Media Release  from Auckland Council

17 December 2010

Waitemata portfolio allocation weighted toward transport issues

Last night’s first business meeting of the newly appointed Waitemata Local Board saw the announcement of  portfolio allocations, giving a clear indication of the board’s intended focus on transport issues.

“Major projects like the CBD rail link, rail to the airport, or a world class cruise passenger terminal  are either located within Waitemata, or originate or terminate within it,” says Chair Shale Chambers.

“The appointment of four board members to oversee the transport portfolio, doubling that allocated to all  other portfolios, emphasises the value we place on transport issues facing our communities.”

“A number of transport issues were discussed at our first meeting.  We have endorsed the conclusions of the CBD Rail Link Business Case and support the Mayor’s target for the earliest possible completion date. We also supported the re-establishment of a Public Bike Rental Scheme in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011,” he says.

The portfolio structure adopted by the board is intended to mirror the legal responsibilities or consultation obligations allocated to local boards. It has been broken into nine major portfolios and the roles are allocated as follows:

Art Services – Tricia Reade & Greg Moyle

Community – Pippa Coom & Tricia Reade

Libraries – Shale Chambers & Pippa Coom

Recreational Services – Shale Chambers & Greg Moyle

Parks – Jesse Chalmers & Rob Thomas

Events – Shale Chambers & Rob Thomas

Environmental Management – Christopher Dempsey & Jesse Chalmers

Transport –    Christopher Dempsey & Rob Thomas (Central/East)

Pippa Coom & Jesse Chalmers (West)

Heritage, Urban Design & Planning – Christopher Dempsey & Tricia Reade

There are also two committees; the Finance committee chaired by Grey Moyle and the Grants committee, chaired  by Pippa Coom.

“Structuring responsibilities by portfolio rather than through a committee structure will provide the board  with greater flexibility to progress issues through effective community engagement,” says Mr Chambers.

The Waitemata Local Board represents the historic communities and important business districts of the inner city located from Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton to the CBD and the Viaduct to Freemans Bay, Ponsonby, St Mary’s Bay, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay and Westmere.

“To ensure the local board can capture the views of all our communities, it is also our intention to rotate local board meetings between Parnell, the local board office in Graham Street in the CBD and Grey Lynn,” he says