Frustrations & pleasures as a returning Regional Councillor

Please note that views expressed in this column are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect Regional Council policy.

Frustrations & pleasures as a returning Regional Councillor

Having been a Regional Councillor from 2004 to 2010, and then having a spell for 6 years, I am finding it too often frustrating. Yes for 5 of my previous 6 years on Council I chaired our Transport Committee (and the Regional Transport Committee for 4 years). These days I “sit on the back-benches”, but my passion for improving our environment hasn’t diminished.

Last week Staff briefed me on the Kaituna River diversion project – aimed at increasing the fresh water flow to revitalise the Maketu Estuary. When we discussed this in 2008 to 2010, this project was to cost around $4m. Today it looks to be closer to $13m - but I have to say that, having just visited the site, I am very supportive of this project. It has cost too much, and taken too long, to get to this point, but the reality is that it is a great project – that should have great outcomes for the environment. We are finally seeing ACTION, not just words. Well done BOPRC.

Our Regional Council has some big issues to deal with, but we also have to learn to live within our means. Central Government ensured prudence in the public service sector as a result of the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), and it is time for Local Government to wean itself off its “Cost Plus” mentality. Ratepayers can expect me to continue to champion my bi-line “Action not Words”.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me

Port of Tauranga needs to improve its corporate responsibility

Port of Tauranga is a huge asset for the Bay of Plenty, and it is time for them to step up and support the community that has sacrificed so much to ensure the port’s success. Tauranga traffic is creeping back towards gridlock, and a lot of this is as a result of the big trucks that service our port.

The Port seems to think that they can “free-load” off their majority (54.14%) shareholder – Bay of Plenty Regional Council. They seem to think that it is the Regional Council’s (through its CCO Quayside Holdings) responsibility, but the reality is that the rest of the shareholders are getting a free ride. In my view the Port’s social investment is plain miserly, and sooner or later the Port risks alienating Tauranga residents with its minimal corporate social responsibility. Supporting the Half Ironman; a four year commitment to the TECT Rescue Helicopter ($62,000 pa); sponsoring a scholarship for a handful of Maori tertiary students; and a $6,000 donation to Foodbank, just does not cut the mustard.

Come on Mark Cairns – you are paid over $1.2m annually, and this city needs your help to get a change in attitude from both Directors and Senior Management. Tauranga City is New Zealand’s 5th largest city, and yet we lack the amenities of cities half our size. Our corporates need to step up, and the Port needs to show leadership – and not just remain a bludger.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz, visit www.vond.co.nz, or just give me a call on 021-762 440.

Please note that views expressed in this column are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect Regional Council policy.

Public Transport in Tauranga is our Number One priority

In January I laid out my priorities as a regional councillor. My first priority is to improve our public transport system in Tauranga. There is widespread support for this, and already there have been meetings amongst interested parties. I am really concerned that Smartgrowth sees fit to enter the debate. Certainly they have an interest in ensuring that we have appropriate transport corridors, but I fail to see why they need to dig into the detail of our bus routes. This just adds more players to “muddy the water.” I am not opposed to a little “hui”, but the key for our Regional Council staff is to come up with sound action points, based on solid research. We can’t improve the system, both from a route and a fare perspective, unless we properly understand what we already have. This will help to answer the reasons for falling patronage (yes the total numbers moves higher, but that is only because the Ministry of Education has stopped their SchoolHopper service).

Unsuccessful Tauranga City Councillor aspirant & architect Mark Wassung continues with his wonderful “Tauranga Connect” drawings, but these are just that. They lack detail and costings, and in fact are mainly plainly unaffordable. Good on Mark for profiling our problem, but we are now in the 21st Century, and autonomous buses will be the future (and within the next 2 to 3 years). Forget rail & light rail for public transport in the Bay, as these modes are being superseded. Driverless cars, buses and trucks are the way of the future, and our Public Transport review needs to recognise this. It isn’t rocket science – it is now reality. Come on Regional Council – let’s give our city a 21st Century solution to our Public Transport woes.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me