15th July 2016
Shore Action Selects Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Candidates

New team Shore Action is bringing together fresh and experienced faces from across the North Shore community to contest the 2016 Auckland Council elections.

We are standing candidates for Council (North Shore Ward), the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and the Kaipātiki Local Board.

Our action plan includes:

· A zero tolerance to selling any reserve land, and a commitment to saving both the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park and the Anzac St carpark - home of the Takapuna Sunday Market.
· Increased investment in our reserves, extension of our park volunteer network, pest reduction and clean-up of our precious bush and waterways.
· Genuine consultation without the spin - listening to you and keeping you informed on what is happening in your neighbourhood.
· Much more to be announced soon.
Shore Action has selected the following candidates to contest the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board seats:

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L-R: Trish Deans, Rohan Lord, Jan O’Connor, Garry Venus, Anne-Elise Smithson (North Shore Ward only), Grant Gillon (also standing for North Shore Ward), Petra Heemskerk.

Trish Deans

As the chairperson of the Devonport Heritage conservation group and former Assistant Principal at Kelston Girls’ College, Trish Deans has the skills to understand what matters to people and most importantly, to advocate and give voice to their concerns.

“I believe that my 22 years in community roles has given me the experience and skills to be a strong voice for local people,” said Trish Deans. “I stand for the control of rates, consulting the public meaningfully, keeping the city's assets in public hands and keeping Auckland's iconic identity.”

Trish lives in Devonport and is currently a postgraduate student undertaking a Master’s programme in Negotiation and Mediation - vital skills needed on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.

Dr Grant Gillon

Dr Grant Gillon is a life-long North Shore resident, businessman, Local Board member and former Councillor. Grant believes that protecting our unique Shore identity, lifestyle and landscape from the ‘one size fits all’ thinking is the real challenge ahead for anyone elected to represent the North Shore on Auckland Council.

“I stand for fairer rates, improved public transport, reduced congestion, enhanced heritage protection, affordable housing and a comprehensive planning approach,” said Dr Grant Gillon.

Grant Gillon is also standing as a Shore Action councillor candidate for the North Shore ward.

Petra Heemskerk

Petra Heemskerk has been involved in grass roots politics for several years, organising community meetings on the impact of the Unitary Plan (PAUP) on the North Shore area. She is also a member of the Belmont Hauraki Community Association, which has been actively engaged with Auckland Transport in discussions regarding the Corridor Management Plan for Lake Road and community engagement in the Area Plan.

“I am a passionate advocate for transparent local government and strong and genuine representation of community voices in the local decision making process," said Petra Heemskerk.

Rohan Lord

Rohan Lord is passionate about saving public land from elite interests. “The community has spoken and we must listen and stop the theft of public land, including the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park,” said Rohan Lord.

Rohan Lord brings a wide range of skills and experience to Shore Action. They range from his involvement in blue chip corporations to being an America’s Cup team member. Rohan is an experienced yachtie (ex-New Zealand Laser Champion and 6th ex-Olympic Star Class world championships), Iron Man competitor, and has even ski raced in Afghanistan and Gorilla trekked in Uganda.

Jan O’Connor

Jan O'Connor is a current member of the Devonport Takapuna Local Board with many years of experience in local government, having served as a councillor on North Shore City Council and as a member of Takapuna Community Board. She is an appointed trustee of the Michael King Writers Centre, a former trustee of the Pumphouse Trust, and is passionate about transport issues and easing congestion.

Jan has strong concerns over how the new Unitary Plan will allow greater housing intensification, yet no additional reserve land. To this end she has obtained well over 5,000 signatures to petition Council to stop the sale of the Central Anzac Street carpark zoned for 9 storey apartments. Her vision is that this land will become an “Aotea Square”, forming a much needed open space in the fully developed, high rise Takapuna that is expected to house an additional 9,000 people.

Garry Venus

Garry Venus is an environmental planner with over 30 years’ experience working in New Zealand and overseas. Garry was born in Devonport and lives in Takapuna. Through his professional career he has become keenly aware of what constitutes good practice in Council and regulatory decision-making in regard to the management of community assets.

“I have followed recent Council and Local Board decisions such as the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park and Anzac St carpark, and believe that there is a need for greater accountability and transparency in the decision making process,” said Garry Venus. “I believe that my skills can make a difference.”

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