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The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Jeffrey Craig OLUFSON
Candidate for Hibiscus and Bays Local Board (Hibiscus Coast Subdivision)
Hibiscus People First
Candidate statement
Jeff Olufson is standing with the Hibiscus People First team. Committed to protecting what makes the Coast special, ensuring our community stays vibrant, connected, future ready. Longtime local with wife Kristie and two children having attended Orewa College Jeff’s an active community member, volunteer, serving on a local sports Community Trust. After careers in IT sales/management Jeff’s now a local business owner/manager and employer. Past president, current committee/life member of Hibiscus Coast Cricket, Jeff’s spent years supporting local sports, building grassroots connections and focused on delivering outcomes through teamwork and commitment. Jeff’s committed to saving Orewa Beachfront Reserve, Gulf Harbour Golf Course and Ferry and new community and sporting facilities for the Coast’s growing population across all ages, especially indoor/all-weather venues for sports like Football, Rugby, Softball, Basketball, Pickleball, Gymnastics and Squash. Ensuring our roads, water, wastewater matches growth so what’s needed is available when required. Visit http://www.puttingpeoplefirst.nz/hibiscuspeoplefirst for more.
Why I want to be elected
I am committed to putting Hibiscus People First - protecting what makes the Coast special, ensuring our community stays vibrant, connected, future ready. I will stand up for the Coast ensuring we focus on local issues and fixing them first.
My key skills and qualities
Throughout a 30+ year career in corporate sales management I have developed & evaluated many business/investment cases & managed projects to achieve objectives. This equips me well to; ensure our rates are invested wisely, achieve outcomes for the benefit of the community, ensure we receive maximum value for money & that projects get delivered. I am an active community member, volunteer & serve on a local Community Sports Trust helping me build grassroots connections with many local sports.
My top three key issues
Stronger Local Representation to deliver Progress, Protection & Putting People First outcomes for the Coast. Protecting & developing community assets; ensuring what exists is enhanced & what we need is built. Backing Orewa Reserve Community Association & locals to protect the reserve, courts, park & playground. Working with Council & Keep Whangaparaoa's Green Spaces to deliver a long-term solution that saves the course & upholds the covenant. Investing in multisport facilities at Metropark.
My position on key topics
Transport
The Coast's geography presents challenges for "getting around". We see bottlenecks in many places requiring better Transport solutions with more options for getting to and from the Coast as well as simply getting around it. Delivering Penlink is a game changer helping to relieve congestion and free up the local network. Fighting to keep Gulf Harbour Ferry provides another option for getting to/from the Coast. We need better and more buses & routes as well as keeping park & rides free.
Water
Managing water effectively requires appropriate infrastructure for storage, distribution and disposal. We see problems when investment in infrastructure lags behind development - like the need to upgrade the Army Bay treatment plant. We need to ensure that development is limited so infrastructure can cope or be built when its needed and avoid costly rework when demand increases. It makes no sense at all to dig streets up time and time again!
Built environment
Development on the Coast is inevitable as it's such a great place to live, work and relax. Development is desirable as it brings people, businesses, jobs and investment to the Coast. The challenge is managing development to ensure it's supported by the associated infrastructure - like roads, public transport & parking. Increased intensification of housing developments has seen increased pressure on infrastructure - better timing is required to ensure infrastructure matches development.
Natural environment
On the Coast we are blessed with some of/if not the best beaches and parks in Auckland that many come from all over the region to enjoy. Protecting and enhancing these spaces is essential. They are the jewels in the Coast's crown and represent not only tremendous social & community value but a key contributor to the economic wellbeing of the area. I will advocate for the protection & restoration of our beaches, bush & waterways including the Archers block between Whangaparaoa & Weiti Estuary.
Community
My involvement in local sporting clubs has shown me the benefits of people playing sport and engaging in community activities. Not only helping physical and mental wellbeing but also helping to give people a sense of connection and purpose. Upgrading existing community/sports facilities like Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre & building new ones required like at Metropark with all weather and indoor spaces helps provide attractive places for people & youth to play, meet and enjoy our environment.
Economic and cultural development
The Coast is an attractive place to live & work. After many years of commuting to Auckland for work I now work locally in my own business and rarely travel south of Silverdale on the motorway - which I don't miss! Improving transport links to provide faster/more efficient access in & out of the area will help attract more businesses to the area boosting local employment & economic activity.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I believe that well managed local government means ensuring a return on investment & value for money for our rates. Local Board decision making needs to be efficient, accounting for the best interests of all communities on the Coast including Māori and projects need to be delivered on time and within budget. Together with the Hibiscus People First team we will work to ensure open meetings and workshops ensuring maximum transparency and accountability in decision making.
Candidate's supporting links
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