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- By Alan Cole, Franklin Local Board
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone in Franklin who submitted feedback on our draft local board plan. To those who came out to our in person events, I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions and listening to your input.
This year’s consultation was our biggest effort in gathering submissions to date as we attended more community-led events than ever before.
The number of submissions processed so far has already exceeded 2023’s consultation by more than 930 percent.
It’s humbling to see this level of participation as it will help us consider the range of views in our diverse area and finalise a well-informed plan that is shaped by real, meaningful insights from the people it is written for.
Over the next couple of months, we will be reviewing your feedback to finalise the plan before adopting it in
October.
As we work through your feedback, I’m pleased to report progress on the Franklin Paths Targeted Rate programme – a fine example of a series of projects that demonstrate the value of long-term planning and community advocacy.
You might have heard, construction on the long awaited Sandspit Reserve Coastal Path is finally underway and is expected to open this summer.
The state-of-the-art coastal boardwalk, which kick started the Franklin Paths Targeted Rate programme, will transform access to Waiuku’s waterfront. It will connect locals and hopefully more visitors to key destinations such as Sandspit Reserve, the Riverside Drive Recreation Reserve and the Waiuku Yacht Club, with unobstructed views of the Waiuku River.
The project has been championed since 2017 by my fellow board member Gary Holmes, who represents the Waiuku subdivision, along with Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, the Waiuku Trails Committee, Waiuku Business and Development Association and Waiuku Yacht Club.
It’s encouraging to see the Franklin Paths programme gaining momentum and showing return on investment for ratepayers.
These achievements are only possible through strong partnerships and an engaged community.
Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute their ideas, time and passion to making Franklin an even better place to live, work and play.
On the topic of pathways and connections, I recently attended the official opening ceremony for the new Drury and Paerata train stations.
Many of you will be pleased to hear each station has 350 park and ride spaces, as well as bicycle and motorcycle parking.
The completion of these stations is timed perfectly to service south Auckland’s expected growth and to connect into the upcoming opening of the City Rail Link.
