. We have another planting day planned at Metro Park East in Silverdale on Saturday, June 29, so come along from 9am to noon or 12.30pm to 4pm to plant a tree and enjoy the free sausage sizzle.

Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland
phil.goff@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz