Viewpoint – Community concerns

This being my initial column since the October 2019 Rodney Local Board elections, can I personally thank all those who supported myself, and the independents’ cause generally, to secure three of the four northern board seats. This is the start we sought in working toward a more transparent, community responsive local board, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Prior to the elections, I spent several weeks on the street talking with town and rural residents alike about their aspirations for the various communities in which they live. Our incoming Local Board must meet those challenges to our rapidly growing rural playground on Auckland’s back door, against a backdrop of existing facilities and services that are already struggling to meet current demand.

Concern out there includes getting our fair share of the rates we presently pay down to Auckland back up here and spent locally. Another concern is to not pay twice or more, via a series of additional targeted rates, for services that are otherwise included in the basic rates elsewhere in the Supercity. There is also a strong desire to sort out the present patch-up mentality for existing tar seal. We need to fix it right first time, we need more sealed roading and footpaths, and better maintenance of metal roads, to reduce harmful health effects. Our Local Board will be working hard to secure the recently announced increased share of Auckland’s regional fuel tax, which is presently deferred spending for five years. We need to prioritise this money for long-overdue roading upgrade work.        
What about the positives? Great to see the progress on the new Ara Tuhono Puhoi to Warkworth motorway. Having attended the most recent resident update meeting with NX2, work is well in place to span Puhoi Road early this month. Also sounding very positive is the Matakana link road, together with the recent release of the approved design to fix Hill Street.

A series of local community ratepayer group meetings has provided a range of matters for local board consideration. These include support to re-establish an Algies Bay sea wall, presently at risk of failing; getting behind the dredging project for the Mahurangi River; working alongside the various traffic-orientated community  groups, including various proposed and existing recreation facilities. Great to visit with the Snells Beach bush walk creation committee late last year as they forge their way to Warkworth. I was also fortunate to meet recently with a representative of the NZ Walking Commission and other local volunteers, discussing their desire to establish an expanded network of local walking tracks to be included within the Council’s Rodney Local Paths (Greenways) Plan, with a goal to get more of the community out enjoying the many country walkways and cycle trails.

I’m looking forward to being out and about over the coming term and am more than happy to receive a call or txt on 021 195 6366, or email, to advocate or assist.

Tim Holdgate, Rodney Local Board
tim.holdgate@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz