Wednesday, 14 September 2016

Rodney First releases transport policy after ‘mayors’ offer nothing

The six members of the Rodney First ticket are disappointed the mayoral candidates offer nothing substantial around transport improvements for the north and north-west of Auckland.

“Rodney is 46% of the geographical area of the Auckland region yet our aspiring leaders have yet to commit to a single transport project for Rodney despite all the development and population growth. Hence we’ve launched our transport priorities to help focus some minds,” says Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer who is standing in the Kumeu subdivision for the Rodney Local Board on the Rodney First ticket.

Sitting local board member Phelan Pirrie and long-time Helensville advocate Brent Bailey are also standing for Rodney First in the Kumeu subdivision. At the same time legendary marathon champion Allison Roe, local businessman Mike Francis, and Rodney Local Board member Beth Houlbrooke are standing in the Warkworth subdivision under Rodney First.

Phelan Pirrie, who chairs the Rodney Local Board’s Transport, Planning and Infrastructure Committee, says upon election Rodney First will be calling the new mayor and councillors to give much greater to focus to the largely rural ward, particularly on transport matters. He says some mayoral candidates are pushing for rail improvements in the south but nothing for Rodney.

“Transport is the number one issue for Rodney residents. Whether it is worsening traffic jams, or a lack of footpaths or public transport, Rodney’s transport infrastructure is failing to keep up with the growth. We will ensure transport issues are given high priority next term and that means pushing hard to secure increased road sealing and footpath budgets, rail to Huapai, as well as busways and better bus services,” says Mr Pirrie.

Beth Houlbrooke, who chairs the local board’s Parks, Culture & Community Development Committee, says the Rodney Local Board needs to hit the ground running after October’s elections, drawing up its three-year local board plan and ensuring funding is secured for the ward in the council’s 2018 Long Term Plan

“The Rodney Local Board must be well prepared to present a coherent and rational, rather than emotive, argument for increased funding for transport infrastructure. The increased residential growth in Kumeu, Huapai, Riverhead and Warkworth present the best opportunity to frame our funding argument. The Rodney First team has a lot of political, business and community experience to ensure Rodney secures the necessary investment,” says Ms Houlbrooke.

Brent Bailey says Rodney has been overlooked for decades but now with the Special Housing Areas under construction, the Unitary Plan signed off, and the Future Urban Zones determined, it’s crunch time for the area, particularly in the delivery of effective public transport options for Rodney residents to move around the ward and into the city, which presently don’t exist.

“The key objectives of Rodney First’s transport policy include lobbying NZTA for improvements on SH1 in the East and SH16 in the West, improving public transport including park’n’rides and better bus services for Kumeu and Warkworth, increasing the rate of road sealing, and providing safe pedestrian, cycle and equestrian links within and between residential areas,” says Mr Bailey.

Allison Roe’s passion for the development of walkways and cycleways is well known. Since moving to Point Wells, she has wasted no time becoming involved in the local community and chairs the Matakana Coast Trails Trust.

“As well as providing connectivity, I strongly believe that the likes of walkways and cycleways also stimulate the economy as well as provide health and recreational benefits. What’s more we don’t always need ratepayers to fund them. I’ve got a lot of experience around local projects that have partnered with the community and have enjoyed huge and ongoing success,” says Ms Roe.

Rodney First’s Mike Francis owns a coastal farm in Leigh and also helps run a popular Facebook page on local transport and infrastructure issues the region faces.

“Transport matters really motivate me. I want to get on the Rodney Local Board and use all of my business, consulting and community experience to get some action particularly out of Auckland Transport and NZTA. Local transport issues including the dreaded Hill Street in Warkworth have been side-lined for too long. Rodney First is about action. That includes delivering deafening advocacy for the immediate commencement of Hill Street improvements as well as a new roundabout intersection at Coatesville Riverhead Highway and SH16,” says Mr Francis.

Specific transport policies and priorities can be found on Rodney First’s website www.rodneyfirst.org. Other policy now published includes planning for growth; improving the environmental; working with the community; and better local facilities.

More information on Rodney First, its policies and candidates visit www.rodneyfirst.org

Ends

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