Water quality improvement, investigating a targeted rate, and a commitment to continue to work closely with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are all features of the Ōrākei Local Board 2023 plan, which has now been formally adopted.
Board chair Scott Milne says the plan reflects what the board has heard from the community.
“One of our priorities is the progression of projects that are important to our community,” says Scott.
“We want to improve our local water quality, particularly in the Newmarket/Middleton stream, Hobson Bay and Ōrākei Basin. Continuing work to enhance Pourewa Valley, and efforts to deliver the new Meadowbank Community Centre also feature in our plan.
“If we want to continue to enhance the liveability of our area for an ever-increasing population, we need to think creatively about how we can access additional funds to do this. This is in response to recent changes to rates distribution across the city, as well as other reduced budgets.
“Targeted rates are a way to ensure that rates that are collected in an area for a specific purpose, stay in the area. As part of our draft local board plan consultation, we asked the community for an indication of whether they might support this approach. The majority of respondents were in support of this.
“Additionally, we will continue to strive to make our parks and open spaces accessible to more people and with better facilities.
“We are also mindful that community safety and security is always a priority, and we are working with business owners, NZ Police and community organisations to address this issue.”
The plan provides the strategic direction for the board’s annual work programmes.
The city’s 21 local boards are required by law to produce a plan every three years, and the plan adopted is the first for the board elected last year.
It sets out the board’s priorities for the remainder of its term:
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Māori outcomes
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Climate action
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Our people
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Our environment
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Our community
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Our places
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Our economy.
Take a look at the plan here.
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