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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.
Penelope Joy MILLER
Candidate for Waitākere Ranges Local Board
WestWards
Candidate statement
Working with Ken Turner and Sunil Kaushal and the WestWards Team. I have lived in the Waitakere Ranges since I was a child. On my first day in Huia I got lost in the bush behind the house and discovered my place to stand. I am proud mother of 1, grandmother of 2 and great-grandmother of 3. I have affiliated myself with the Westwards because we are of one mind, advocating for increased funding for road maintenance, our parks and community facilities. That community initiatives must be practicable and endorsed by the communities these initiatives will serve. We are lucky to have so unique an environment, this precious resource has given me so much, it’s time I pay it forward. Huia and the Waitakere’s is my place to stand, as it is for many and it needs to be open for us and our children’s children to find their place.
Why I want to be elected
If elected I will work with my fellow loacal board members to protect the interests of our community. I know funding is limited so I'm not interested in vanity projects just the boring stuff such as maintaining our drains, maintaining our parks and reserves. Planning ahead for increasing water run off and soil erosion will be an important task for our board into the future. I also want to restore our stunning Waitakere Ranges tracks for all to connect with.
My key skills and qualities
When I commit to a task I don't give up even if it gets hard. I'm a team player and a good communicater. I am an educator and have experience working with government agencies. I love to reseach and will always look beneath the surface to find the truth.
My top three key issues
We live in a large under-populated area that is used by all of Auckland as their playground, I do not begrudge them this but to keep this playground open for them more funding is needed. We dont need board walks just maintained tracks, there are enough easy tracks now open for the less fit. Regular maintainence of roads and the drainage that undermines road integrity must be programmed into future plans. I also want to see greater transparency as we are working for you.
My position on key topics
Transport
Road maintainence as our roads are falling apart, I do support public transport but poorly maintained roads and drainage affect our cars and buses, our properties evejn.
Water
Protect the supply by fixing the leaks in water pipes, the water loss leaking under our roads causes road damage and waste and does not protect our future supply. Outside urban areas encourage alternative waste mangement, electric and composting toilets to reduce the dependence on wastewater services in low density areas.
Built environment
I believe we need to go up not out and futureproof sevices and infrastructure accordingly. Stop developers from building narrow townhouses that are not fit for purpose, homes need to be built to be lived in for generations, hold their stuff and become treasured pieces of their past.
Natural environment
The only way to manage change is to accept it and prepare. Future proofing our infrastructure does not mean managed retreat it means fix what is broken and building on and maintaining what we already have. Keep our drains clear, allow run off to go where it does no harm. Clean up forestry areas instead of moving people off their land.
Community
By listening to what our community wants, be transparent and honest.
Economic and cultural development
Keep our community centres clean and well maintained as places people want to be in.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
As a local board member I will little to do with this and my feelings on these subjects will take more than 500 characters to express.
Candidate's supporting links
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