Our Council

Amended Development Contributions Policy

As a result of decisions arising from a judicial review, and as part of ongoing improvements, council has approved a new 2009 Development Contributions Policy. The policy gives council a method to obtain contributions to fund infrastructure in the city. The new procedure amends the process and includes schedules of charges. The city is currently processing the reassessments and refunds for any assessments completed under the original 2004 and original 2006 policies. More

City Plan published

At a special meeting, North Shore City Council approved the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP), covering the term 2009-2024 which set out the city's major projects and expenditure for the next 15 years, looking at the things that the community has said are important to it. Before the council could sign off the plan, approval was needed from the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA), which is tasked with overseeing the changes Auckland's local governance. More

Select Committee hearing submissions on Auckland Bill

Our council continues to work closely with the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) as we move toward the merging of all eight Auckland councils. The new Auckland Council will be established in time for the next local government elections in October next year. Through most of July, the Auckland Governance Subcommittee will be hearing submissions on the Auckland Bill, which will underpin the structure of the new council. This includes oral submissions from North Shore City and three of its community boards, made this morning. More

Preparing for a pandemic 

North Shore City is supporting the Ministry of Health and Medical Authorities in preparing for the possible spread of H1N1 virus. While main responsibility for planning for a pandemic comes from the Ministry of Health and the local district health board, North Shore City Council is taking steps to ensure that community welfare support is maintained. We have completed thorough planning in our Civil Defence and Emergency Management structure. We are also working to lower the risk for residents using council facilities such as bus stations and offices where we are taking particular care to disinfect surfaces where we can. More

Applications sought for Regional Arts Funding

The city is calling for applications to the North Shore City Auckland Regional Services Trust (ARST) Arts Fund, 2009. ARST provides for the funding of projects taking place within the Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau Region that can demonstrate significant cultural, economic and social impact through the development of arts initiatives, events and/or programmes. Criteria for access to this fund includes the requirement that initiatives must be of 'regional significance', occur within the Auckland Region, and / or promote and celebrate the cultural diversity of the region, excellence and innovation in arts and culture, and / or raise the profile of the arts across the Region. More information and application form

Walking Strategy Adopted

North Shore City Council thanks all those who wrote submissions on the draft North Shore City Walking Strategy. A total of 56 public submissions were received over a one month period ending March 16, 2009. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and reflected council’s thinking while feedback helped to clarify and separate out some of the issues. Councillors resolved to adopt the revised North Shore City Walking Strategy 2009 at the Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting on 7 June 2009. More information

What's On

North Shore City Street Jam

While the winter weather was dreary, it did nothing to dampen the spirits of some 100 keen basketball players and supporters who descended on the North Shore City Street Jam on Saturday (July 11). Organised by the North Shore City Council, the three-on-three basketball competition coincided with the hosting of the FIBA Under 19 World Championships in the city. Participants had a great time competing – with the top team in the Open category taking away a VIP table for four to watch the Final of the FIBA U19 World Basketball Championships the following day at North Shore Events Centre. More

Body Arts at Bruce Mason on 25 July

Cutting edge, contemporary, creative: body art is all of these and more. Come and see for yourself! On 25 July 2009 North Shore City’s Bruce Mason Centre will host a visual extravaganza. A signature sponsored event in North Shore City Council's event portfolio, the New Zealand Body Art Awards evening will be a feast for the eyes – featuring body painting, prosthetics, special effects and fluorescent illusion. Audience participation, such as wearing an outfit inspired by the theme Fantasia Asia, is encouraged. If you want to enjoy this celebration of an amazing industry, visit Ticketmaster to book your tickets. To find out more visit www.bodyartawards.co.nz or see the full story here

World Accordion Championships

If you're looking for musical entertainment that's a little different, then there's something for you next month at the Bruce Mason Centre.  Comen and listen as the world’s finest accordionists compete for the prestigious 62nd Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championship titles for 2009, from 25 to 29 August.  North Shore City Council is pleased to sponsor the event, which will see top international performers in classical, entertainment, digital and ensemble categories, on button and piano accordions, converge on our city from around the world. More

Still much to see and do for Matariki

Haven't had a chance to celebrate Matariki yet? There are still some wonderful events happening in North Shore City that you can be a part of. Matariki (24 June – 24 July in 2009) is the traditional Maori New Year. It is identified by the sighting of the new moon in June, along with the rise of a group of stars known in Aotearoa as Matariki, the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters.  Each year North Shore residents are well catered for as part of Auckland's regional Matariki Festival, which encompasses cultural events and activities across Tamaki Makaurau. More

Our Neighbourhood

Birkenhead library making good progress

A new home for Birkenhead community's book collection is drawing closer to completion. The new library and civic centre in Nell Fisher Reserve will provide a huge number of benefits for the community, including important social services such as Plunket and Citizens Advice Bureau. Councillor Tony Holman says it’s an enormously exciting project and a huge investment in community services. Recently Mainzeal completed the basement floor and walls, and a large crane has lifted pre-cast panels for the ground floor walls onto the building. The mezzanine floor and roof are now taking shape.

Borrowing books beats recession blues

Recent statistics show North Shore libraries are garnering more visitors than ever before, but borrowing fines are on the decrease. The unusual combination comes since the timely implementation of a new automated email reminder system, a year ago, coincided with tough times for the economy.  Libraries Manager Geoff Chamberlain says in the financial year to 30 June 2009, visitor numbers have increased 4.5 percent (77,000 visits), while library users have saved some $55,000 in overdue penalties, compared to the previous year. More

Public participation sought in parks plan

North Shore City Council and the Department of Conservation (DoC) are jointly calling for written submissions from people interested in contributing to the preparation of a reserve management plan for the historic Narrow Neck Beach and Fort Takapuna reserves. It is proposed to develop the sites as a recreation reserve whilst protecting its historic features and values, and members of the community are invited to off ideas for the future use, development and on-going management of the reserve. People with knowledge or photos of the history of the land and its surrounds are also invited to contribute to the process. More

Ramp signals go North

The first ramp signals on the Northern Motorway are now operational as part of the delivery of the NZ Transport Agency's comprehensive traffic management system for Auckland.  The ramp signals are now operating on the northbound on-ramps at Tristram Avenue and Upper Harbour Highway. A bus priority lane has also been established at Upper Harbour Highway for use by buses travelling north from the Constellation Bus Station.   The next group of ramp signals at Esmonde Road (from Akoranga Drive), Esmonde Road (from Takapuna) and Northcote Road on-ramps will start operating soon. More

Public place recycling bins coming to Takapuna and Devonport

Eight purpose-built public place recycling bins are now in Takapuna and Devonport so that you can recycle your empty drink bottles and cans on the go. The new recycling bins are part of a Ministry for the Environment-funded trial that starts in July 2009 and runs to June 2010 to study how well people will utilise recycling bins in public places. The stainless steel bins are easily recognisable by the green ‘Love NZ’ logo and were initiated by Mayor Andrew Williams and councillor Ken McKay near the library in Devonport and at the end of The Strand park area in Takapuna. More

Council to develop Peninsula travel plan 

Lake Road, from Jutland Rd to Napier Ave in Takapuna, will be upgraded over the next 18 months. Thirty-nine thousand vehicles travel along this stretch each day and improvements will provide significant safety and traffic flow benefits for commuters. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to commuters during construction works of this upgrade.  Part of the effort to minimise disruption will now include encouraging area residents to consider alternative methods of transport such as ferries, buses, carpooling, walking and cycling. The next step will be collating approaching key stakeholders to discuss travel planning option. More