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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.
Eric Boon Leong CHUAH
Candidate for Mayor
Candidate statement
Eric Chuah former party strategist and electorate candidate for United NZ Hon. Peter Dunne who won the seat of Ohariu-Belmont in Wellington, and former candidate for a centrist party for Auckland seat of Maungakiekie (2023 elections) will be running for the Auckland Mayoralty, Ward (North Shore), and Kaipatiki Local Board. Dr. Eric Chuah as Independent candidate, combines academic teaching/research in psychology, sociology and business, policy development for Immigration policy(legislated in German Parliament 2020). with problem-solving consulting experience. He will provide pragmatic Action Plans to create and implement strategic vision for better delivery of local council services, minimize increase in rates, reduce unnecessary council spending and ensure safer policing and noise control for local residents and businesses. As a Lion Clubs/RSA member, he states, 'Serving locally requires a balanced nonpartisan approach eschewing left/right politics focused on cost savings, fair and positive outcomes for all Aucklanders.'
Why I want to be elected
Dr. Eric Chuah as Independent candidate, combines academic teaching/research in psychology, sociology and business, policy development for Immigration policy(legislated in German Parliament 2020). with problem-solving consulting experience. He will provide pragmatic Action Plans to create and implement strategic vision for better delivery of local council services, minimize increase in rates, reduce unnecessary council spending and ensure safer policing and noise control for local residents.
My key skills and qualities
Academic teaching/research in psychology, sociology and business, geostrategic feedback 2010(invite by House Speaker policy development for Immigration policy (legislated in German Parliament 2020), plus problem-solving consulting experience. EU Project coordinating, owned/ran cafe (2 years) in Hamilton, insurance broker, (4 years), Assistant Manager-Telesales (30 staff), AsiaPacific Manager NZ Fire Denyers Ltd (Housing NZ Award Winne 2010 for equipping 10000 homes auto alarm systems.
My top three key issues
1. Lowering rates if possible after mitigating rate rises via careful strategic action plans (AP) to review existing expenditure, borrowings, asset management including Auckland Futures Fund and the 1.34 billion currently uninvested. Why? 2. Evaluate current and past projects to determine cost overruns, if so why? Reduce unnecessary spending. 3. Liaising with various stakeholders both public and private on cost reduction measures while ensuring efficient delivery of essential council services.
My position on key topics
Transport
1. Council has announced returning control of AT back to itself. My priority would be to look at the service delivery aspect to enhance the efficiency of bus and rail services. What steps have been taken by the management of AT previously, currently and any Action Plans in placed to fulfil the objectives of AT. 2. Will audit the $778 million spent on TTM/road cones from 2020-2023, 2023-2025 (estimated spent $400 million). Temporary road works must have completion timelines. Lower cycleway spend.
Water
Wastewater rates have gone up 200% since 2010. An average 3-bedroom home priced at 1.4 million as approximate has a $4000 rate charge and $1000 wastewater charge. (Northern Times/Stuff) That is exorbitant. i will implement integrated storm water planning adopting Swiss, Singapore city planning (30 years ahead) to ensure property development/subdivisions are integrated charting stormwater channels, along pathways, riverways, rivermouths to ensure preemptive mitigation of flood prone cachements.
Built environment
There's a saying, 'You don't throw the 'Baby' out with the dirty bathwater'. RMA was legislated then contextually to synchronize with the Auckland Unitary plan. It has merits where unbridled, dodgy property developments eschewing building codes for safety where building foundations/structures are concerned. With Auckland's population growth there is now allowance for higher density (3 Storeys up without consent on 650 sq m)still LT planning systems need integration via stormwater/heritage aspect
Natural environment
Natural water catchments such as lakes, water reserves, forests are still needed in New Zealand to prevent soil erosion due to sudden deluge of rains. Unbridled development without proper integrated planning of drains, channels to funnel into rivers create flashfloods resulting to tragic consequences such as the 2023 Auckland floods that decimated many homes in West Auckland and Wairau area of Sunnynook, Forrest Hill. Biodiversity can be affected by flashfloods hence integrated 30 year plans.
Community
By liaising with various community groups and their respective associations to create Action Plans (APs) for hosting community meet ups on forging unity amongst Auckland residents. Liaising with local Auckland Community patrols, the Police to patrol and ensure safety and security for local Aucklanders. Developing strategies for better policing. Maintaining and improving public facilities such as parks, toilet hygiene while reducing unnecessary costs like the 1 million toilet & Chritmas tree.
Economic and cultural development
Encourage local business fairs in Auckland to encourage investments. Supporting local businesses which uses local products such as wool, NZ Wines, cheese (dairy) via promotions, food fairs, export fairs. Holding cultural fairs of our multicultural and cosmopolitan Auckland society to encourage more investments and tourists' overseas such as interlinking with the Australian tourist promotion, overseas holiday work visas, business/trade zones with incentives to invest with lower taxes/$ investment
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Where Maori are concerned the Treaty of Waitangi in 1835 is the founding document of our nation, Hence Maori outcomes for economic prosperity, health involves Māori businesses in Auckland working with other Auckland businesses to promote their products/services. That goes for all cultures, all equal under one rule of law. Positive communications with Port of Auckland Uni in 3 years non-strike. Auckland Future fund needs to be invested if not return it to ratepayers to lower rates.
Candidate's supporting links
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