Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Michelle CLAYTON
Candidate for Waitākere Ranges Local Board
Independent
Candidate statement
I live in Glen Eden and have a background in nursing and social service management. For the last 6 years I have been privileged to be a representative on the local board working with many groups to help them achieve their aims and helping people navigate the complexities of council. I stand for- Community First- Prioritising local voices in Council decisions. I will work for: Action on basic maintenance; Initiatives to make our town centres safer; Protecting the natural environment; Funding for community facilities, improving our parks and getting more walking tracks open; Community resilience and supporting or amazing volunteers; Better public transport and infrastructure; Parking solutions in our intensified areas. I believe in genuine representation and leadership from the grassroots that helps protect the unique character of our area whilst ensuring our community thrives. If you want a strong advocate working for you, vote Clayton.
Why I want to be elected
I believe in genuine representation and leadership from the grassroots that truly listens and advocates strongly on the issues you face, be it wanting action on basic maintenance, addressing the issues of intensification, protecting our environment or improving our facilities and opening more tracks. I will be your voice at the council table to have your queries answered and your needs heard.
My key skills and qualities
I am hard working, tenacious and fair in my decision making. I make decisions based on the facts before me and as an independent am led by the community and their needs. i have lived in the area for over 20 years and know the environment and the community well. I am connected to many local groups and am a regular at most events. Council processes can be slow and I never give up. Elected members working together with the community is what makes the difference and helps to get things done.
My top three key issues
Improving footpaths and safe parking a priority i address every day. Standing in the Ranges means I am passionate about our environment, getting on top of maintenance and supporting the many volunteer groups in the weed and pest eradication projects. With a background in social services people are always a priority. So that is supporting initiatives to help improve our town centres making them safer and where people can feel that they belong, increasing access to the forest and improving parks.
My position on key topics
Transport
Our local footpaths have become dangerous in many areas through lack of maintenance. AT needs to prioritize this work with some urgency. It is a basic need to be able to walk around safely and we really are not doing a good enough job. Intensification and lack of parking on new builds has created a problem for our local roads. AT needs to look at this to make them safer for drivers as well as pedestrians. Smaller buses are needed for our rural roads to stop them getting stuck, damaging the road
Water
Our water infrastructure needs investment to meet the demands and for our area this means a lot of work in the coming years that will impact our daily lives. Good communication and listening to the community who know more about the area than anyone will help minimise the disruption. Maintenance of drains to reduce the risk of more catastrophic slips. Investment in storm and waste water to ensure that our beaches stay clean is also an imperative.
Built environment
We have to stop building houses that have no parking or greenspace in the outer suburbs of the city. This is causing problems for our infrastructure and daily lives in an attempt to put as many people into one small space as possible. We need to rethink good urban design and have the whole community considered not just developers. We need housing but it needs to be near amenity and employment not in the older western suburbs where we end up with more congestion. We are just creating problems.
Natural environment
I am committed to protecting and enhancing our natural spaces by supporting projects that will restore native habitats, improve water quality and increase bio-diversity. Council works alongside some amazing volunteer groups who get involved in predator control, community planting and weeding projects. These projects help to build climate resilience by reducing the risk of flooding and erosion which further cause slips that damage the environment and infrastructure including homes.
Community
I think we have a strong vibrant community who come together at times of need and it is important to foster this by supporting our local groups, investment in improvements to our local facilities and bringing people together through events. I plan to pursue investment in our local parks to ensure they meet the needs of our diverse community including accessible options for EVERYONE to enjoy, improving drainage and sunshade to increase usability and supporting the opening of more tracks.
Economic and cultural development
We have a strong cultural heritage in the arts and by creating events that draw people in to the town centres and local businesses , boosting economic growth. Encouraging connection with the local business associations in their aspirations including connection to the community and supporting spending local activities Working with the Glen Eden Bid on projects to make the town centre feel safer and liaising with the NZ police and Māori wardens so that people feel more comfortable in the area.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
For our area storm recovery is still a real issue with some roads still closed and slips occurring in the Ranges whenever it rains. Community preparedness is essential as is building a resilient infrastructure that has to include regular maintenance, weeding and planting, investment in new water infrastructure as well as slip repairs. We are a diverse community and learn from each other. Building and maintaining strong relationships with Tangata and Mana Whenua helps all of us.
Candidate's supporting links
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