Making the Bays count

Issue 1: A Third harbour crossing

The arguments for a second harbour crossing have centred largely on the need to relieve our commuter woes. That is the everyday issue affecting North Shore residents, but a far more threatening and compelling concern is the strategic vulnerability of relying on one aging, and already inadequate, north-south transport route to our ports, railways and vital social services.

The truth is North Shore City is far too reliant on a single harbour crossing. Don’t think disaster can’t happen – it can and, in other parts of the world, has. I strongly support the need to get a second harbour crossing under way immediately. It will take a decade of careful planning and construction -- but will not avert the transport crisis already at hand. In the short-term we need to continue to provide more effective public transport solutions such as the bus-way.

I freely admit the problems associated with financing the project, and the potential social dislocation, are daunting, but the prospects of failing to act now, are more disturbing. We must find the political will to see it through.

Issue 2: Revitalising Browns Bay

We have a unique opportunity to greatly enhance the Browns Bay commercial area and beachfront, and perhaps more importantly, to construct something of social significance for future generations.

The Browns Bay Centre Plan, which was adopted by Council last term, is a vision for the revitalisation of the Browns Bay commercial and beachfront area -- in a way that will be compatible with the public beach reserve. The work on developing the Boardwalk along the beachfront is complete but some key directions still need to be determined.

I firmly believe that we need to bring together landowners, residents and Council, in partnership, to once and for all find consensus over the future form of what is effectively the “jewel in the Bays’ crown”.