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Leon James JARDEN
Candidate for Hibiscus and Bays Local Board (East Coast Bays Subdivision)
Candidate statement
I’ve been a resident for most of my life and have embedded family and community ties. I’m an experienced Commercial Manager with a strong background in finance, contracts, procurement, sales, and operations. A key aspect of my experience is managing financial responsibility and accountability. I’ve led teams and projects, audit functions, and my background in FMCG provides me with grounding on delivery to the customer. I’m a keen advocate for sustainability and have been involved with several boards and committees: Chairman of the Public Places Recycling Scheme (2017 – 2018) and as a committee member for the Major Energy Uses Group, New Zealand Smart Grid Forum, the Packaging Forum of New Zealand and the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme. I’m a keen boatie and fisherman and care greatly for the aquatic environment at the doorstep of the Hibiscus and Bays. My dog, Wilson, and I walk the local beaches every weekend.
Why I want to be elected
My representation on the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board will be effective by actively engaging with the community, committees, and Council as an advocate, mindful of the interests of the residents. I want to give my support to enhancing the East Coast Bays Subdivision by building upon what we have for the betterment of our residents, visitors, and future families. Recreation, sports, parks, beach access, and green spaces feature as my key focus points.
My key skills and qualities
I’ve led teams and projects, audit functions, have a DipBus in Accounting, and my background is in delivery to the customer. I’ve been involved with several boards and committees: Chairman of the Public Places Recycling Scheme, as a committee member for the Major Energy Users Group, NZ Smart Grid Forum, Packaging Forum of New Zealand, and the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme. My experience is to assess proposals, ask leading questions, and gather an understanding of wider and complex issues.
My top three key issues
Beaches: the recurring issue of stormwater overflows going into wastewater and the contamination of our streams, and the closing of our beaches. Community: the refurbishment proposed for the ECB Community Centre is inadequate. Open pedestrian access across the Browns Bay shopping will be beneficial. Environment: challenging the Regional Council collection services team to introduce mixed recycling collections at every bin collection point and expand collection frequencies at parks and beaches.
My position on key topics
Transport
The expectations I have for the East Coast Bays Subdivision centre around: Fit for purpose roads - Maintaining quality (e.g. potholes). - Maintaining and repairing (e.g. Glenvar Rd development). - Maintaining and expanding (e.g. Vaughans and Okura River roads). Improving public transport: - Reliable and easier to use. - Providing better bus services (using the successful hub systems). - Installation of a ferry terminal and services (in Browns Bay). - Keeping them affordable.
Water
Watercare needs to focus a great deal more of its attention on sewerage and stormwater controls. We close our East Coast Bays to swimming regularly and it is a disgrace. We need to circle around this as a priority. The major plans that can have an immediate effect on this are: - completely separating stormwater pipes from the wastewater pipes that currently create wastewater overflows, - flood resilience and recovery work, and - increasing the capacity of the stormwater network.
Built environment
With the escalating infill housing projects across the ECB’s in recent years a particular side effect has been the shortcomings of the planning requirements for the provision of off-street parking for the dwellings on the developed sites. The quantities of cars parked curbside have become a traffic hazard across many parts of the urban streets. An urgent review of the planning for infill housing projects is needed to ensure that every dwelling has off-street parking for at least two vehicles.
Natural environment
I will be challenging the Regional Council collection services team to introduce mixed recycling collections at every bin collection point at our parks and beaches. Currently, most collection points are only for general waste collections, and the separation of any recyclable materials is not possible. Additionally, I will be challenging the collection services team as the frequency of collections for the bins needs to be revisited, as seen by overflowing bins, windborne litter, and vermin.
Community
The upgrading plans of the ECB’s Community Centre in Browns Bay are still quite inadequate for the community. We should pause on this project and revisit the planning and design options to look at a significant expansion of this facility. The development of boat ramp facilities is woefully undersupported across the ECB’s. Access for watercraft via a pontoon jetty should be installed at, perhaps, Rothsay Bay, with the adjacent Beach reserve as a carpark expansion for trailers.
Economic and cultural development
I see benefit in the expansion and development of: - Open pedestrian access across the Browns Bay shopping precinct to open up the beach to the shopping. - To support and expand the very popular weekend market days in Browns Bay and Long Bay, and to onboard Mairangi Bay with a similar beach-related event. - Promote an “Eatery” vision for the East Coast Bays towards being a great place to circle around our choices for where to eat, dine, and share the fantastic “Bays” environment.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I will support the interests of all groups represented to ensure decisions are made to deliver the services, with progressive investments and fit-for-purpose developments, such as those required for the Ports of Auckland. I am committed to meeting Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and the broader obligations to Māori. Storm recovery is a recurring and evident need for the Hibiscus and Bays, given our coastlines. Focus should be on continuing the prevention and restoration of affected positions.
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