South Aucklanders are being encouraged to give feedback on the draft Long Term Plan (LTP), or risk “outcomes we may not like”.
Auckland Council’s 10 year Long-term Plan (LTP), one of council’s main planning tools to help shape and improve the region, opened last week for public consultation.
Manurewa-Papakura councillor Angela Dalton said South Aucklanders should really consider three key issues that may greatly affect them – the Port of Auckland, Auckland Airport share proposals and Auckland Future Fund.
“These are complex topics which will be challenging for Aucklanders to get their heads around,” Dalton said.
“The more we can create conversations the better informed people will be.”
Part of the draft LTP asked Aucklanders whether specific land should be transferred from the port to the council for mixed development and public use.
This includes within 2-5 years, Captain Cook Wharf and Marsden Wharf, and within 15 years Bledisloe Terminal.
Dalton said one of the redevelopment suggestions for the wharves was an urban beach or tidal pool – money that could potentially be invested in South Auckland instead.
“I don’t think [a lot of] South Aucklanders are going to go to the city to use it, we actually need investments in the South,” she said.
Dalton said Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown assumes his vision for the port is supported by most Aucklanders.
“He believes he has the mandate to do it, based on a survey. And this is why it’s so important that we have a voice. Nothing will change for us until we really get involved in the consultation process.”
A spokesperson from the Mayor’s office said the draft LTP did not propose any new significant funding for regeneration work on the waterfront.
“Specifically, there is no proposal to fund an ‘urban beach’ in the draft Plan,” she said.
“So, there is no funding being taken out of a pool of money that could otherwise go to regeneration in South Auckland.
She said the Mayor proposed continuing to fund Eke Panuku’s regeneration efforts around Auckland.
“Auckland’s waterfront is for all Aucklanders to enjoy and is used by Aucklanders from all parts of the region.”
The draft LTP also proposed transferring all of council’s remaining shares in Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) into an Auckland Future fund, and enable the fund manager to decide to sell any or all shares.
The Auckland Future Fund could be used to manage future challenges, like global pandemics, extreme weather and environmental challenges.
Dalton said Aucklanders had very important decisions to make.
“If we don’t come out and vote, we may get outcomes we may not like.”
She used the example of the last local government elections where voter turnout was notably lower in southern areas of Auckland.
“The return on feedback forms is so high for Europeans, we get around low numbers for Māori and Pasifika.
“The mayor will take that as a very strong signal that he’s on the right track, but we know that that’s not always supportive of what our communities need.
“Things will stay the same, if they don’t have their say.”
