Press release: Ryan Hicks

The Avondale Swimming Pool decision has only been deferred

I think it is entirely appropriate that C&R members on the Avondale community board abstained from voting to immediately reinstate funding for the Avondale pool. I love Auckland and I am vitally interested in the environmental and social sustainability of our beautiful city.

But without economic sustainability you cannot have environmental and social sustainability. Auckland faces major uncertainties because it has become economically unsustainable in its present form, as proven by the formation of a royal commission into Auckland's future and governance. Further, the public understands this as proven by the election of a new Mayor and council after suffering massive rates rises, sometimes as much as 50% in one year, to pay for the uncontrolled spending and poor management of the city.

As a young person I know that many young people are struggling to afford houses, and bring them up to the condition that these hard working young New Zealanders deserve. To inflict massive rates rises on them was to add insult to injury.

Because Auckland has become unsustainable, we now face uncertainty over its future governance. What will the future Auckland council look like? Or will Auckland be represented by a number of community boards on a single Auckland Regional council? We do not know the answers to this. However, I am optimistic for the future. I am sure that the intelligent hard working people of Auckland will choose a governance structure than is cost effective and efficient. I am sure that Auckland will be a great city to live in the future.

I am sure that Avondale will eventually get a swimming pool, but by deferring this decision now, until we know the future governance structure of Auckland is common sense. If, THIS TIME, amalgamation can lead to the cost efficiencies it was suppose to deliver LAST TIME, I am sure Avondale and all suburbs will get better facilities than we ever thought possible and I will be the strongest advocate for those facilities.

Ryan Hicks Community Board Member Eden-Albert Ward Auckland City ryanhicks@edenalbert.co.nz www.edenalbert.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media