Waitematā Local Board has agreed to its work programme for the financial year 2021-22.
Māori, diverse communities, the environment and climate change resilience, high quality urban development, transport and support for local business are prioritised with a variety of projects funded across the local board area.
The projects funded reflect objectives outlined in the board’s Waitematā Local Board Plan 2020-2023, which was adopted following consultation with Waitematā residents.
Find out more about some of the key projects in the board’s work programme:
Māori
Funding will go towards opportunities to identify and respond to Māori aspirations for Waitematā, and working with mana whenua to incorporate Māori design principles into public spaces like parks and streets.
Communities
Free community events, community-led initiatives, grants to community organisations, addressing homelessness and more support for tamariki and rangatahi to get involved in local decision-making are among some of the diverse projects funded to support local communities. Libraries and community centres will continue to be prioritised.
Environment and climate change resilience
A broad range of environment and climate change projects will receive funding as part of the board’s work to ensure that Waitematā is future-focused, green and resilient to climate change.
Work will go into cleaning up streams across the local board area; lake and wetland restoration at Western Springs Lakeside Te Waiōrea; establishing and restoring urban ngahere (forest); consultation on developing Heard Park; programmes to minimise waste and encourage low carbon lifestyles, and a feasibility study to find a local site suitable for urban regenerative farming will continue.
High-quality urban development
Significant funding has been allocated to renewals of public spaces across Waitematā to make sure these spaces are accessible, versatile and sustainable.
Key projects include new pedestrian bridges and pathways at the Cox's Bay to Wharf Road Greenway and a comprehensive refurbishment of the Central City Library.
Transport
In addition to advocacy and recommendations on local road safety initiatives to Auckland Transport, the local board will improve pathways and car parks in parks including at Victoria Park, Newmarket Park, Bayfield Park, Cox’s Bay Reserve and Pt Erin Park, and the renewal of existing paths and walkways at several sites across the local board area including Emily Place in the city centre and Grey Lynn Park.
Local business
Support for local businesses following the impacts of Covid-19 remains critical. The board supports seven business associations across its local board area including Grey Lynn, Heart of the City, Karangahape Road, Newmarket, Parnell, Ponsonby and Uptown business associations.
Grey Lynn Business Association will be supported to build its capacity and move towards a Business Improvement District (BID) programme.
Support will be given to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Young Enterprise Scheme; a practical, year-long programme for Year 12 and 13 students to develop creative ideas into real businesses.
The Small Business Mentoring Service will see Auckland Unlimited provide up to 12 months one-on-one support for small business owners who want to grow or need help to solve specific challenges.
Board looks forward to getting stuck in
Waitematā Local Board Chair Richard Northey says he’s excited to move forward with the board’s 2021-22 work programme so that vision of the Waitematā Local Board Plan 2020-2023 can be realised.
“The board has a comprehensive, detailed and strategic programme of work set out for the coming year that will bring our local board plan to life.
“Our plan was developed in consultation with our diverse communities so we can’t wait to see the results and deliver for Waitematā.”
View the work programme, items 15-19 on the board’s June business meeting agenda.
