Some bad news that has been floating around, but not formalised anywhere until now (from the Open Agenda for the 20 August 2019 Waitematā Local Board):

"The Project team is unable to secure any funding for this project at this stage. This project cannot be prioritised for delivery under AT’s Road Safety Community programme, which is focused on high risk locations. This project will be on hold until funding is identified."

It's a fairly perverse outcome for the community, to state that Cook Street poses no real risk without any real consideration for context. What they are saying is that until people start dying it's not worth fixing.

I'll keep pushing, chasing, trying.

Now may be a good time to contact one or many of the following parties if you feel strongly about this:

1. Ward Councillor, Mike Lee: mike.lee@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
2. Local MP, Nikky Kaye: mp.aucklandcentral@parliament.govt.nz
3. Auckland Transport CEO, Shane Ellison: chief.executive@at.govt.nz
4. Auckland Transport Board Chair, Lester Levy: Lester.Levy@at.govt.nz
5. Transport/Urban Development Minister, Hon Phil Twyford: phil.twyford@parliament.govt.nz
6. Associate Transport Minister, Minister for Women, Party Spokesperson for Auckland Issues and Urban Development, Hon Julie Anne Genter: julieanne.genter@parliament.govt.nz
7. The NZTA complaints form if you are feeling really optimistic: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us/complaints/

In some better news, the Waitematā Local Board awarded a grant of $10,000 to the City Centre Residents' Group for placemaking activities in Victoria Quarter. A community meeting was help and feedback gathered. Linked is a summary of that process and possible responses that will be discussed again soon - I will send a note out via change.org with the details.

Community Project Report

If you have any thoughts or feedback, please contact us at info@ccrg.org.nz with a subject line of "Victoria Quarter Feedback" or similar.

Thanks again for your support.

-David