Getting on with what matters to Franklin residents

• By Franklin Local Board chair, Angela Fulljames

One of the most rewarding parts of serving on the local board is seeing how our work reflects what the community cares about the most.

We’ve just wrapped up consultation on Auckland’s Annual Plan, and it’s given us a clear picture of what matters most to people in Franklin, what’s working well, what’s missing, and where we need to focus next.

What we heard was honest and consistent. People want to see continued investment in the
things that make a difference in their everyday lives. Safe parks, quality play spaces,
environmental support, more sports facilities, and community hubs that bring people together.

At the same time, we’re seeing rapid housing growth across Franklin. New developments are popping up quickly, but the support services and spaces that turn neighbourhoods into
communities just aren’t keeping up.

The need is real, and the community has made it clear, it’s time to back our growth with
meaningful investment. Projects in Clevedon, Karaka, Patumāhoe, Pukekohe, Glenbrook and Drury are top of the list.

Clevedon Hall, playground and showgrounds are ready to go on paper, and we’re pushing for delivery to be brought forward to 2027/2028. Karaka Sports Park is shovel-ready, with a $23 million business case already completed. It just needs dedicated funding to move forward.

Glenbrook and Patumāhoe have long awaited park facility development. Drury Sport Park
has a strong concept plan and support from both Franklin and Papakura Local Boards – we’re calling for a joint funding approach to make it happen.

The concept plans are done for many of these, and other projects, and the need is undeniable. We will continue to advocate for these projects to be brought forward for growth funding under urgency.

Alongside these key projects, the board reviewed the wider consultation feedback, balancing it with regional priorities. We’ll use this feedback to guide the work we focus on in the year 2025/2026.

Residents showed strong support for key local priorities. Over half (55 percent) said
community hub services in Beachlands and Clevedon were very or fairly important, while 51 percent backed improved outreach to isolated communities. Accelerated delivery of sport and recreation facilities, including one-off funding for Te Puru, Beachlands, and Karaka Sports Park – received the highest level of support at 67 percent.

Progress on the Franklin Paths programme was also important to many, with 56 percent in favour. Additionally, 64 percent of respondents supported urban tree planting as part of the existing Franklin Urban Ngāhere (Forest) Action Plan.

For us, this work isn’t just about budgets or plans. It’s about people. It’s about making sure
Franklin continues to be a place where families thrive, where young people have places to
play and grow, and shared spaces reflect our shared values.

The final decision on the annual plan will be made at the June 2025 Governing Body
meeting. That decision will shape our local board work programme for 2025/2026. We’ll
keep pushing to make sure your priorities remain at the heart of it. Your voice matters, and it’s helping us make real progress.