Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Genevieve SAGE
Candidate for Waitematā and Gulf Ward
Independent
Candidate statement
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has the potential to be one of the world’s great cities. To get there, we need hard-working councillors with energy, a vision for Auckland and the skills required to make sensible decisions about complex issues. As current chair of the Waitematā Local Board, I’ve proven that I’ve got what it takes. I’m a mother, a keen sportswoman and a long-term resident of Parnell and Central Auckland. I have a BSc in biology and an MBA. My key policies are: securing our core infrastructure – a second harbour crossing, prioritising stormwater/wastewater management, greater climate resilience, and a commonsense transition to more/better public transport; fiscally responsible decision-making – not petty personal politics; promoting events, to boost economic growth; port relocation – unlocking the potential of our magnificent waterfront; civic aesthetics – looking after our city with pride. You can read more at www.genevievesage.nz
Why I want to be elected
I will bring to the Waitematā and Gulf ward, and to the wider Auckland region, the energy, drive, hard work and fiscal responsibility which some of the longer serving Councillors no longer provide. I believe Auckland has the potential to be one of the world's great cities. Council needs to be aspirational and this needs to be driven by Councillors. I will bring dignity and commonsense to the role. I believe in collaboration, not grandstanding. It's time for a change.
My key skills and qualities
I am experienced in Auckland local body politics. I have a deep understanding of the way Auckland Council operates and my time on the Waitematā Local Board has prepared me well for the role of Councillor. I’m not coming into this under-prepared. I have a track record of practical, sensible decision making, to move the Waitematā area forward - free of political dogma. I have stood firmly against procrastination and resistance to change. I have the commercial and financial acumen needed in Council
My top three key issues
My key priorities are: 1. Invest in core infrastructure - sufficient water and wastewater capacity to not throttle growth; commonsense transition to public transport; 75 year planning horizon to enable greater private sector involvement. 2. Relocate the port (25 year project) to unlock economic potential of waterfront. 3. Year round calendar of major events to drive economic growth (with public/private partnership to build fully enclosed waterfront stadium).
My position on key topics
Transport
Plan for a city of 5 million people. A 75 year planning horizon opens up more funding solutions and transport outcomes. Work with private sector to access capital for major projects, like rail and light rail. Commonsense transition to public transport by offering alternatives which are better and more affordable. Upgrade our worst main roads. Interconnected cycleways, separated from roads. Second harbour crossing before current bridge collapses.More at www.genevievesage.nz
Water
Don’t throttle growth by not having enough capacity in our networks and treatment plants. Require Watercare to unlock private sector investment in water/wastewater, rather than doing everything off its own balance sheet. This can be done without compromising service levels or environmental outcomes, while keeping customer charges affordable. Prioritise expenditure on stormwater/wastewater expenditure to keep sewage out of our harbours. More at www.genevievesage.nz
Built environment
Plan for and invest in neighbourhoods that strengthen communities, for example, build a pool on Waiheke. Provide high quality urban environments to meet the needs of the city's long-term growth. Improve public realm in areas around CRL stations, for example, Maungawhau Station. Improve safety, amenities and community experience. Be smart about heritage, for example, either save the St James or demolish it, rather than leaving it in its current eyesore state. More at www.genevievesage.nz
Natural environment
Plan ahead for greater climate resilience, rather than paying to clean up preventable damage from predictable weather events – clean our roads, stormwater drains and waterways. Design open greenspaces that double as overland flow paths. Stop coastal erosion. Retain our greenspaces but design them for better, multipurpose use. Look after our parks with a sense of pride. Bring life back to the Hauraki Gulf marine environment. Fund waste and pest management initiatives. More at www.genevievesage.nz
Community
Under the current dual governance model, Local Boards’ role is to enable communities to do things together – with targeted funding for events and community infrastructure. Council’s role is to ensure Local Boards have the money and support to be effective enablers. This means fewer Local Boards, but with greater funding and decision-making. Council can also build a sense of community by leading by example – looking after our civic assets with a sense of pride. More at www.genevievesage.nz
Economic and cultural development
Fund Tātaki Auckland to promote a year-round calendar of major events – to drive economic growth and make our city more vibrant. Build the necessary infrastructure, including a fully enclosed CBD stadium, using a public/private partnership with zero cost to ratepayers. Follow other cities’ examples or get left behind. Build a long term infrastructure pipeline with a 75 year planning horizon. Leverage CRL opening by investing in station precincts. More at www.genevievesage.nz
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
We need fiscally responsible Councillors with high levels of commercial and financial acumen, able to deal with multi-billion dollar issues. Determining the size of the Auckland Future Fund involves a complex acturarial calculation with multiple factors – such as the cost of insurance. But it also requires a policy overlay, so we don’t sacrifice core priorities to boost the Fund. Get the port out of central Auckland, to allow the waterfront’s economic potential to be unlocked.
Candidate's supporting links
These links to external websites have been provided by the candidates. The content on these websites does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.