MoveNorthShore.co.nz » city council

Keep Our Beaches Beautiful

Pip White — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:38:03 +0000

Just had an RSS feed from the Auckland Council that’s worth taking note of. With the rainy season ahead of us – oh yippee! – there’ll be lots of extra stormwater running onto our beaches and out to sea. We love the beach lifestyle here on the Shore – the longest urban coastline in NZ – and we need to keep it clean and beautiful. Washing your car on the lawn (or at a designated carwash facility) keeps that filth and detergent out of our swimming beaches and streams. Take a look at the council article on how to preserve our coastline and waterways.

Make Sure the Bay’s Voice is Heard on Auckland Council

Tony White — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 05:31:04 +0000

I was rather disturbed by the undemocratic nature of ACT’s Rodney Hide actions in establishing the Auckland Council, without consulting the people of Auckland. You can argue that there was a commission of enquiry about Auckland’s governance, but their recommendations were not followed.

Anyway it was a fait accompli, and before you knew it, Rodney had done the job.

But the result for the East Coast Bays has been abysmal. There is no one on the Auckland Council representing the people of the Bays. Your standard of living is in danger. It’s notable that one of the first things these guys did was increase the rates by 4.9% and gave themselves a pay rise of up to 50%. Nothing has changed.

East Coast Bays is in the Albany ward and has two ward councillors, Michael Goudie and Wayne Walker, both from Whangaparaoa. I have to say that the new politicians on the various boards know the danger and are out there meeting the people in a way that the old North Shore City Council never did. Michael Goudie was Twitvited to the opening of Albany Optometrists and is making sure he meets locals on the old North Shore. He is very active on his Facebook site and you can see he is fully engaged with reporting back to his electorate. But how does this affect East Coast Bays?

Supposedly the Hibiscus and Bays board will represent your interests. That means there are three layers between you, as a resident of East Coast Bays, and the decision makers in Queen Street. How are the residents of East Coast Bays going to make their voice heard?

Recently, local board chair Julia Parfitt stated to me that it is notable that the standard of services that we have in the Bays is much higher than that in Hibiscus. It is up to the residents of the Bays to protect their interests. How can we do that when we have no representation on council? There is a battle brewing and it’s over the rates you pay and where that money is spent. Is it right that the rates collected in the Bays is used to build stormwater drains and roads in Hibiscus Coast? It is up to you.

If you want your voice heard and your money spent where you want it to be spent you will have to take action. Right now there are few ways for you to make your voice heard at the top. You have had many of your rights taken away recently, and you need to make sure your voice is heard.

Here’s three ways:

1 Join your local Resident and Ratepayers Association. The local board members attend these meetings and it is your opportunity to speak at least indirectly to Auckland Council. Here’s Campbells Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association’s website.

And a list of resident and ratepayers associations on the old North Shore Council’s website.

2 Mayor Len Brown has established The Auckland Council People’s Panel for Aucklanders who want to have a say on issues and be a sounding board for future plans, policies, innovative new services and service improvements.

Shelley Watson, Manager Communications and Public Affairs says the People’s Panel gives Aucklanders an opportunity to provide feedback on the things that are important to them.

“We want to know what Aucklanders think about our services, policies and plans, and to hear new ideas about how Auckland can become the world’s most liveable city.”

Joining the People’s Panel is easy. Simply log on to the People’s Panel, complete your details and Auckland Council will invite you to complete your first survey or feedback form.

Participants will be asked to provide feedback on at least three topics a year via a monthly email. In return, Auckland Council will share the results and feedback so that residents can see how their views are impacting and shaping council policies, plans and services.

The scary part is that Auckland City and Rodney are fully represented on the People’s Panel. There is little representation from the Bays, so join it and make sure they know what you think.

3. Let Wellington know how you feel. It is no coincidence that Wayne Mapp has decided to quit politics. Why would one of National’s best and most experienced politicians quit now? Because he knows that National is going to come under immense pressure in Auckland for backing ACT’s plans for Auckland just to get power. Make sure Rodney doesn’t get back in and make sure you tell John Key not to take the North Shore electorate for granted.

365 Days | #4 | Join a Community Planting Day

Pip White — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:08:57 +0000

Organised by the North Shore City Council, community planting days run from May to September each year with the aim of improving our city’s parks and natural environment. This involves planting native trees, shrubs and grasses, which helps fight weeds, minimise erosion and provide habitat and food for native birds and other wildlife.

Last year, volunteers planted an impressive 15,000 native plants in North Shore parks and reserves – it’s a great thing to be involved in, fun for all the family, and a worthwhile contribution to your community. Forthcoming planting dates in 2010 are:

Sat 3 July – Kaipatiki Project, Glenfield – help plant trees in Eskdale Reserve, 9:30am-12pm. Meet at Eskdale Primary, opp. Speedy Cres, Glenfield Rd

Sat 3 July – Centennial Park Bush Society, Campbells Bay – Kowhai planting day – 10am-12pm. Meet at top of Kowhai Rd

Sun 4 July – Standish Reserve, Bayview – planting trees, BBQ to follow – 10am-12pm. Look for signposts end of Pemberton Ave

Sun 18 July – LeRoys Bush & Little Shoal Bay – planting day – 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 60 Maritime Tce

Sun 25 July – Stredwick Reserve, Torbay – planting day – 10am-12pm. Look for signposts from the reserve entrance in Stredwick Drive

Sat 7 Aug – Kaipatiki Project, Eskdale Reserve – planting followed by BBQ – 9:30am-12pm. Meet opp Speedy Cres on Glenfield Rd

Sun 15 Aug – Chelsea Estate Heritage Park, Birkenhead – planting trees – 10am-12pm. Look for signposts end Rawene Rd

For more information and planting dates, go to the city council website. Wet weather cancellations broadcast on Newstalk ZB or contact Actionline (09) 486 8600

3 individuals from the Centennial Park Preservation Society have just won awards for their weedbusting work.

Do Up Opportunity

Tony White — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:45:24 +0000

Great Do Up Opportunity in Forrest Hill

The minute I walked down the drive and across the flagstones I knew I was about to see another classic do up opportunity in the heart of Forrest Hill.

Why do so many families want to live here? Well it’s pretty simple. This is a family friendly affordable suburb, with local schools only a few minutes walk or cycle away. Westlake zone homes are always sought after, not just because of Westlake Boy’s and Girl’s High being so close but also Carmel and Rosmini Schools. And 221 Forrest Hill Road is you classic kiwi home. Privately positioned down a right of way, on a large 900m2 flat site this is a perfect family home for those who want their children in these great schools!

Definitely in need of an update, the bricks, tiles, and construction standards of the 1970′s mean you can’t go wrong. There are 3 bedrooms, a huge double garage, and rumpus room on a separate level just wating for a bunch of teenagers or extended family. The rumpus has a kitchenette for convenience. It’s all a little utilitarian, but with your flair and design sense you can transform this home into a modern gem.

Double garage, with views to the city give this home “good bones”, underlying value and oportunity just waiting to be realised. Call me!

Sizeable Family Home | Forrest Hill | By Negotiation

Privately situated on a 900m2 freehold level section, this 3 bedroom plus rumpus brick and cedar home will impress. Well suited to families with older children or those who require space for live in extended family. Westlake School zoned. This home is a bit of a do up and could be a real bargain for someone who wants a big private site with real potential. The rumpus is on its own level, with a second kitchen and offers some interesting possibilities.

Property Files

Tony White — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:43:48 +0000

Ordering a Property File is easy. But, why do you need a Property File?

In most cases a lawyer will recommend that all purchasers obtain a LIM report. The LIM or Land Information Memorandum, is a report on the contents of the property file that the council holds on all properties. Your council is required by the New Zealand Government to hold files on all property and provide you with a report when you request it. A LIM report is a clerical search only.

If you want to know more about the property you’ll need to have to search the Property File. In the old days, it was literally a search and council went and found the file and got it out for you to look at and if there was anything you needed you could get a photocopy. (sometimes the council wouldn’t be able to find it because someone else had it). Now it’s simple. All the information that the North Shore City Council holds is on line, and following their process is easy.

Just click on this link to “Do It Online” and have your credit card ready. The cost for a Property File is $25.00. That’s peanuts for your peace of mind when you are considering the substantial cost of buying a house. A smart real estate salesperson may have ordered the Property File and have it ready to email to you, so ask if they have it!

You will have some choices about how it is sent to you, by CD Rom or by email. My recommendation is that you get it emailed, it is a little cheaper and you can forward it to your builder, surveyor or lawyer if you need to, really easily.