Brighter prospects for broadband access
Posted Mon 06 Aug 2007
Auckland City Council's push for greater access to an urban fibre broadband network has led to a possible combined approach with Waitakere and Manukau city councils.
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New street performance and busking policy
Posted Thu 02 Aug 2007
The Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee today endorsed a policy to manage and encourage diverse, high quality street performance in Auckland city's public spaces.
The street performance Policy outlines a code of conduct for performers to observe and aims to assist musicians and other entertainers to gain experience while ensuring that they carry out activities safely and in appropriate areas.
Twelve-month licences will be issued free-of-charge to street performers who agree to comply with the criteria outlined in the Code of Conduct, which seeks to balance a performer's creative needs with everyday activities taking place in the city.
Councillor Penny Sefuiva, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, says the new approach will ensure that the city's streets are alive with entertainment.
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New protections for Auckland's natural icons in place
Posted Tue 31 Jul 2007
Changes to the District Plan (Residential 3 zone) passed last week will provide future protection for six of Auckland city's natural icons.

The new rules aim to preserve the natural landscape and special character of neighbourhoods around parts of the volcanic cones of Maungawhau Mt Eden, Owairaka Mt Albert, Titikopuke Mt St John, Remuwera Mt Hobson and Te Tatua a Riukiuta Three Kings as well as the Glendowie Coastal Cliffs.

Councillor Glenda Fryer says the provisions of the Residential 3 zone needed strengthening to give greater protection to the features.

"Since 1993 we have been able to monitor the type of development and its impact on these significant landforms through the special zoning. We found that the rules were not certain enough to ensure that these landforms remained intact, given the fragility of the environment. We need to ensure that buildings don't stick out like sore thumbs."

She adds that another change was to recognise significant heritage and character homes built before 1940, and to introduce new controls to protect them from demolition. The new rules match those for Residential 1 and 2 zones, which include parts of Ponsonby, Mt Eden and Epsom.

Councillor Fryer, who chaired the hearings panel, says the new rules carefully balance the rights of property owners with the need to afford greater protection to the unique landforms that characterise the city.

Public consultation on plans for enhanced visitor experience at iconic cone
Posted Sat 14 Jul 2007
Auckland City Council is progressing plans for a visitors' centre and alternative transport mode on Maungawhau Mt Eden to cater for visitors, while protecting the integrity of the cone.
Today's Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee resolved to consult with the public on a potential site for a visitors' centre and two potential transport options.
From mid September, the public will be asked to comment on:
• locating a visitors' centre at Tahaki Reserve West, at the base of Maungawhau Mt Eden
• a preferred transport option for the summit road, choosing between either a light-weight electric vehicle or an electronically guided four-seat vehicle
• the role and functions of any visitor centre and summit transport modes.
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New plans for bus lanes on Queen Street - your opinion counts
Posted Sat 14 Jul 2007
Auckland City Council is urging anyone who walks, cycles, drives or catches the bus into Queen Street to comment on its proposal to install dedicated bus lanes.
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