KEY POINTS:
Q. You campaigned against the proposed commercial airport at Whenuapai. Will you sanction spending ratepayers' money opposing it through the courts?
A. We won't need to because we'll prove the case that an airport should not proceed before any court action.
Q. You called for a new harbour crossing within a decade. What should it offer?
A. It should be a tunnel and designed and completed with rail in mind for the future, so there can be mass transit to the four compass points of the region. The North Shore busway is being designed for rail and I can see it extending as far north as Orewa.
Q. What result do you want for your council from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland Governance?
A. Three cities, one for north of the Harbour Bridge, one for the central Auckland isthmus and one for Counties-Manukau and Papakura. There could be some interlinking agency like the Auckland Regional Council to do transport and regional services.
Q. During the election you spoke of a "new positive direction" for the city. What is that?
A. To have more of a can-do council; more of a positive approach rather than a bureaucratic one; involve the community more.
Q. You promised to bring down rate rises to a reasonable level for 2008-09. How much and how can this be achieved?
A. I'm aiming for under 6 per cent, maybe under 5 per cent, instead of the 8-9 per cent that the previous council was projecting. We need to look at the priorities of projects, extending timeframes for some and cutting out some of the unnecessary things.
Q. North Harbour Stadium is keen to share in hosting 2011 Rugby World Cup games. Should ratepayers contribute towards improving facilities?
A. The council has done enough already by writing off the $30 million debt. The stadium has reasonable operating returns and high potential as one of the best multi-purpose stadiums, so with pro-active marketing it should not be a strain on ratepayers.
Q. Should North Shore support the Regional Amenities Bill and pay more towards, for example, the Auckland Zoo?
A. This bill is being forced on councils before we know the result of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland. Some things should come off the wish-list, such as the Auckland Theatre Company. Theatre and the arts are strong on the North Shore and we have the Bruce Mason Theatre - we don't have the mind to pay for Auckland City's arts.
Q. Polls show transport is the most important issue on the Shore. Some projects are under way but what more can be done?
A. We can make better use of existing road carriageways so there can be more transit lanes and bus lanes.
Q. Do you favour your council spending more money to expand the Long Bay Park?
A. Certainly. There is funding for land acquisition within a lower rates cap and we must achieve a better buffer zone between the park and urban development. I will be seeking to co-operate more with the ARC on this because this is one of the few regional parks close enough to large numbers of people across the region yet allows an escape from the urban environment.
Q. You support wharves for Takapuna and Browns Bay as gateways to the city. Should ratepayers pay for these?
A. I see opportunities for improved access from the sea but it would not be through council cost. It would be raised through trusts.
