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Members of the LCPA voted in favour of a motion to have the rural portion of the Rodney Local Board targeted rates returned for use on roads.
Local Board Member Colin Smith says if Wellsford residents don’t submit on the 2020 plan, the town won’t receive funding for development.
The Rodney Local Board has invested $25,000 in producing a report on priorities for development in Wellsford and board member Colin Smith wants residents to endorse it.
Top priorities outlined in the Wellsford Community Voices report include developing Centennial Park, establishing local training opportunities for youth, Friday night food markets, new toilets and turning Wellsford into a cultural destination.
Mr Smith hosted a meeting with the Landowners and Contractors Protection Association (LCPA) this month and told residents they needed to participate in the democratic process if Wellsford was to get its fair share of funding for development.
The 2020 Rodney Local Board plan is currently open for submissions and residents are invited to share their ideas for the future of the district, including Wellsford, either online or via forms in public libraries.
Mr Smith says when submissions were open for the first Rodney Local Board plan in 2014, only three submissions were received from residents in Wellsford.
“In 2017 we got 2000 submissions, and this year I want 4000 submissions,” Mr Smith says.
“Warkworth is a satellite city, so of course it gets funding and development. They say it’s coming for Wellsford, but we are still just funding the City Rail Link with our rates.
“It’s up to us to speak up.”
The topic of the Rodney Local Board transport targeted rate came up at the LCPA meeting.
Mr Smith said he would vote against using the targeted rate funds for a temporary park and ride in Warkworth and instead advocate their use for sealing rural roads.
“I’m not voting for that park and ride. I don’t care. We can use the new PAK’nSAVE as a park and ride.”
Mr Smith said the Local Board was trying to have the popular Warkworth to Wellsford 998 bus service funded by Auckland Transport, which would free up rate funds.
Submissions on the Local Board plan are open until April, and once a new plan has been drafted it will be again open for submission.
The Wellsford Community Voices booklet, along with a form for endorsing it, is available at the Wellsford War Memorial Library.
