The Porirua Wellington Web Blog - March to July 2005
This blog is about political and community issues in Porirua City and the Wellington Region. It is the view of one person, and you are not hearing the other side! This page covers March to July 2005. For current material please visit The Porirua Wellington Web Blog.
Porirua City Councillor Robert Shaw
WHO IS RESPONSILE - WHO CAN HELP YOU?
Citizens telephone me about all sorts of things. I enjoy the councillors' role and I am always willing to help. But, there is an issue as to the most efficient way to proceed.
Say you have a complaint about a council service (blocked drain, revolting public toilet, whatever), who do you complain to?
The chain of command is:
Notice the ordinary councillor does not appear except as a participant in
full council meetings.
The key person is the Chairperson of the Committee, because they stand between
the elected people and the officers, and they have special powers and responsibilities.
Hence, Councils key people are:
You would not know these are our key people by reading the current Annual Plan. They are hidden away, 7 pages from the end of the book. More on the role of chairpersons. The normal councillors' role averages to about a day a week (half for meetings and half for reading), and the chairpersons' role is about two days a week assuming you have a good knowledge of the portfolio.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 30, 2005
CONSULTANTS AND LAWYERS
I have asked the chief executive to provide me with the lists regarding consultants and lawyers. What lists are these you say? They are the lists that show who the consultants are, what they are employed for, and what they cost the ratepayers. Similarly, with lawyers, where the breakdown is usually into functional areas of the council.
I do a check on these things every few years for several reasons. One reason is that it is good to get a different perspective on the council. The usual problem with consultants is not the quality of their work, although that can be a problem, but that they are working on things that we do not need, or their projects are overkill. Managers gain security from consultants. When at the council table managers are asked for advice they can say "consultant xxx said ...". Successful managers always surround themselves with consultants.
The need for the information on lawyers is less these days because councillors
receive regular lists of current Court actions. At the moment Council is involved
in three High Court appeals (including Whitby Coastal Estates), and one Environment
Court action (Silverwood). When the Council wins in Court there are press releases
and special announcements at the Council table.When the Council loses there
is much silence. This proves the officers are human.
July 30, 2005
FLYING JENNY
Traveling Jenny Brash is off again, this time to San Francisco to launch
the Eternal Threads Exhibition. We can only wish she would pull together a
few threads in Porirua. Anyway, fear not for it is the taxpayer and not the
ratepayer who pays for this trip .Congratulations to Darcy Nicholas and his
dedicated staff on Pataka's Eternal Threads Exhibition and its internationalisation.
July 30, 2005
MANAGEMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
When would "stretch objectives" not be stretching objectives?
When:
You understand these are a few random thoughts tossed in for good measure .Council has yet to consider the matter, let alone involve the ratepayers who must pay. When people do not really understand and commit to concepts, they cannot implement them.
Meanwhile, ratepayers have just paid for Jenny Brash to attend a conference on the management of chief executives, but I fear it is dominated by the same consultants who precipitated the current problems throughout New Zealand. "Why is logic never even tried" said the Professor but he was speaking about women not mayors and consultants.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 30, 2005
RACISM FROM TIMARU
Someone in Kensington, Timaru, has written and signed, an illogical and racist letter to me because Council is thinking of naming a street after young Campbell. One of the things I am most proud of about our City is our inter-racial harmony and understanding. Normally, I reply to correspondence, but in this case I will not.
WHAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DOES
Council is going to consider "stretch objectives" for the chief executive. Blog readers will know I want more from the chief (whom I personally like and respect very much) and I have suggested some challenges (Transmission Gully, lower rates). In the meantime, what does he do now? I record the "Key result areas" by abbreviated headings and you will be able to see they are the normal things that the council as a whole delivers. Also, they are about process (what he is involved in), not substantive results. If we do have "stretch objectives", we should ditch this lot because they are already covered in the Annual Report (what do we pay the consultant for, I wonder):
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 27, 2005
STRATEGY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Last night's meeting went well. It finished in less than two hours and attended to everything that needed attention - well done chairperson Douglas. There were two important matters. (1) the Citizen's Commission on Local Government funding report told us Porirua's rates were excessive and we should be more active in seeking reforms by central government to lessen dependence on property taxes, and (2) a briefing for councillors, and the public, regarding the possible purchase by Council of Colonial Knob and an extension of the Elsdon industrial zone. On the personal side, a TV team recorded the meeting for Douglas's "This is Your Life". You heard it first on the Porirua Wellington Web Blog.
July 27, 2005
THE GRANADA SHORTCUT & TRANSMISSION GULLY
Blog readers will know I have written about the relationship between these projects before - however some mayors' seem totally confused so I will say it again.
We read in the Dominion-Post that the Granada Shortcut will be funded from the Wellington money. Is that true? Transmission Gully is to be considered in August 2005 in a separate exercise known as the "Western Corridor" project. Evidently, we cannot afford Transmission Gully, but we can fund the Granada shortcut.
They two projects address totally different problems. The Granada shortcut reduces the peak time load between Melling and Ngauranga as everyone goes to work. It is only significant in the mornings. It reduces the load by about 25% for the Melling to Ngauranga part of SH2. It also advances Wellington's northern growth strategy - see an earlier blog.
Transmission Gully, addresses problems in Porirua and Kapiti. It is about the region's strategic economic advantage and security for Wellington on State Highway 1. How anyone can decide to fund the Granada shortcut ahead of decisions on Transmission Gully baffles me.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 27, 2005
HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN PORIRUA
The steps are:
We have developed in Porirua the tradition of using public land for private commercial projects. The council is to blame because it is confused about its role. When public land is alienated you might hope that something comes back to the public, but in fact the council does not have the acumen and fortitude required to negotiate commercial leases - socialism is more its forte.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 27, 2005
PLIMMERTON GOLF
To members of the Recreation, Cultural & Community Services Committee .
Plimmerton Domain Golf Driving Range Proposal
The PRA had a meeting with the Leisure Management Group (LMG) people last night on this proposal. There was an amicable discussion on the future effects on the Domain.
The PRA attitude so far is:
--- there can be benefits – enhanced golfing experiences for Porirua – increased revenue and decreased maintenance.
--- but there are other organisations using the Domain now and the future.
--- the other community outcomes of the LTCCP 2004-2014 should also be noted – viz: Natural & Physical Environment and Transport Outcomes.
--- as planned the golf range would take up a majority exclusive use of the Domain making doubtful the potential use as a commuter Park n' Ride facility.
--- as a number of our people said at the PRA meeting ---
“ there are complex issues with competing interests”
“ it seems a pre-emptive strike when the PRA has already made roading and vehicle proposals for the Domain under the Village Strategy”.
“ there is a huge lump of land being required for this proposal”.
--- may we suggest a recommendation something like this:
That the lease application by the Leisure Management Group be put on hold until the specific Management Plan for the Plimmerton Domain be completed.
Thank you for considering this. This is what we could have been saying on Wednesday evening.
On behalf of the PRA -- Pip Piper and Helen Chipper
July 27, 2005
AND THERE IS ALSO
Dear Northern Ward Councillors
At last night's meeting of the Plimmerton Residents' Assn we received an interesting briefing from Nick Lee on his proposed golf driving range and we wished to tell you of our initial reaction prior to the proposal's next being raised at Council. It was too early of course for the PRA to form any definitive view on the proposal but, if the Council agrees on Wednesday evening to give it further consideration, then we would welcome full local consultation.
While we appreciate the claimed benefits for the driving range, we are not sure how it would fit in with all the other Domain interests. It's not just a matter of protecting the interests of current Domain users such as the Mana Arts Centre, Boys Brigade and archery. We're also concerned about the proposed commuter car-parks; the proposed road access from the roundabout into Plimmerton Village, and the interests of Plimmerton School (subject to their getting long-needed access to the Domain). Because of all these interests, which may or may not be in conflict, we recommend that the Council consider the golf driving proposal in the context of a full, integrated development plan for the Plimmerton Domain. We look forward to your feedback please after Wednesday's meeting.
Yours sincerely
Tim Sheppard
For Plimmerton Residents Association
July 26, 2005
PLIMMERTON COMPLAINS
Twice this week I have been telephoned about minor problems in Plimmerton: the rubbish is not being collected in South Beach and the toilets are not being cleaned.The chief executive is on the job (well he will be when he gets back from a conference in Christchurch).
REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY - ILLOGICAL, CONTRADICTORY, EXPENSIVE, AND BAD FOR PORIRUA CITY
On it goes. With luck it will die a natural death. I refer to the Regional Growth Strategy. The real plan is to have ratepayers' subsidise real estate agents and developers. That is step one. Step two is to advantage some businesses at the expense of others. Step three is to bring more people into Wellington to undermine the wonderful lifestyle we all currently enjoy. Step five is to discover the infrastructure we all paid for does not support the increased population. And, in case you say it is sensible to manage land use, you are right - and that is what the Regional Landscape Strategy is for and only Greater Wellington can put such a strategy in place. So why are we all paying this other mob?
DIVE INN TO TAKE THE FINAL DIVE
Council's decision to demolish the Dive Inn at Titahi Bay completes an undertaking
given to the community when the concrete monstrosity was first established.
The land will be restored to its original form. There is scope for some creative
landscape work. Why not hold a competition to see who can produce the best
plan for the area?
July 26, 2005
WI NEERA DRIVE FORESHORE DEVELOPMENT
I support the Ngati Toa claim to financial gain from, and practical responsibility
for, the Wi Neera Drive Foreshore Recreation Reserve. It is true that the land
appeared as the result of an earthquake and that the water once came much
closer to Takapuwahia Marae. However, the Maori interest in the area is well
established and it seems likely that the Ngati Toa will do a good job developing
the area. That development needs to be unique - we do not need to copy the
developments in hundreds of other places within New Zealand and overseas (look
at the Aotea Block if you want to see "bland and common" in action).
Those who are surprised at my view on this matter may find it more explicable
if I say that I regard iwi authorities as a part of the local government structure
in New Zealand. Iwi were the first local authorities in New Zealand.
July 25, 2005
AND THEN THIS ARRIVES
Mr Shaw,
I am wondering about this area. All this area was reclaimed with fill from the
Onepoto Quarry, in the 60's. The Causeway and the Mega Centre and Whiterea,
were built on this fill. The earthquake you speak of , I do not recall. As
kids we spent hours sitting and watching the machines create new land and a
road without corners, to our little place in the Bay.
Yours respectfully, Benjamin. R. Tredrea.
HOLIDAYS IN JAPAN STILL THE MAJOR PERK FOR COUNCILLORS
I have asked the chief executive to update the spreadsheet he produced for me some years ago that records the number of ratepayer funded holidays councillors and officers have taken in Japan. It might be a different matter if we had an efficient council and the rates line was under control. I read in the latest report to councillors that Mayor Brash raised issues of concern with the Japanese when she was them last month - but somehow she forgot whales, comfort women, Changi, Bataan, Nanking, and atrocities in China and the Pacific Islands. She did remember to issue and accept more invitations for holidays. Some people have funny values.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 25, 2005
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S SALARY AND MANAGEMENT
The chief has just had a pay rise. His salary is now $246,737 pa. There is an important principle in this being known: the ratepayers' pay him and in our system he is the councillors only employee (by law). It would be useful to have a list of the salaries of other ceos, and I would appreciate a copy of any list that is available.
In the meantime, I comment, that I am totally opposed to the way our Council manages the chief executive. It is expensive, focused on the trivial, pointless, time consuming, and most important of all, it wastes an opportunity. In my view the chief executive should be personally responsible for about three or four major objectives. These should be the focus of the councillors' management of the chief. The present "running of the council" objectives and "being honest" objectives should be taken as given, not measured and rewarded. The chief's personal objectives for the moment might include (a) bringing about the decisions we want on Transmission Gully, and (b) getting the rates down by 10%. And, if you retort that these are things outside his direct control, you would be right - but the whole point of having highly paid executives is to have them achieve things that are outside their direct control. The management of senior executives is very different from the management of ordinary staff members.
The mayor and the committee chairs manage the chief executive, so I stay right out of it. Their most recent move has been to have the Council delegate to themselves more powers including the power to set the chief's salary. This is a serious mistake for the reasons I set out in an earlier blog. Councllor John Green, rightly, became very concerned about this.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
Postscript
For comparison: The chief executive of the Hamilton City Council receives $267,960
pa; Manukau City Council (NZ's third largest council) $286,345 pa.
COASTAL HIGHWAY GROUP'S STATEMENT - TRANSMISSION GULLY
Below is a statement by the group that does not support Transmission Gully.
"Motorway Misunderstandings
Several objections have been raised to the commonsense proposal to upgrade the coastal highway out of Wellington .
The environmental problem. There is justifiable concern that a widening of the coast road might detract from the pleasing seascape. However if the additional lanes are well designed they will make it possible for motorists to take in the view and to gain access to the rocky foreshore without endangering themselves and others.
Delays in the consent processes There are new provisions for fast-tracking projects of importance. A concerted approach from the Wellington Region would result in speedy approval for the Coastal upgrade.
Higher risks with the coast road. The higher risk is a figment of a pseudo scientific risk assessment exercise carried out as part of the Western Corridor study. Most of the risk factors and weightings were highly subjective and the results of the study cannot be taken seriously.
Congestion at Mana . The improvements currently being made will ease the hold-ups north of the Paremata bridge. In the longer term further work will be needed. Simpler and cheaper solutions than a massive overbridge need to be explored. The possibility of purchasing all the properties on one side of the existing road has been suggested and could provide room for enhancement at a reasonable cost
Moves are afoot to build an overpass at Paekakariki. All that will then be needed to provide a safe and reliable road from Wellington to Kapiti is a bypass at Pukerua Bay and two more lanes along the coast. The total cost of those three projects should not exceed $250 million. Once there is one satisfactory road attention can be turned to further upgrades or to an alternative route out of Wellington .
There have already been nearly fifty reports and there is no need for more studies. It is wrong to suggest that the Governments is dictating to the Region by threatening to withdraw the offer of funding if Wellington does not speak with a unified voice. It is common sense and safety issues which are dictating what should happen.
It is time to stop making mountains out of the molehills standing in the way and for everyone interested in better access to Wellington to get behind the Regional Chairman and support the coastal upgrade.
For the Coastal Highway Group
Dick Jessup
Contact: 58 Paetawa Rd , R D 1 Waikanae Tel 04 293 5984 Email: jessup
@paradise.net.nz
20/7/05"
GO JENNY
Mayor Jenny Brash is doing well on the Transmission Gully issue. Nothing is more vital for Porirua City at the moment, and indeed for the Wellington Region. The Porirua Council is showing important leadership and insight, and we most earnestly hope we prevail. The Region cannot take another disastrous and un-strategic decision like the one to develop Newtown's hospital.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 16, 2005
PAREMATA RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION TO THE CEO GREATER WELLINGTON - TRANSMISSION GULLY
"Thank you for confirming that Ian Buchanan's speech at the transport announcement on 5 July did not state an official regional council position. Nevertheless, we note that it was issued on Council letterhead, is published without qualification on the Council website, and continues to be interpreted as the Council's position in media reports ...
It was not only his speech that concerned us, however, but also the accompanying press release purporting to be from the Council which provided some highly-biased and misleading “Questions and Answers” under the guise of factual information. Can you please advise us (a) who prepared that information and (b) who authorised its release? We would be particularly concerned if any officers working on the Review were involve d ....
The major reason for our questions and our concern is that we believe the current Western Corridor Review has now been seriously (and perhaps irreversibly) compromised by the actions of the Council Chairperson and the Government".
Signed by Russell Morrison on behalf of the Paremata Resident's Association
on July 14, 2005
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? - COUNCIL NON-PERFORMANCE
A blog reader asks me who is responsible for the non-performance of the Council? The short answer usually is a committee chairperson. We appoint and pay the chairpersons to do a demanding job. In relation to their portfolio, each chairperson must:
The chairpersons must give leadership in their areas. If this does not happen, nothing can save us. In the Porirua Council, with our tradition of chairpersons, the officers move in and try to fill the gaps when the chairpersons do not perform. It never works. Inevitably, the officers and the councillors end up in conflict, and the community is confused.
The mayor's role is:
For the role of the ordinary councillor, see my paper on how to be a councillor.
Regards
r
July 13, 2005
Editor
Dominion Post
WHO SPEAKS FOR THE REGION? - TRANSMISSION GULLY
Had your editorial writer kept up with my web blog he would not have made the
mistake that appears in the editorial of July 11, 2005. NZ law establishes
councils and the Regional Land Transport Committee. These bodies can speak
for us. The RLTC is deliberately constituted to give us one regional voice
on transport – it has representatives of councils and interest groups.
Mayors together make a stable not a council. The opinions they hold have no
standing. Even when they get together and speak as one, they still lack legitimacy.
So, only councils and the Regional Land Transport Committee can speak definitively
about Transmission Gully.
Over $5 million dollars has been spent in our region on transport research and planning. Every proper study has concluded that Transmission Gully is the strategic answer to the goals we set for the region. This is said in the current plan – and it is likely the 4th plan will draw the same conclusion. The first draft of that plan as it relates to Transmission Gully will be released in August 2005. If we now opt for something else, because of an alleged "rush" we will solve the wrong problem and waste the taxpayers’ money.
There will be a funding gap between the ideal and money provided by Government. The RLTC will have to decide, having consulted councils and the public, if it supports petrol taxes and/or a toll. The last time the public was asked such questions in a proper survey the result was a booming “yes”.
Robert
Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
INSINCERITY OR INCOMPETENCE - BUILDING AROUND THE PAUATAHANUI INLET
More houses are to be built around the Pauatahanui Inlet. This mocks everyone who has worked to protect the Inlet both for aesthetic and environmental reasons. I do not know if it is insincerity or incompetence that produces this outcome, but I do know that the outcome contradicts all the fine words that are in council documents and the idea that the Council cares about our environment. Years ago councillors said the District Plan needed to be altered with urgency - what more evidence do they need?
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
TRANSMISSION GULLY DECISION
New Zealand law establishes councils and the Regional Land Transport Committee. These are the decision-making bodies that can speak for the Wellington region. Mayors together make a stable not a council. The opinions they hold have no status at all. Even when they get together and speak as one, they are still but a group of individuals. So only councils and the Regional Land Transport Committee can speak definitively about Transmission Gully. At this moment we have all sorts of people being reported as authoritative - but how can they be?
Over $5 million dollars has been spent in our region on transport research and planning. Every consistent study has concluded that Transmission Gully is the strategic answer to the goals we have set for the region. If we now opt for something else, because of an alleged "rush" we will simply waste the taxpayers' money. When the regional council conducted a "Willingness to Pay" survey the result was that people everywhere were willing to pay a little more to advance Transmission Gully.
I am concerned with the level of political manipulation that is going on at present. Remember, what happened with the hospital decision. The public and the councils were ignored by Capital and Coast Health and the result is they are wasting millions on a hospital that people cannot access. People in Wellington seem unable to recognise the population growth in the north and to fairly address the needs of everyone.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 7, 2005
MANAGEMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
I want to record that I am not responsible for what ratepayers' pay the PCC chief executive, nor for the way he is managed. A council motion has recently delegated the the pay, direction, and management of the chief executive to a small group. This is a very dumb move, for the councillors only have one employee and it is essential that they all feel that they are equally involved in his management. But, Council has created an in-group, and an out-group, and foolishly expects that to work. Already it looks as if the chief works for the favoured few (I am sure he does not, but it can look that way). In the meantime, the chief executive has had another pay increase. Strange to hear the increase justified on the basis of what other people pay their chief executives: it does not seem to occur to our expensive consultant to ask the question "what is our chief executive worth to us, today?". What others pay is irrelevant - let him be paid by those others if anyone thinks otherwise.
Incidentally, whilst
on the subject of chief executives and governance, I have now read
Doug Matheson's "how to" book on governance. It is very long, very conventional,
and I know plenty of people who need to read it. It does not get into the
issues and more creative opportunities. Doug might consider another version
of the book "Governance for Busy Governors". That would be a hit.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
MICHAEL CAMPBELL DRIVE
Should Titahi Bay Road be renamed "Michael Campbell Drive"? The suggestion
comes from Mr H J Dietrich who live in Beach Road. It is an idea worth consideration.
The "drive" word goes well with golf, the road is close to the golf club, and
the whole City is proud of Michael Campbell's achievement. Council would need
to check out the historical significance of the exiting name, if any. And,
the public would need to be consulted. Personally, at this stage in the debate,
I support the suggestion.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
July 4, 2005
AT THE WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL, BREATHING IS ALLOWED PROVIDED YOU
MAKE NO NOISE
Editor
Dominion Post
A news report says Wellington City Council established
rules to govern the email conduct of elected councillors
I respond to your report that there are new rules about the emails of Wellington
City’s lead citizens. Councillors are elected to focus on the needs of
the city and not the character of colleagues. Over the last decade we have
seen a dramatic increase in rules for elected people, in the naive belief that
they follow rules. We must preserve the independence of elected people even
if they are not herbivores. The Courts can deal with injustice, just as they
have in the past. The way to stop councillor extremes is to work them harder:
genuinely engage them in projects. Instead, increasingly we see officer driven
councils with alienated councillors. The imposition of petty rules demonstrates
a failure of leadership.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
June 30, 2005
THE MAORI PARTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The most intelligent, communicative, and innovative politician in New Zealand today is Pita Sharples. He co-leads the Maori Party. The Maori Party is advancing the quality of political debate throughout the country. There is an emerging focus on founding principles and understanding issues. The country's recent rejection of the pug, actuarial stance of Rodney Hide is further evidence of the desire for a more philosophical politics. As indeed, is the nation's interest in the quaint Destiny NZ party - they are trying to talk about new things, and have already usurped Peter Dunne' s United party.
The most successful political programme on television is Willie Jackson's Eye-To-Eye. He draws out proper arguments and has done much to educate viewers .Again, it is Maori leadership that is taking ahead the country as a whole.
One swallow does not a summer make, but sometimes one bird precedes others. The Maori reformation of the last 30 years may mature into leadership for the whole country. Pakeha have much to gain through this development. We aspire to be a smart, wealthy, and inclusive country - but the governance techniques of the past are very limited, and we all need a new way.
The arguments on the national stage are frequently played out in local politics. I favour there being a Maori ward to elect councillors to the Porirua City Council. I also believe the present Maori consultation committee should become a full committee of Council. These things will happen if our City is not amalgamated with Wellington.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
SECRET PLANS FOR GOLF IN PLIMMERTON
A developer wants to build a golf driving range on a public park in Plimmerton. He goes to a Council committee and asks that his plan be heard in publicly excluded business. That is agreed, and then someone tells the press about the plan.
Accusations and counter accusations follow. The Mayor jumps to the conclusion a councillor leaked the information, but that need not be the case. And, Cr Gillon says to the Mayor she really hopes the Dominion Post "was able to tell you who it was".
So what is the real problem here? The real problem was a Committee agreed to exclude the public in the first place. The officers' advice was wrong, and the committee chairperson did not spot the problem.
It is always possible to find legal rules to keep things secret and the developers often produce reasons why they want to be covert. But, Council must work on the basis that it is a public body. If someone comes to the Council table they must know that they come into a public arena and that their fellow citizens have a right to know what is said. Council is not a company.
As it stands the public perception is that something was being arranged behind closed doors and that the Plimmerton Domain could be sacrificed. This was not what happened, but it is how it looks.
Developers should work with council officers until they are ready to make a proposal .Council has a business development officer appointed to do this work and he is brilliant. When there is a proposal to councillors it should be accompanied by independent advice from officers (not the business development officer). If the matter involves public land, it is a very good idea for the developer to work closely with the residents associations - they are like the lower level of council and their conclusions are often influential.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
June 17, 2005
AND THEN, THIS EMAIL ARRIVES FROM THE PLIMMERTON RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
"Today we learn that an in-committee meeting has been held of the Recreation sub-committee to discuss the opening of a Golf driving range on the Plimmerton Domain, an area this community identified as a possible priority path of future roading and access. So much for Council suggestion ‘to leave the PRA aspiration for roading access “on the table for now”.’ (Pg 12 Strategy Response doc.) Yet again finding out about this possibility via the “back” door is a seeming breach of trust. This community certainly has NEVER even mentioned that they would like a driving range. It simply wasn’t on the agenda. But that is not the issue. Alternative access is. Transparency is. Trust is.
People are open to business development as indicated in our strategy. People are not in any way stuck in their thinking. It may even be that the 2 things are compatible even though Mr Simpson told a meeting of the PRA this year that any developments on the Domain would be over his dead body.
But while so much happens behind closed doors there is plenty of scope for mistrust. While we keep hearing about issues after they have happened, positive future interactions will be sorely stretched. All we keep asking for is transparency. "
EVENTS CONCERNING TRANSMISSION GULLY SINCE 1986
October 1987 - uplifting of the Pukerua Bay bypass designation after an appeal by residents;
1989 – completion of a major study under the auspices of the Regional Council which recommended the inland (Transmission Gully) route as being preferable to all the coastal route options, and subsequent uplifting of the Camborne bypass designation;
March 1990 – completion of an audit by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, which recommended (inter alia) that "all further consideration of four-laning of the coastal route be abandoned [and] a firm commitment be made to the public to this effect" ;
1992 - further study for Transit and the Porirua City Council of Paremata Roading Options , which again recommended against four-laning through Mana;
1994 - rejection by Transit of that report and commissioning of yet more Capacity Improvement Studies culminating in October 1995 with the adoption by Transit of a "strategy for interim improvements to SH1 between Paremata and Pukerua Bay" ;
December 1995 - survey conducted by the Contact newspaper throughout the Wellington Region which indicated that 97% of respondents wanted Transit to abandon its plans for interim improvements and invest the money in Transmission Gully;
1997 - approval of designations for the Transmission Gully route, subject to appeals (eventually resolved in 2002);
June 1998 - rejection by independent commissioners of Transit's proposal for clearways through Paremata and Plimmerton, describing it as "too tight a fit within the narrow road corridor" and "so deficient in so many respects that it is inconsistent with the purpose of sustainable management" ;
1999 - preparation of a SH58 Strategy, which (inter alia) confirmed the need for four-laning between Haywards and SH1 if Transmission Gully did not proceed;
1999 - a comprehensive "Willingness to Pay" survey throughout the region, which showed a significant majority supported, and were willing to contribute to, early construction of Transmission Gully;
November 1999 – another review of the situation by Payne Royds and Beca which concluded that a four-lane coastal route would cost more than, would not provide the same functionality as, and would involve more significant risks than Transmission Gully;
December 1999 - confirmation by the Transit Authority of its strategy that Transmission Gully "should proceed as soon as funds are available" ;
July 2001 - approval by the Environment Court of Transit's proposals for a "Reduced Upgrade" through Paremata and Plimmerton (subject to 29 pages of “restrictions, terms and conditions”);
September 2001 - commencement of planting of trees alongside the proposed Transmission Gully route to mitigate run-off during construction;
May 2003 - yet another strategic assessment of SH1 by MWH NZ Ltd, which effectively concluded that there will be congestion problems at Pukerua Bay from 2005 and on the coastal stretch from about 2014, if Transmission Gully is not built; and
December 2003 – release of an analysis by the Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust which concluded that the Porirua Harbour is at real risk if Transmission Gully is not constructed early.
The common theme from all these (and other) studies and surveys is that Transmission Gully is the preferred strategy in terms of cost, environmental impacts and regional benefits.
List compiled by Russell Morrison and the Paremata Residents Association
WHAT WE WANT - IT AIN'T RAW GROWTH
I read in the Porirua News 8 June 2005, page 3 statements by Jaime Reibel, a Council officer. He provides a nice summary of all the thinking we do not want. Talking about the ratepayer's supporting business development he says: "A larger population will create a bigger and more dynamic community, which in turn will require additional businesses to supply it".
He sees the developments on the Aotea Block as having an "amazing impact on the local economy in Porirua". Good grief, does Mr Reibel not understand that what we are trying to do in Porirua City is to advance the quality of life for existing residents, and that the requirements of mental health are for space, recreational opportunities, openness, and a sense of place.
The notion that population growth is good died thirty years ago. Porirua is at this moment losing forever its chance to define an environment that could become the envy of the world. The environment must be defined by clear spaces, openness, preserved and planted ridge lines and strict limits. And, above all, it must maintain a low population density.
Strangely enough, this model that I espouse is not at great variance with Mr Reibel's plan for a science and technology business park on the Aotea Block. However, I support such a park because it encourages a particular industry that is highly geared in terms of income generated per worker. Thus it relates the goals of wealth and population stability.
I would like to know what Mr Reibel means by "dynamic" for up to now Porirua City has managed very well to avoid the big city evils, although traffic congestion is worse than it has ever been. But, crime is low, poverty is moderately confined, and we are a model of good race relations. Sporting and outdoor recreational opportunities are wonderful for all ages.
For the dynamics of culture and the arts we will continue to depend on down-town Wellington (which is very close), but we do have a wonderful local cultural centre in Pataka.
We want to be rich, not swamped.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
I AM ASKED - WHAT ARE THE PORIRUA COUNCIL'S GOALS RIGHT NOW?
I have no idea what the actual goals are: the documents lack focus, strategy, and coherence.
I believe the Council should direct itself at three goals for the next 3 or 4 years:
1. The maintenance of fiscal and economic responsibility, by building sufficient headroom to cope with future shocks and infrastructural requirements.
2. Improving the economic performance of the City in a manner that improves the living standards of all citizens in the City.
3 Finding ways to use the talents of people who want to contribute to the City.
The first two goals imply certain actions:
The third goal comes from an observation: effort and talent is constantly being wasted because the Council is unable to let people do things. Council is bureaucratic in the extreme.
Watch as it appeals to "legal difficulties" when it does not want to do something. All the rules are to restrict innovation and creativity. I watch people try, persevere, give up, and then go elsewhere. This intransigence of Council produces an interesting effect: many small community organisations appear, and sometimes they take on big tasks. Hence, we have community committees working inefficiently on all the things Council says it is doing (examples abound in health, education, community development, and even town planning).
If Council does not do these things, our City will not be viable as a City, and the case for amalgamation with Wellington will become very strong. The Council has reached a point where it needs to justify its existence. It is a heavy overhead on the people of Porirua City.
FLOOD MANAGEMENT - A WHOLE NEW LINE OF BUSINESS FOR COUNCIL
Changed land use and climate change are having their impact in Porirua City. We now have ongoing flood problems at Pauatahanui. These impact on local properties including residences and on State Highway 58 that goes from Paremata to the Hutt Valley. The main areas are around the golf course and back from there to the Inlet.
In my role as a Northern Ward Councillor I have been hearing the concerns of many residents and the Pauatahanui Residents' Association. In response to the voice of residents the Council is working on two fronts. First, some short-term money is being sought to enable improved maintenance of waterways. Second, there is a plan to work with Greater Wellington and Transit New Zealand on a catchment management plan. Such a plan is needed before any real money can be spent on flood control.
It is important the Council faces up to the changed circumstances. We are fortunate in the support already being offered by Greater Wellington and Transit. But, there are some important questions to be considered. The management of catchments is a regional responsibility in Wellington. It is GW that cares for the Hutt River for example. They have the expertise, machinery, and the experience. I believe that they should take on the management of the Pauatahanui - Hutt catchment. I would prefer that the Porirua City Council stays right out of it (pardon the pun). However, as a necessary first step the City Council needs to be active in bringing the parties together and setting the wheels in motion.
It is not possible for the Council to wade into the stream and start clearing obstructions. Nor is it possible for the Council to go onto private land and remove offending trees and obstructions. Permissions and consents need to be obtained and this takes time. The resource consents are unlikely to be obtained unless a comprehensive catchment management plan is available and it can be shown there has been sufficient public consultation.
Finally, I make the point that this is what we all pay rates for. It is core infrastructural work and it should be a funding priority for the council.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
WHY TRANSMISSION GULLY IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO
Transmission Gully:
• Can be built without any disruption to existing routes
• Already has the needed consents in place
• Does not interfere with our stunning coastal landscape
• Passes through uninhabited rural land
• Does not wreck existing suburban communities (Paremata, Mana, Camborne, Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay )
• Does not destroy historic places and parks (Ngati Toa)
• Creates a second highly strategic road into Wellington and the Hutt Valley
• Improves cross regional traffic flows
• Supports business in the Hutt by providing a direct link north (with the Belmont link road)
• Is a huge 17% shorter for traffic into Seaview
• Will cost around the same as the coastal option (when all delays and disruption costs for the coastal option are taken into account)
• Does not breach previous undertakings to the Environment Court.
And, should you be interested in keeping on with the current disaster of upgrading the existing route north:
“Having Parliament to put a cap on rates may be a necessary first step”, Councillor Shaw said.
“In theory councils should be able to discipline their spending and reflect an informed consensus of their communities. However, it is pretty much impossible for Councils to resist the demands for greater services.”
“The recent increase in social spending in Porirua City has been at the expense of infrastructure provision. Now we face substantial challenges particularly in the areas of roads, and environmental protection.”
"As each year rolls by the councillors fail to come to grips with the budget. In Porirua this has meant ongoing rate increases and decreasing flexibility for the Council.”
"I hope the political parties take this issue seriously and provide us with clear alternatives to debate. Whomever we elect to Parliament, they need to take local financial reform government seriously."
For more information : Councillor Robert Shaw 04 233 0252
A VERY BAD DECISION ON RATES: HIDDEN SUBSIDIES
The current draft annual plan, out for consultation, contains one exceptionally bad decision. It is the decision to classify private hospitals and rest homes in the business zone as residential properties. They should continue to be classified as businesses. They are businesses, and they should pay business rates. The plan is to give them a hidden subsidy. This move came out of the submission by Carrus Corporation to build a rest home and perhaps even a small hospital on the Aotea Block. It is very bad policy. If ratepayers are to subsidise businesses they should do so in a transparent way. I voted against the draft plan because of this provision. A related outstanding issues is rest homes in the residential zone. They should pay business rates.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
June 3, 2005
I think for the first time in our City's history, race is being used as a debating point at the Council table. There is no doubt that race and ethnicity are significant dimensions within Porirua City. The demographic statistics and everyday experience prove that. However, in a public forum, where we together seek the best outcome for everyone, care must be taken. Allegations that relate to race are best left out of debates.We should talk about race and ethnicity, but with sensitivity and caution.
One example where race became an issue was debate over the "dog policy". Council was setting areas where dogs could be walked on its land. In his submission a local farmer indicated that he owned some beaches and some sea bed. Council officers advised that this was correct. The farmer sought restrictions on dogs that were on the park land adjacent to his pasture. The submission sparked confusing debate that broached several issues. It is a pity that some councillors sought to move the debate on to personal allegations.
Also, it must be realised that different people express themselves in different ways. Sometimes the actual words said are not exactly what is meant. At the Porirua Council table, where we have a wonderfully diverse group of people, there is a real need for insight and understanding.
Robert Shaw
June 3, 2005
Editor
KapiMana News
BUXTON GARDEN DEBATE (a reply to Councillor Euon Murrell's theory that his colleagues run personal agendas and are irrational when they do not agree with him: KapiMana News 31 May, 2005, page 2)
Your story about why Council refused to sell the Buxton park fails to set out the reasons. There was never a strong case made for the sale. The idea was to help one business expand, but it is not the Council's role to help individual businesses compete with others. What is good for one business need not be good for business as a whole. The second relevant argument was the preservation of the last remnant of a heritage site. We have already destroyed most of our Pakeha past, but this little bit remains. One day the Mungavin Homestead and the garden will be integrated and become a feature of our City. Had there been good arguments for the sale I would have voted for it. But there were not, and a majority of the councilors have consistently held that view.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
WHAT IS WRONG WITH COUNCIL'S 2005/6 DRAFT BUDGET
I voted against the Council's draft budget and now people are asking me why I did that. There were four reasons. First, our rates are too high and I am not satisfied that enough has been done reduce Council spending. Second, the plan is to classify health sector businesses as residences and thus subsidies their rates. I oppose the use of the tax system to subsidies business sectors, and actually doubt if it is legal.
Third, although I support the expensive plan to make the recreation centre a regional facility and thus change its use, there is a realistic option that is not being put in front of the public. That option is to spend only $3.5 million for deferred maintenance and a keep the facility's use as at present. Many ratepayers may prefer this approach and the Council should offer the option.
Fourth, the document is still badly written and presented. The supporting pamphlet is nice, but it would be much better if we used a multiple choice system to gather the opinions of people.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
26 March 2005
Deferred maintenance on the recreation centre will cost ratepayers $250,000. Seeing that this work is necessary the councillors thought it might be nice to spend more money and upgrade the whole facility. The basic level upgrade which will keep the use as at present but increase the seating capacity to 800 persons will cost $3.5 million. There are plenty of reasons why the council should do this and I will not rehearse them here. Beyond that, there is the $8.5 million development that will provide for 1,300 spectators and improve the facilities for sports people. And, now there is a real decision to be made. The consultant, Pippa Player, recommended the $8.5 million upgrade and said the ongoing operating cost to ratepayers would be $433,000 a year (believe that if you will). The consultant also noted that the asset is not a strategic asset for the city. Shall it be $3.5 million or $8.5 million? That is the question that needs to be resolved before the next annual plan. I would prefer that we put both options in front of the public for comments. The task of explaining the options to the public, checking the proposals, being the expert, and offering leadership on this falls to the chairperson of the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Committee, Cr Litea Ah Hoy. I wish her well as she tackles this job for us.
Robert Shaw|
Porirua City Councillor
26 March 2005
PLIMMERTON
The Plimmerton Residents' Association is conducting 24 house meetings to consult on their community plan. I want their plan to be incorporated into the official Long-Term Council Community Plan that your Council must by law produce.
I would like to make a suggestion as a contribution to the discussion about the village centre. It is: (a) make the main entrance to Plimmerton a new road from SH1 direct to the roundabout at the end of Steyne Avenue, (b) close Steyne Avenue about the middle and create a pedestrian precinct (c) develop flow from the railway to the pedestrian precinct (d) develop greater connectivity between Steyne Avenue and the beach. The intention is to create a commercial hub for visitors and residents of unique character and to keep commercial activity away from everywhere else.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor
Final note:
I began the blog because I believe councillors have a responsibility to inform people about issues and their opinions. I hope that debate develops and in that way our region becomes smarter and the Councils make better decisions. The letters copied here are in their original form, and not the way they were published by the newspaper. Most of the letters were sent to the Kapi Mana News, The Porirua News, The Dominion-Post, the Whitby NewsBrief, or the Northerner.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor