Vandalism, road damage and unsafe cycle lanes are issues Papakura Local Board has been urged to address.
Residents have met with board members on the 2020 Papakura Local Board Plan, largely supporting the key outcomes, but with some calling for more to be done.
Rosehill pastor Beni Blacklock says more community, Māori Warden and police patrols are needed, with his church spending to repair damage and vandalism.
“There are all sorts of youth issues but ultimately this is money that could be used for positive things that actually help the community.”
He praised the board’s grants programme for supporting initiatives. “We would be interested in accessing funding that allows us to help our young people.”
Takanini resident Ann Emery showed pictures of damage caused by heavy traffic cutting corners in the Manuaroa Road area.
“We need the board to be our advocate with Auckland Transport to have our concerns addressed. We don’t want another report or meeting. We want something done before our children are killed going to school.”
Road safety was also important to long-time resident Ros Quinn. “I might have a car, but I support cycleways and use the train. What I don’t support are cycleways on Great South Road that are inadequate and expose people to risk.”
She called on the board to consider wider paths cyclists and pedestrians could share.
Supreme Sikh Society president Daljit Singh updated the board on progress at its Takanini temple, saying links forged during the COVID-19 lockdown reinforced what could be achieved by working together, underlining the importance of the board’s commitment to diversity.
Manurewa-Papakura Councillors Angela Dalton and Daniel Newman also attended, where Addison’s Warwick Osbourne urged them to support council services being returned to residents.
“We used to pay a fee and look after tree-trimming and mowing, but they were taken over by the council. Many residents would support letting us look after ourselves again because it isn’t difficult, and we could do a better and more timely job.”
Other submitters supported the board’s environmental and Māori commitments, urging their retention in a difficult economic environment.
Board chair Bret Catchpole says members heard residents’ concerns directly. “We don’t mind that people agree or disagree, or that they say we need to do more of this but less of that. The worst thing is hearing nothing, so anyone with something to say should speak up.”
Have your say
Consultation on the plan, which shapes the board’s directions for the next three years, is open until 13 August.
Access information on the plan and submit here, or visit Facebook, where you can use the hashtag #lovelocal on a comment to make it official. The library and service centre also have submission forms.
