Kia ora koutou
This will be my last update to you.
On 29 April 2024, I will be stepping down from the local board chair role and handing over to Kendyl Smith. I know Kendyl will do a fine job navigating the world of local government and representing our area well. I will remain on the board and provide support as its new deputy chairperson.
It has been an honour to serve the local board and the community in the chair role. It has been a busy 18 months and has been marred with significant disruption by the 2023 Anniversary weekend storms. The storms have disrupted our area with many residents still not able to return home, or still living in unrepaired homes.
We have also seen destruction along Te Auaunga Oakley Creek to a level not witnessed in this area before. It was positive to see removal of storm debris commence this month. The rebuild will be long and well considered so we can be assured the investment will stand up to future storm events of a similar scale and for which the frequency is expected to increase with climate change. We have also been challenged by regional issues but local board members and staff are working conscientiously to deliver great outcomes for our community.
I am most proud of our Albert-Eden Local Board Plan 2023, which sets out our priorities over three years, followed by bestowing citizenship on around 3,500 new citizens, opening Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre and Coyle Park basketball court after nearly a decade of planning in both cases.
During the past 18 months we have made progress and achieved good outcomes by retaining most services despite a $200,000 budget cut last year, completed the Windmill Park Concept Plan in partnership with mana whenua and granted several community leases in our spaces (including to Greypower, Auckland Netball, Auckland Tennis, Fellowship of Artists, Mt Eden Bowling Club, Scouts, Mt Albert-Ponsonby Football, Mt Albert Rugby League, Umma Trust, Central Bowling Club and playcentre).
In this time we have also approved a robust community grants programme, refurbished both Windmill Park Pavilion and Ferndale House and embedded the Climate Activator role to work with locals to make lower carbon lifestyle choices in a climate crisis.
The biggest challenge for the rest of the term will be resolving the Pt Chevalier Library since it was closed in October 2022 based on health and safety grounds. It is heartening though that the local board fully endorsed finding an interim and a long-term solution which is currently being worked on.
Added to that will be the challenges that intensification will bring to the new communities in the Wairaka (aka Carrington/Unitec) area and the Epsom campus and how we can ensure that we respond by anticipating the needs of the future communities.
I thank you for supporting the work of the board and helping make our community the best it can be whether through volunteering, attending events, running clubs, being involved in ecological programmes or providing feedback on council plans.
Recently, the board visited Waiōrea Recycling and Education Centre at 990 Great North Rd, Western Springs. They have been running the centre for seven months now and have really made an impact in recycling and community education for Auckland’s Central Isthmus.
Please join us at our next business meeting held on Wednesday 24 April, 10am at 114 Dominion Road, Mt Eden. This is where we make formal decisions and are open to the public. On Thursday 25 April, we will be at both Anzac Day commemorations in Mt Albert and Mt Eden. More details here.
Finally, I have enjoyed the last 18 months as chair and I hope to still see you around in my new role.
Mā te wā and ngā mihi nui
Margi Watson
Albert-Eden Local Board Chair
