Latest news with #Waiuku
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Waiuku's $383k pedestrian crossing proposal paused after criticism from local board
Gary Holmes has pointed to the use of raised rubber crossings used in Australia. Photo: Supplied A $383,000 multi-street safety improvement project in the South Auckland town of Waiuku has been put on hold. The Auckland Transport proposal has been a source of contention among the local community. Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes said he had major concerns about the project and it's impact on local businesses. In particular, he was worried about the costs related to a raised pedestrian crossing which would need to see the town's main street of Queen Street needing to be closed for 30 days for work to be completed. Holmes said the proposal has been paused following a meeting yesterday. "I'm pleased my fellow local board members are supporting my recommendation that we pause this project," he said. "We ask Auckland Transport to come and workshop that with the board so we can fully understand what the project entails, the cost involved and potentially other alternatives." Auckland Transport group manager of infrastructure project delivery Mark Banfield said the cost for the raised crossing element of the project is $65,000 out of a total project estimate of $383,000. "This is only a small part of the proposed project, which encompasses a multi-street safety upgrade scheme that also includes footpath and drainage upgrades". "AT proposed a multi-street safety improvement project which includes works on Queen Street, George Street, Mellsop Avenue and Kent Street in Waiuku." "Our pedestrian surveys showed dozens of unaccompanied children walk through this area on weekdays and when we engaged with the Waiuku community in April 2023 most respondents told us the changes would benefit the community." "There have been some recent concerns raised by the Franklin Local Board and community members about the cost of the project, the time it will take to complete, along with our shared concerns about the disruption that the project will cause during construction." "We are committed to listening and responding to the needs and concerns of our communities and balancing the disruption that comes with road construction projects against the safety and benefits they will deliver." "Our project team will now work through these concerns and possible solutions with the Franklin Local Board in a workshop before we progress any further with this project or start construction. We will also engage with the community again on any potential changes to the proposal," Mark Banfield said. Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes, who has been involved in discussions about the AT proposal, said he disputes the breakdown of costs. "I see that AT is stating that the raised pedestrian crossing part of the project is $65,000 only, well I call them on that." "Any sort of project like that, includes consultancy fees, traffic management etc, so they're putting a spin on that which I is disingenuous," the Franklin Local Board member said. The local politician is advocating for rubber alternative, which he said would cost about $100,000 and one day to install. Holmes pointed to a similar example of a rubber raised pedestrian crossings in Australia and the success of a trial rubber roundabout which has been used in Waiuku for several years. AT said a temporary rubber device would need to be replaced within five years. "Waiuku already boasts one of this company's rubber roundabouts, proving the efficacy of these solutions in our community," Holmes said. "It's time Auckland Transport stopped operating in a vacuum and started listening to common sense and embracing solutions that are better for ratepayers and better for our communities." "Waiuku is ready to lead Auckland on pedestrian crossings, demonstrating a forward thinking approach to road safety that is both efficient and economical, without compromising on the safety of our most vulnerable road users," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Waiuku's $400,000 pedestrian crossing proposal paused after criticism from local board
Gary Holmes has pointed to the use of raised rubber crossings used in Australia. Photo: Supplied A nearly $400,000 proposal for a raised pedestrian crossing in the south Auckland town of Waiuku has been put on hold. The Auckland Transport project has been a source of contention in among community leaders, with the town's main street of Queen Street needing to be closed for 30 days for work to be completed. Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes said following a meeting on Tuesday, the proposal had been paused. "I'm pleased my fellow local board members are supporting my recommendation that we pause this project," he said. "We ask Auckland Transport to come and workshop that with the board so we can fully understand what the project entails, the cost involved and potentially other alternatives." Gary Holmes had led calls for cheaper alternative materials for the raised crossing, advocating for a rubber raised crossing which he said was used in Australia. He estimated a rubber raised crossing could be installed for less than $100,000 and take less than a day to complete. "It's frankly astounding that Auckland Transport continues to push these exorbitant and disruptive raised table crossings when demonstrably better options exist," Holmes said. "The community is fed up with the endless road closures and the eye-watering price tags for what should be simple safety improvements." The Franklin Local Board member also pointed to the success of a trial rubber roundabout which already exists in Waiuku. "Waiuku already boasts one of this company's rubber roundabouts, proving the efficacy of these solutions in our community," Holmes said. "It's time Auckland Transport stopped operating in a vacuum and started listening to common sense, and embracing solutions that are better for ratepayers and better for our communities. "Waiuku is ready to lead Auckland on pedestrian crossings, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to road safety that is both efficient and economical, without compromising on the safety of our most vulnerable road users," he said. The rubber roundabout has been trialled in Waiuku. Photo: Supplied Auckland Transport group manager of infrastructure project delivery Mark Banfield said the project was initially in response to safety concerns raised by the Waiuku community. "AT proposed a multi-street safety improvement project which includes works on Queen Street, George Street, Mellsop Avenue and Kent Street in Waiuku. "Our pedestrian surveys showed dozens of unaccompanied children walk through this area on weekdays and when we engaged with the Waiuku community in April 2023, most respondents told us the changes would benefit the community. "There have been some recent concerns raised by the Franklin Local Board and community members about the cost of the project, the time it will take to complete, along with our shared concerns about the disruption that the project will cause during construction. "We are committed to listening and responding to the needs and concerns of our communities and balancing the disruption that comes with road construction projects against the safety and benefits they will deliver. "Our project team will now work through these concerns and possible solutions with the Franklin Local Board in a workshop before we progress any further with this project or start construction. We will also engage with the community again on any potential changes to the proposal," Banfield said. AT said the construction estimate for the raised crossing was only $65,000 and "is only a small part of the proposed project, which encompasses a multi-street safety upgrade scheme that also includes footpath and drainage upgrades." They said a temporary rubber device would need to be replaced within five years with the overall cost of construction of their initial proposal to be $383,000. Gary Holmes said he disputed the breakdown of costs. "I see that AT is stating that the raised pedestrian crossing part of the project is $65,000 only, well I call them on that. "Any sort of project like that, includes consultancy fees, traffic management ect, so they're putting a spin on that which I think is disingenuous." Holmes said he expected a resolution between the two parties in the coming months. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Planning for Auckland's rapidly growing 'vibrant' south
The Franklin area is one of the New Zealand's primary food production regions. Photo: Chris McKeen/Stuff A strategy to help support one of Auckland's fastest-growing regions with housing and its thriving farming industry has been approved by Auckland Council. The southern rural areas, which includes the Franklin Ward, are expected to see an increase of 89,900 people, 37,500 households, and 16,500 jobs by 2052. Auckland Council recently approved the new Southern Rural Strategy , which supports the region to accommodate its growing population, while enabling industries like farming and food production to thrive. "The southern rural area is expected to account for approximately 15 percent of Auckland's overall population growth over the next 30 years," Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker said. The area was one of New Zealand's primary food production regions, with abundant natural resources and some of the most productive land in New Zealand. "Its strategic location - close to airports, seaport and key export markets - helps to further cultivate these industries." In a statement, Baker said the strategy provides direction for where housing choices, industries and employment opportunities will grow, "in a way that supports the area to thrive economically and ecologically". It includes strengthening the role of Pukekohe and Waiuku as rural service towns, focuses growth in existing urbanised settlements and avoid growth outside settlements, and minimises urban growth where it could have negative impacts on rural production and industries. The strategy also makes sure there is sufficient infrastructure to support new development, support safe access for residential and rural production users with transport and access needs, and celebrates the Māori and Pākehā heritage of towns, villages and other areas. The strategy covers the full Franklin ward. It also includes some rural land from the Howick, Manurewa, and Papakura local board areas. The strategy does not cover the area's quickest growing towns - Drury, Ōpaheke and Pukekohe - which already have community-backed plans to guide their growth. Consultation on the Southern Rural Strategy took place in October to December last year. Deputy chair of Auckland's Policy and Planning Committee, Angela Dalton, said the strategy supports the southern rural area to grow well. "This is a vibrant region, where traditional industries thrive alongside emerging sectors," Dalton said. "The strategy is about balanced growth that minimises the impact on the environment, while improving housing choices and socially connected communities." By making the most of existing infrastructure, and focusing on projects that deliver multiple benefits, the council was helping set up the region for a resilient and sustainable future, she said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- RNZ News
Landlord threw up when inspecting rental ruined by three cats trapped inside
By Tracy Neal, Open Justice reporter of The Auckland tenant had left behind her three cats. Photo: ekarin/123RF Cat faeces piled up and smeared throughout a rental home caused the landlord to vomit when she arrived to inspect the property. The Auckland tenant, who had left behind her three cats, has now been hit with a large cleaning and repair bill. Maria Tina Sheryl Aroha Wilson-Gage has been ordered to pay the landlord $11,383 to cover the cost of cleaning and repairing the Waiuku property, where three cats were left locked inside. Tenancy Tribunal adjudicator Toni Prowse said in a decision in March that the evidence provided by the landlord spoke for itself. She said photographs and video showed the property full of rubbish and food waste, with cat faeces smeared over every surface in the bathroom and one of the bedrooms. "There are piles of cat faeces everywhere. The landlord says that the smell was so overpowering that she vomited when she went into the property. "Every room in the property was affected. The tenant had made no attempt to clean up and left many of her belongings behind," Prowse said. The landlord had to replace the shower cubicle, which was so heavily contaminated by cat faeces it could not be cleaned to a reasonable condition. Wilson-Gage moved into the near new three-bedroom rental home in June 2023. The landlord, whose name was suppressed, was able to do one inspection of the property, but after that had difficulties in getting access as the tenant would not allow inspections, Prowse said. Wilson-Gage gave notice and left in May last year. The landlord completed the exit inspection two days afterwards, having received a notification from the council about three cats locked in the house. The landlord found the cats, abandoned by the tenant. She then had to remove all of the rubbish, mow the lawns, which were at knee height in some places, and carry out extensive cleaning of the property. An invoice from a cleaning company provided to the tribunal showed the cost to clean the property was $3795. The cost to repair a shower cubicle was $3105, painting was another $3000 while the cost to repair a laminate floor was $1351. Wilson-Gage did not attend the hearing earlier this year, despite the tribunal having reached her by phone before a preliminary hearing in December last year. The hearing went ahead without her as Prowse was satisfied the tenant was aware of the hearing and had chosen not to attend. Attempts by NZME to reach Wilson-Gage have so far proved unsuccessful. Prowse said a landlord must prove that damage to a property occurred during the tenancy and was more than fair wear and tear. Where the damage was caused carelessly, and was covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability was limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks rent. Damage was considered intentional when a person intended to cause it and when a person did something, or allowed a situation to continue, knowing that damage was a certainty. "I am satisfied that the tenant intentionally damaged the walls by smearing faeces on the walls and locking her cats in the home (in particular the bathroom and one of the bedrooms) which resulted in cat urine and faeces throughout those rooms," Prowse said. She was also satisfied that as a result of the damage, the landlord had to replace the shower cubicle, plus the laminate flooring and underlay in the bedroom which was also contaminated. "I am also satisfied that the walls throughout the house had to be painted, because even after cleaning they were soiled, and the house still smelt," Prowse said. However, she halved the painting cost to take into account depreciation and betterment. "The landlord should be returned to the position they would have been in had the tenant not breached their obligations, and should not be better or worse off. "In calculating depreciation, I have taken into account the age and condition of the items at the start of the tenancy and their likely useful lifespan," Prowse said. * This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- RNZ News
50-year-old man charged with Waiuku murder
The man was initially arrested for assault, but police have now charged him with murder. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook A 50-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead in Waiuku, south of Auckland, last month. Police found the body of 54-year-old woman Judith Cunniffe in a car on the 11th of April. The man was initially arrested for assault , but police have now charged him with murder. He is set to appear at the Pukekohe District Court on Wednesday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
