Committee hits Ōtāhuhu for change of scenery
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10/06/2015. 19:54
노영례
The Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee typically meets at council’s CBD offices but this month (Tuesday 9 June) went ‘on tour’ to Ōtāhuhu. This special decision digest from the meeting features some of the highlights from the meeting and the decisions made.
Committee Chair Councillor Christine Fletcher welcomed board chair Lydia Sosene and members of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board and invited them to join the Governing Body representatives at the committee table.
The agenda is available on Agendas and minutes. Minutes will be added once confirmed.
Items 1-8 are administrative items, excluding public input which is summarised below. There were no extraordinary items and no local board input. Item 10 was not considered at the meeting.
Item 5: Public input – Ōtāhuhu Business Association
The committee received a presentation from Ōtāhuhu Commercial Town Manager Richette Rodger on some of the challenges they face, in relation to council services, in the Ōtāhuhu Town Centre. Ms Rodger talked about rubbish collection, pruning of trees – in particular the large palms that line the main street – garden maintenance, toilets and street furniture. The committee addressed some of Ms Rodger’s concerns during the General Manager’s Report item.
Item 9: Parks, Sports and Recreation – General Manager’s Report
General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation Ian Maxwell highlighted achievements and challenges faced by the department in the last few months. He mentioned the anticipated flowering of the Amorphophallus titanum ‘corpse flower’ at the Auckland Domain Wintergarden this week; the upcoming aerial application of 1080 in the Hunua Ranges area and a summary of the vandalism at Papakura Cemetery. The committee also received a verbal update on the Māori Sport and Recreation Plan.
Cr Fletcher acknowledged the concerns raised by the Ōtāhuhu Business Association and, by way of resolution, the committee agreed that agreed that the General Manager Parks respond to the following issues:
•Funding gap for Sturges Park, Ōtāhuhu
•Liaise with Auckland Transport and the Department of Infrastructure and Environmental Services with respect to resolving the issues identified by the Ōtāhuhu Business Association.
“We have received a strong message from the community and have resolved to get some comprehensive work done on addressing these problems areas.
“The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board is doing a sterling job, advocating for and working with its community – the work done in upgrading Sturges Park is an excellent example of this.
“But it is clear that they require more support and we will see what can be done as soon as possible,” she says.
Item 11: Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 Variation to incorporate Te Muri Regional Park
The committee gave its approval for staff to begin the process of including Te Muri Regional Park in the Regional Parks Management Plan, by way of variation.
Te Muri was purchased by the former Auckland Regional Council in October 2010, after the completion of the last Regional Parks Management Plan (adopted in August 2010).
The variation will go out for public consultation and submissions will be heard by an independent hearings commissioner.
Site visit: Ōtāhuhu Recreation Precinct
Meeting attendees visited the construction site for the new Ōtāhuhu Recreation Precinct, which includes a new aquatic and fitness centre, library, outdoor civic space, playground, splash pad and outdoor basketball court. The complex incorporates the existing recreation centre and adjoins the David Lange Memorial on Mason Avenue. It is scheduled to open on 8 August 2015.
“This will be a tremendous addition to the Ōtāhuhu town centre,” says Cr Fletcher. “I know that the local board, mana whenua and community groups have put a lot of work into developing this project and await its completion with anticipation.
“Since late last year, we have focussed heavily on researching the sustainability of sport and physical activity in our local communities.
“Staff and elected representatives have heard from community and sports groups across the region and a common theme has emerged – they require strong and well thought out support from their council. This could be through facility provision, programming, grants and funding or better administrative functions, like leases and permits, which sit with council.
“We certainly have some work to do and will be reporting back to our communities on how we hope to turn their feedback into positive actions. In the meantime, it is wonderful to see firsthand, at both Sturges Park and the new Ōtāhuhu recreation complex, progress is already being made,” she says
