City Counselling

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has revealed a proposal to build a second harbour bridge between Pt Chevalier and the North Shore as a cheaper alternative crossing option. 

This would involve using the naturally existing lava flow at Meola Reef to support a new bridge across the Waitematā Harbour crossing to Kauri Point on the North Shore. 

In response, critics have questioned the investment, whether the proposal would solve issues of traffic congestion, and have raised concerns regarding environmental implications, disrupting suburban areas, and iwi consultation. 

Additionally, Auckland Council received criticism earlier this week over information revealed through an Official Information Act request by the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance that Council spent over $250k on repairing four sets of stairs on Milford Beach. 

Sofia spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.

Earlier this week, in response to councillor feedback, Mayor Wayne Brown announced a new committee structure for Auckland Council and made changes to the Auckland Transport Board.

This restructuring intends to streamline decision-making and put Council’s focus on delivering the new Long-term Plan. 

Additionally, the decision on a proposal to move rubbish bin collection to a fortnightly service could be decided next month. 

The proposal is part of Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan to reduce waste and carbon emissions.

Producer Sofia asked Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics as well as what the newly announced National Land Transport Programme means for Auckland.

Earlier this month, the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Committee approved Auckland Council's Provisional Local Alcohol Policy. 

If brought into effect by the council, the policy will introduce measures such as applications for new bottle shops to be very likely rejected for the next two years, bottle shops and supermarkets across Auckland will need to stop selling alcohol no later than 9pm, and bars, restaurants and other on-licences permitted by the District Licensing Committee will be able to sell alcohol until no later than 4am in the city centre, and 3am outside of the city centre.

Auckland Council will set a date for the policy to come into force at a future meeting of its governing body.

In other news, earlier this week Council reported that theft and burglary rates are down in central Auckland, dropping by 34% year on year. 

This comes after council endorsed a safety plan for the CBD, much of which is already funded and under way.

Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics, asking him firstly to explain what the current laws are and what the Provisional Local Alcohol Policy would change them to.

Over 34,000 ratepayers in Auckland are behind on paying rates. 

This comes after Auckland Council confirmed an average 6.8 percent rates increase in June. 

Additionally, last week Auckland Council announced it was investing $47 million dollars in parks and community facilities. 

Producer Sofia asked Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.