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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.
Troy Gregory CHURTON
Candidate for Ōrākei Local Board
C&R - Communities and Residents
Candidate statement
Versatile executive with considerable legal and governance experience. Leadership team at Financial Services Council NZ plus consulting in the retirement village industry. Current board member, certified RMA Commissioner, portfolio lead for planning. Troy holds Council planners firmly to account, advocates fearlessly for community views. Troy led submissions for opting out of MDRS, chaired consultation for dog exercise retention, wants recreation plans for Colin Maiden, Liston and Madill's Farm completed. Current Trustee Auckland Marine Rescue Centre Trust, past Parnell Community Trust chair, Founder of a Northland coast care project. As Hobson Community Board chair, Troy instigated the 'circumnavigable' Orakei Basin walkway. Troy has lived in Remuera for 55 years, married to Janet, three adult children Ella, twin sons George and Louis. A leader who's interest-based, strategic, intent on sustaining Orakei's environmental and lifestyle qualities. Troy champions planned growth, protecting green spaces and character/heritage protection. Vote Troy Churton and team C&R Orakei.
Why I want to be elected
With a few terms of experience and a track record of sticking up for local community interests, if I am re-elected I'll continue to: champion for quality design outcomes and infrastructure-led density ( not capacity yield-led density), retaining special character, getting local recreational amenity plans completed, looking for cost-savings through reduced talk-fests, and holding CCOs ( and internal departments) to account on project contracts
My key skills and qualities
Certified Commissioner for RMA matters, past solicitor, experienced trustee in community trusts, past national liaison and senior advisor to Ministerial level, private consultant still active in government relations and advocacy, founder of a coast care project, executive suite skills in financial services and retirement village industries. Past Chair of Hobson Community Board. A grateful Orakei local and fit, family man.
My top three key issues
I have led advocacy to opt out of MDRS under PC 78 because uniform 3 x 3 permitted activity settings across the entire city will not deliver quality urban outcomes or affordable housing. I will champion for quality design outcomes and infrastructure-led density ( not capacity yield-led density). I champion retaining special character and heritage as passionately as I support manu whenua values being recognised and protected, and fight to preserve recreational green space and biodiversity.
My position on key topics
Transport
In Orakei I instigated the circumnavigable walkway around Orakei Basin in the late 1990s, so ensuring the broader GI to Tamaki shared path is completed offering pedestrians and cyclists options away from roadways is a strategic transporting and recreating priority.
Water
I have advocated to Watercare to provide more 'measurement' on water quality improvements for Hobson Bay and Orakei. Investing in infrastructure is an output reflecting budget allocation ok but the outcomes need to demonstrate water supply, quality and infrastructural elements are actually improving. Until recently the measurement has been inadequate and my Board and I will pursue measurable water planning activity.
Built environment
As outlined previously, I have led advocacy for opting our of MDRS, retention of character and quality zone standards. Ideally the entire capacity-led mandate from central government should be managed through the statutory-required unitary plan review. Current unitary plan capacity easily delivers for 10 years or so. No developer or housing seeker will be prejudiced by a lack of planning capacity in the interim. It is far more prudent to seek 2m unit capacity through unitary plan review process.
Natural environment
In Orakei we have some strategic opportunities to optimise some Council assets then acquire significant green space that will enhance regional green corridors. In a previous term I instigated a contestable tree-maintenance fund to incentivise private land owners to save their mature trees when government took away Council ability to impose tree protections. I support a coastal inundation qualifying matter so we don't have dumb density in flood plains and climate susceptible coastal margins.
Community
At grass roots Orakei level I instigated the call to return a late night library service offering, promoting our heritage library as an educative community congregating facility. I am keen to promote innovative changes to some town side streets to enhance a sense of local village place-making and making local businesses more attractive. I actively share information with resident associations and special interest groups like Eastern Songbird and encourage membership of them.
Economic and cultural development
I am keen to promote innovative changes to some town side streets to enhance a sense of local village place-making and making local businesses more attractive. Local economic growth can come from improved local business amenity investment, more public / private partnerships to develop some Council owned amenity and promoting signature Orakei heritage and features to attract visitors. In Orakei we proudly hold biennial local business awards recognising success attracts success.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I support the Auckland Future Fund to reduce reliance on rates revenue and allow new revenues allocated to service delivery. I support focusing core Council competencies in proposed local government law review. I am a Trustee of Auckland Marine Rescue Centre trust so understand the regional significance of commercial and recreational marine activity. Iwant to see the Hauraki Gulf forum galvanised to protect the Gulf. In Orakei we work well with Ngati Whatua to help their strategic outcomes.
Candidate's supporting links
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