The non-expert conferencing on the East West Link project for the Neilson Street Interchange area took place on Friday. During this meeting members of the public and local organisations made their views clear on how they want the area to be developed. Key issues were to keep transport options to the port open, including the future for light rail, restoration of the Onehunga foreshore by way of continuing the award winning Taumanu Reserve round to the Port of Onehunga, complete removal of the Transpower pylons from the bay and across Onehunga Lagoon, and extending the proposed land bridge in front of The Landing Hotel so that less of the road infrastructure is visible below it. These four ideals were recognised as important to the majority present, however the Council Family representatives (Auckland Council planner, Panuku representative, and the Maungakiekie-Tamaki and Mangere-Otahuhu local boards), all abstained from the resolutions put forward. This was most surprising considering Panuku have made their aspirations for revitalising Onehunga so well known in their Transform Onehunga high level plans, which include restoring Onehunga's waterfront and improving the quality of the coastal environment, to create a healthy, activated foreshore environment, and reconnecting Onehunga to the Manukau. Perhaps the Auckland Council family representatives suddenly forgot these goals, or perhaps as Rod Marler (Panuku's representative) expressed during the meeting, “Panuku’s aspirations are constrained by current EWL design (severance issues are significant)”, and perhaps the Family are not willing to challenge these fully by stating their position openly on this. Please let Auckland Council and Panuku know how you feel about this. Feedback on Panuku's plans can be made until 30th of June via Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board's 2017 Draft Plan and short survey at www.shapeauckland.co.nz