Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop

OPEN MINUTES

Minutes of a meeting of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop  held in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Office, 1 – 7 The Strand, Takapuna on Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at 9.30am.

Te Hunga kua Tae mai | present

Chairperson	Melissa Powell
Members	Peter Allen
	Gavin Busch
	George Wood, CNZM

Te Hunga Kāore i Tae Mai | ABSENT

Deputy Chairperson

Terence Harpur

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop 27 May 2025

1          Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

Member T Harpur gave their apologies for absence

2          Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

There were no declarations of interest.

5	Local Board Workshop

Item 1 – 9.30am – 11.30am

Annual Planning Workshop 9

Presenter/s:                  Maureen Buchanan Senior Local Board Advisor

Sugenthy Thomson Lead Financial Advisor

Governance role:          Setting direction / priorities / budget

Proposed Outcome/s:   Review programme

The local board was provided a workshop to discuss the draft local board agreement.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Discussion regarding improvements to the path network at Milford Reserve. Staff will investigate what can be done under maintenance, and look at inclusion of a new path from the Milford Bridge to the beachfront/toilet area in future work programmes.

· sought clarity around Auckland Council waste management process and requested a workshop with Waste Solutions team to clarify costs, waste processing, and council policies.

· requested staff to provide further clarification on community event targets ahead of the business meeting.

· requested staff to provide further clarification on asset condition targets and performance measures in public reports ahead of the business meeting.

· requested staff to provide a list of community organizations accumulated from the programme measures in the LBA by the local board. Staff will seek advice on the level of detail that can be included in the local board agreement

Fees and Charges

· Clarification on community event targets

· Requests for more transparency and examples of the community organizations supported by the Local Board, noting that current reporting language can be difficult to understand.

Māori outcomes

· expressed uncertainty about how Māori outcomes are measured and their effectiveness. Staff explained that these outcomes are monitored and reported by council staff, and the local board can suggest specific areas or priorities they want staff to focus on.

Next Steps:

· Report will be presented to the local board for approval at the 10 June 2025 business meeting

60 Min Break

Item 2 – 12.30am – 1.30pm

This workshop is being held with the public excluded (confidential) as the workshop material contains information which is not yet publicly available.

Item 3 – 1.30pm – 2.00pm

Auburn Reserve Service Assessment update

Presenter/s:                  John McKellar Parks and Places Specialist

Governance role:          Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s:   Receive update on progress

The local board was provided with an update on Auburn Street Service Assessment.

· Staff outlined the project’s history and current status, including discussions with the Takapuna Croquet Club, Takapuna Play Centre and Girl Guides association. The project will be revised based on the local board feedback.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Suggested a vehicle bay at the start of the footpath for contractor access due to limited parking on Anzac Street; staff agreed this will be considered.

· Requested advice including cost to plant and maintain fruit trees on the site.

· Raised concern about rodents attracted by fruit trees; staff noted this is a consideration but ultimately a local board decision.

Next Steps:

· The feedback received from the local board at the workshop on the connecting path design will be incorporated into the final version of the concept design and distributed to the capital works team in Parks and Community Facilities for implementation.

· The service assessment will be updated to reflect the feedback received from the local board at this workshop and any further engagement with stakeholders will then be undertaken in preparation for the adoption of this service assessment at a local board business meeting.

Item 4 – 2.00pm – 2.30pm

Aberdeen Rd Crossing update

Presenter/s:                  Raymond Tong (Auckland Transport)

Steve Wong (Auckland Transport)

Dionne Xu (Auckland Transport)

Jatin Sharma (Auckland Transport)

Marilyn Nicholls (Auckland Transport)

Governance role:          Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s:   Provide direction on preferred approach

The local board was provided with an update on Auckland Transport Aberdeen Rd Crossing.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Clarified whether five members of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board supported the project.

· Questioned the rationale for the removal of car parks, staff advised that a school bus currently maneuvers outside the school area and requested the removal of car parks to improve access and safety.

· Confirmed preference for Option 1, with no objections to the removal of 11 car parks.

· Questioned signage, staff advised appropriate signage will be installed. Staff is working with the school.

· Emphasized the importance of completing works before the school term begins in early February 2026. Staff agreed and will aim to align the timeline to minimize disruption.

· Noted appreciation for staff engagement with the school and confirmed overall support for Option 1.

Next Steps:     

· Report will be presented to the local board for approval at the 17 June 2025 business meeting, staff to then proceed to public consultation on the proposal.

The workshop concluded at 2.31 pm