Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Candidate statement
My name is David Cooke and I have been a resident of Upper Harbour for twelve years. I am standing as an Independent. I believe that the Upper Harbour Local Board should be in greater consultation with Auckland Transport, adapt local policy to climate change and have greater consultation with the community. I recognise the need for improved drainage systems within Upper Harbour as well as deterrence of landslips and reconstruction of affected areas. In addition, I advocate for more community patrols over streets afflicted with crime and anti-social behaviour. There is also a need for better coordination with new bus services. My own background as a teacher has enabled me to understand and communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, enlarged my capacity to solve problems and ensure the proper allocation of resources. I can be a new voice for Upper Harbour.
Why I want to be elected
I believe that the Upper Harbour Local Board should be in greater consultation with Auckland Transport, adapt local policy to climate change and have greater consultation with the community. I recognise the need for improved drainage systems within Upper Harbour as well as deterrence of land slips and reconstruction of affected areas. In addition, I advocate for more community patrols over streets afflicted with crime and anti-social behaviour.
My key skills and qualities
My own background as a teacher has enabled me to understand and communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, enlarged my capacity to solve problems and ensure the proper allocation of resources.
My top three key issues
1. Removal of wasp nests in the Upper Harbour reserves. Due to climate change, wasp nests are getting more numerous and larger in the reserves. I believe arborists need to be empowered by the Upper Harbour Local Board to flush them out 2. There must be better coordination of new bus services especially for school children. 3. There needs to be greater and more frequent consultation with the local community over any new housing and commercial development within Upper Harbour.
My position on key topics
Transport
My priorities for transport are more yellow lines on narrow roads to prevent vehicle blockage, pot holes in commercial property needs to be filled in and there needs to be better timing coordination with new bus services. There also needs to be greater access to walking routes.
Water
I believe there needs to be a review of Auckland's water infrastructure including quality, flow and stormwater reinforcement. There also needs to be an upgrade to the oxidation ponds to reduce smell distribution particularly in Summer. There also needs to be an upgrade in standards to improve water quality.
Built environment
I believe that progress on Auckland's urban development must involve greater consultation with the local community when it comes to the construction of new town housing units. There also needs to be greater and more frequent identification concerning which buildings within Upper Harbour should receive heritage protection for both now and in the future.
Natural environment
There needs to be greater inspection and maintenance of the reserves within Upper Harbour. This is especially important for the effects climate change is having on our environment. The Upper Harbour Board should contract with arborists to remove the many and large wasp nests within the Reserve so that they do not spread throughout the neighbourhoods.
Community
By undertaking greater consultation with local people about which issues around their local community affect them the most. That is why I support the erection of new site maps to give the local community an idea as to what is going to built on a new commercial and/or residential area within Upper Harbour.
Economic and cultural development
There needs to be an increase in supporting local business in Upper Harbour. That is why I am supportive of long-term plans to grow new retail outlets in the Hobsonville Point area. In addition, I believe in reaching out to ethnic communities within Upper Harbour so that they can have a better say in their local community.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I believe in encouraging local Maori to participate more in meetings and consultation over resources and the allocation within Upper Harbour. This is especially important when it comes to the long-term growth for Auckland's Future Fund. New ideas need to be generated as to how to increase contributions to the Fund and Maori have a unique capacity to enlarge it.
Candidate's supporting links
The candidate has chosen not to provide a response.