electorate updates

By Louise Johnston

As money has been cut from budgets across Council, it is so important that projects such as the development of the future park at Green Road are well supported by the local community. There are two important plans that are out for public feedback this month. Apologies in advance if this does feel like Groundhog Day but without local support it will be difficult to get these projects off the ground. Draft Local Board Plan Firstly, the draft local board plan. This is a strategic document that sets out the objectives for the Rodney Local Board over the next three years. In a nutshell, if it is not on the plan, it will not get done.

Below are a couple of initiatives from the draft Local Board Plan that will impact our area. It would be great to get your feedback on these. ∞ Advocate for additional stops on our local bus network. ∞ Improve the pedestrian safety by constructing footpaths and pedestrian crossings. ∞ Support the implementation of trails, walkways and bridle paths. ∞ Advocate for planting on our future park at Green Road to be funded from developers offsetting their environmental impacts. ∞ Continue to develop and deliver plans and outcomes for our new park at Green Road. ∞ Push for reliable, fast and affordable broadband connections for all communities. ∞ Continue to support volunteers working in our parks on restoration projects, pest and weed control.

You can find out more and provide feedback using the below link. Feedback closes on 13 August.

Hardcopies are also available at the library and the Orewa Council building. https://akhaveyoursay. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rodneyplan Draft Master Plan for Green Road Following on from the need’s assessment on our future 154 hectare park at Green Road, Council staff have now completed the draft master plan. This draft plan protects the rural character of the future park, allows for planting and provides a trail network for horse riding, walking, running and mountain biking. It would be great to get your feedback. Please contact me if you would like to discuss further or provide feedback online in August on akhaveyoursay.co.nz Transport I am still waiting for details of the AT safety audit at the intersection of Potter Road and Dairy Flat Highway. For the speed limit reductions that came into force last month, can you please let me know if the roads in your area are showing the incorrect signs. Also, apologies, last month I mentioned that Ridge Road was going to 60kmphr however only a section of the road has been reduced to this limit. Please get in contact with any questions on 021 729 739 or email louise.johnston@aucklandcouncil. govt.nz

Chris Penk MP

They say a week is a long time in politics and it’s definitely felt like that recently. At the same time, though, in a counter-intuitive way I could easily add that three years seems like a pretty short time in politics. Certainly my first term as a local MP has raced by, so perhaps it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. Hard work along the way has centred around the lobbying of central and local government decision makers to get something better for Coatesville and surrounding areas in relation to internet connectivity. It’s been a long, slow process but good will has been demonstrated by those involved and I’m cautiously optimistic that light is now visible at the end of the tunnel. Please engage with the process of community funding for the final amount needed to get internet connectivity here. Hopefully you’ve had the chance to do that via the Coatesville Residents and Ratepayers Association (“CRRA”). As the 2020 election approaches it is satisfying to see some of the hard work come to fruition. You will have received a letter from the CRRA advising of the opportunity for many properties in Coatesville to achieve better internet connection. More particularly, most readers of The Coatesville Chronicle will have received a letter detailing what I consider to be an unexpectedly generous offer from the Crown, requiring that the

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