Latest news with #publicfeedback
RNZ News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark at odds with council over blacking-out inappropriate language
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark doesn't believe his council should redact comments made by the public. Photo: Supplied / Otago Daily Times Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark believes his council should not redact feedback from the public, even if it is difficult to hear. His comment comes at a time when councils are dealing with an increase of inappropriate language in public submissions. In Invercargill, it is a problem which has led to staff blacking-out some parts of feedback. The council raised the issue in a report last week as it works to introduce an official policy for dealing with community input. Clark told Local Democracy Reporting he noticed inappropriate language on annual plan feedback, but was mindful the forms were given out and taken away for people to submit on. "You can't then redact what you don't like to hear." There were parts of society that had strong views which might be filtered, but ignoring them was perilous, he said. "I personally wouldn't redact it. The rationale is that it's important the public know the sort of feedback we get." Council policy and engagement manager Rhiannon Suter said submissions could be redacted if they contained offensive language, threats, were potentially defamatory, or could lead to abuse of the hearing process. A recommendation would now be made to council to adopt a submissions policy, which would clarify expectations around appropriate language, Suter said. "It is hoped that this will see a reduction in the number of submissions needing redaction." A report prepared for a committee meeting showed the council relied on an "internal approach" for handling feedback instead of an actual policy. In relation to inappropriate language, it gave the example of last year's consultation for Te Unua Museum of Southland where 14 of 286 responses - or almost 5 percent - had to be redacted due to content. A number of other councils were also addressing the issue which was on the rise across the country, the report said. It also discussed social media comments, which didn't meet the criteria for being a formal submission but were summarised by staff for inclusion in documents. That approach would continue under the new framework, but with an allowance for receiving submissions via social media if requested by the author. The council was not aware of any other councils taking that approach. A final decision on whether language should be redacted would remain with the council's manager of governance and legal, Suter said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Clevedon's 'bizarre' wiggle road markings removed amid £1.5m cost
Work to remove wiggly road markings that sparked controversy in a seaside town has been Somerset Council caused outrage in Clevedon when it introduced the changes, which included the removal of sea-facing parking, along the waterfront in 2022. RAC previously described the lines as one of the "most bizarre" road schemes it had originally cost about £1m and a further £425,000 was spent on the reversal, but the council said the move was "in line with significant public feedback" from businesses and residents. Councillor Hannah Young, cabinet member for highways, said: "We have listened to the local community and reinstated sea-facing parking." Work to remove the markings started in February and also included creating new loading bays, a single contraflow cycle path, a mini roundabout, a pedestrian crossings and vehicular access to the promenade for boats and ice cream vans. New planters will be added to the area and the community will be consulted on the plans. Councillor Young added: "We would like to thank everyone for their patience and encourage all residents and visitors to come and support the seafront businesses that have been affected as you enjoy the new configuration."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MARTA launches $230M overhaul of Five Points Station, transforming Atlanta's transit hub
The Brief MARTA is initiating a $230 million renovation of the Five Points Station, starting with relocating bus operations and preparing the site for infrastructure upgrades. The project includes demolishing the existing concrete canopy and constructing a new one, along with community spaces and a centralized bus hub to enhance functionality and rider experience. Despite initial plans to close the station during construction, public feedback led MARTA to keep an entrance open throughout the project, although it won't be completed by the 2026 World Cup. ATLANTA - Major changes are coming to Atlanta's transit hub as MARTA begins a $230 million overhaul of the Five Points Station downtown, with construction set to start Saturday and continue for about four years. The renovation will transform the central station where all MARTA rail lines converge. The first phase involves relocating bus operations and preparing the four-acre site for significant infrastructure upgrades. What they're saying "The first phase will be moving the buses off of Alabama Street," said MARTA spokesperson Greg Giuffrada. "Then we're going to begin securing the site around the four acres of the Five Points MARTA property." A key component of the project includes demolishing the massive concrete canopy over the station. In its place, MARTA plans to add a new canopy, community spaces, and a centralized bus hub designed to improve long-term functionality and rider experience. "This is much more than aesthetic," Giuffrada said. "It really is a functional necessity for us to get a new canopy over this station, to protect it from the elements, so that all of our trains, all of our equipment underneath, are protected and can keep running without water intrusion." Starting Saturday, riders will only be able to access the station and board buses from the Forsyth Street side. Some changes to bus stops will take effect immediately, while others are scheduled for June. Initially, MARTA proposed closing the entire station during construction. However, public outcry from commuters and city leaders led to a revised approach. "We heard a lot of criticism about that, a lot of pushback," Giuffrada said. "We went back and readjusted our plan to make sure that we kept an entrance open the entire time." The other side Greg Johnson, a regular MARTA rider, said he's already preparing for the disruption. "It'll be alright. And that this is the main area. Oh, Five Points, you know, so everybody comes here is going to be a problem," he said. "I come from the airport from South Side, College Park. So I have to make a way around it." Despite efforts to maintain some access during the project, MARTA officials now say the renovation will not be completed in time for the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the city. By the numbers Beginning May 17, 2025, the following bus detours will go into effect. The following routes will stop at Five Points on Forsyth Street 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Auburn Avenue [Schedule] 21 – Memorial Drive [Schedule] 40 – Peachtree Street/Downtown [Schedule] 49 – McDonough Boulevard [Schedule] 55 – Jonesboro Road [Schedule] 107 – Glenwood [Schedule] 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb [Schedule] 813 – Atlanta University Center [Schedule] Three bus routes will be detoured to maintain service to Downtown and no longer stop at Five Points: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard [Schedule] (stops near Five Points on Marietta Street) 42 – Pryor Road [Schedule] 816 – North Highland Avenue [Schedule] The following routes will terminate at Georgia State Station: 21 – Memorial Drive 42 – Pryor Road 49 – McDonough Boulevard 55 – Jonesboro Road 107 – Glenwood 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb The following routes will terminate at King Memorial Station: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard 813 – Atlanta University Center 899 – Old Fourth Ward The following route will terminate at Civic Center Station: 816 – North Highland Avenue Bus routes operated by regional transit partners may have schedule changes related to this project. Please visit partner websites to learn more: CobbLinc, Ride Gwinnett, and Xpress. Street-level access will be maintained on Forsyth Street. Elevators at the street and platform levels will remain open. Rail service and rail transfers are unchanged. This project will not affect rail schedules, but single-tracking may be required for other MARTA projects. Some night closures of the entrance may be necessary in the future. These will be communicated well in advance. Beginning June 6, 2025, the following offices will temporarily relocate: Location details will be provided soon. MARTA Police precinct Ride Store Lost & Found Reduced Fare MARTA HOPE The following station amenities will close June 6, 2025: Restrooms. Proceed to nearby stations for restroom access: GWCC/CNN Center (Westbound): "SMART" restrooms with remote access Peachtree Center (Northbound): Restrooms on north concourse level Georgia State (Eastbound): Restrooms on lower concourse level West End (Southbound): Restrooms on lower concourse level Station Soccer Community garden MARTA Market Information booth Tunnel to federal buildings What's next Officials say the long-term benefits will be worth the temporary inconvenience. SEE ALSO: MARTA Five Points Transformation Project to resume May 17 MARTA resumes $230M Five Points Station overhaul: What this means to riders MARTA to move forward with Five Points project after reaching agreement with city Fewer Atlantans are taking the train, but MARTA says numbers are off State of MARTA 2025: New train car unveiled as transit leaders look towards future The Source FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo spoke with MARTA spokesperson Greg Giuffrada, and riders for this article.
