From Bevan Woodward, SkyPath Trust
Council supports SkyPath:
Last week Council’s Strategy & Finance Committee voted to support Len Brown’s recommendation for Council staff to advance their work on SkyPath’s funding and delivery arrangements. This will then come back to Council for their consideration which if positive would enable SkyPath to be implemented.
Cost savings identified:
Beca Infrastructure have further analysed the bridge strengthening works required for SkyPath and, through an innovative solution, have significantly reduced the complexity and costs of this work. NZTA will now consider their financial contribution to these strengthening works.
The updated cost estimate (before NZTA’s contribution) is $30.5 million, this includes the landings at each end, special night lighting, security measures, observation decks and a contingency of $4 million.
Updated business case:
Auckland Transport has worked with Ernst & Young to update their business case. The low use/low growth patronage scenario now shows an overall surplus of circa $10 million. We are awaiting their figures for the high use/high growth patronage scenario.
Working with key stakeholders:
We have been in dialogue with the various stakeholder groups as we work on the detail of SkyPath’s landings at each end, see:
http://www.skypath.org.nz/project-status/consultation/
We have reviewed the Northcote Residents Association, St Marys Bay Association and Westhaven Marina Users Association’s submissions to Council which outlined why they are opposed to SkyPath. We believe that each of their concerns are addressed or can be resolved to enable SkyPath to proceed.
“SeaPath” to connect SkyPath to Takapuna:
Northcote Residents Association were keen for us to provide a seamless connection through to Takapuna so that there would be far fewer people using the streets of Northcote Point. Hence we developed “SeaPath” which is now with NZTA and Auckland Transport to develop, see:
http://www.skypath.org.nz/the-seapath/
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or feedback.
Auckland Council, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Transport, Bridges, General News, Infrastructure, Key Projects, Len Brown, Northcote, NZTA
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Auckland Council, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Transport, Bridges, General News, Infrastructure, Key Projects, Len Brown, Northcote, NZTA
In today’s press release about extending free access for children to swimming pools across all of Auckland, Len Brown finished with:
“We know only too well, following yet another tragedy this week, that teaching our kids to swim should be as important as teaching them to ride a bike,”
Two great policies there to support.
Of course, congratulations also go to Len and his Council supporters for clearing the next hurdle for a better transport system for Auckland – by getting the next step toward the City Rail Link tunnel funded (planning costs and some property purchases). We hope the Council shows similar vision on the Harbour Bridge walk and cycleway (which is not decided yet, as far as we can see).
![Evening Views 300x210 Mail [Len Brown] to Get Across!](http://caa.org.nz/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Evening-Views-300x210.jpg "Evening Views")
Guest post by the AHB Pathway Trust
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This now won’t be the case, as Auckland Transport haven’t completed their Pathway report that was due to be presented to the Transport Committee tomorrow. We’re concerned that Council’s funding through the LTP could be in question.
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The very last chance to get the Pathway in the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) will be at the Council Strategy and Finance Committee meeting on May 23. It’s critical for Council to support the Pathway as a self-funding transformational project which can be achieved at very small cost to ratepayers.
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There is huge support for the Pathway – over 60% of submissions to the Council Draft LTP on the subject of walking and cycling specifically mentioned the Pathway (that’s more than 300 of you who submitted in support). We believe Council should take public desire seriously by allocating funds to make sure the Pathway is investigated and progress is made towards making it a reality.
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Here are some key points:
- It’s our goal to provide the Pathway at no cost to ratepayers (in fact we believe the project will be a revenue earner for Council)
- The $1.3 million seed funding requested for the LTP can be capitalised and reimbursed.
- The Pathway project is now at detailed design stage.
The Pathway is now on strong foundations as a revenue-producing proposal that can be achieved quickly at minimal cost to ratepayers. Recent agreement on the structural feasibility from NZTA has been major step forward, and private investment has been identified. But we need Council onboard as an active partner, looking at the best options in terms of development funding and a potential partial underwrite and its own investigation of the PPP’s feasibility.
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We’re working hard to get the Pathway included in the LTP. You can help by emailing the mayor’s office explaining why you want the Pathway: len.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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With your support, this project has come too far for Council to ignore.
Auckland Council, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Transport, Bridges, General News, Infrastructure, Key Projects, Len Brown
| Auckland Council, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Harbour Bridge pathway, Auckland Transport, Bridges, Council support, General News, Infrastructure, Key Projects, Len Brown, LTP
The Telstra-Clear Challenge marked the first time cyclists were able to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge with permission in 52 years.
All types of riders tackled the ride and were pleased to find how easy and enjoyable it is to cycle the Bridge. Mayor Len Bown’s comments in support of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway proposal for permanent walking and cycling access across the Bridge got lots of popular support from the crowds, with many North Shore participants realising regular cycle commuting to the city is achievable.
Mayor Len, wearing a Getacross campaign cycling shirt, rode across the Bridge with Cycle Action’s Barbara Cuthbert, ahead of thousands of excited and happy Aucklanders. Len told TVNZ and TV3 news that that Council has been looking closely at the Pathway proposal and he expected a full report to Council soon.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway proposal for enclosed facility underneath the soutbound clipon lane has Cycle Action’s support as one of our key projects to improve cycling in Auckland.
The proposal could go ahead as a privately funded tolled facility if NZTA won’t provide funding. More information on the proposal is at www.getacross.org.nz, and TV3 gave the issue great coverage in its report
Auckland Harbour Bridge, Bridges, Events, General News, Len Brown, Sports cycling
| Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Harbour Bridge pathway, Barbara Cuthbert, Bridges, Events, General News, Len Brown, Mayor Len Bown, Sports cycling
One year down the track from the creation of The Super City, The Aucklander asked a panel of residents “how have the changes affected you and your area?” CAA Chair Barb Cuthbert was one of those interviewed. Barb commented…
“I definitely feel more of an Aucklander. Devonport in particular has been a winner because over half a million dollars has been invested in upgrading the wharf for the Rugby World Cup. I wouldn’t expect to see a change for individual suburbs within a year, as so much has been poured into the new centralised systems. This is a sound investment as it will pay dividends in the years to come.”
She feels Len Brown needs more support from the Government and Aucklanders.
“Len is working hard to spread himself across the region. He is doing a good job on big issues like cajoling the government into the vital projects like the CBD tunnel. The general population has to support him in the coming election. We need to give the Government the message that they can’t denigrate Auckland with cheap point scoring games. Auckland deserves collaboration, not big brother treatment from Wellington.”
She believes progress has been made already.
“The Auckland, Local Board Plans and Waterfront Auckland plans show the way to a future that will transform Auckland into an engaging space for its citizens. However I am appalled by the arrogant response from the Government to Auckland initiatives. It is ‘business as usual’ from Wellington – motorways to the far reaches of the region, support for more urban sprawl and ridiculous rhetoric over the CBD tunnel. Auckland got the super-city because it is the economic engine for the country. The sooner the government collaborates the better.”
Click here for the full story
Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Auckland Waterfront, Len Brown, Media, National government
| Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Auckland Waterfront, Len Brown, Media, National government
Comments (2) 
From Bevan Woodward, SkyPath Trust
Fullers (CAA Sponsor)
Themocracy