The local body elections get under way later this month and former North Shore City mayor (and current local board chair) George Wood is leading a strong ticket of five people for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Two on George’s team, who aren’t existing local board members, are Ian Revell and Gavin Busch, both are well known in the community. Channel Magazine put some questions to Ian and Gavin in mid-August about their reasons for standing and why they deserve your vote.
Channel Magazine: What made each of you put your names in the hat for election?
Gavin Busch: I have lived on the Shore for the past 19 years and been active in the local community during this time. What is apparent is that prior to the super city our local area was better served by its elected representatives who had more power and ability to get things done. I am not a natural politician, I don’t have a barrel to push or interest to serve, but like a lot of people I am frustrated that the past nine years have seen little progress on a number of important issues, with some of our Local Board members putting their own interests ahead of our communities'. The last election saw Jenn, Mike and George get on the Board and they have made tangible progress in a number of areas. This time around there are two incumbents not standing and I would like the opportunity to bring my skills and connections to the table to help them continue to make real progress.
Ian Revell: The Board has a great deal of unfinished business to complete, and a divided board from the last election did not make it easy to move forward, until George Wood took the chairmanship 18 months ago and was able to use his casting vote to enable the Board to achieve significant gains for our area. George and the other two Board members Mike Sheehy and Jenn McKenzie need Gavin's and my support on the elected board to make the seamless progress needed.
Channel Magazine: What key issues are facing the Devonport-Takapuna area that you are keen to address when elected?
Ian Revell: I see the main issues as including: critical Lake Road improvements requiring Fullers to commit to more reliable timetables; making haste with the central (car-park) Takapuna development to inject much needed life to the heart of Takapuna; settling legal issues on the Milford to Takapuna walkway; improving water quality at our beaches, including more work on the Wairau Creek which can negatively affect Castor Bay and Milford Beaches; establishing a board walk on the estuary; the urgent completion of the repair of the Kennedy Park to North Beach steps, and the historic house upgrade there; major improvements (catchup) to parks and reserve infrastructure in Forrest Hill and Sunnynook; and last but not least – to demand that our elected Councillors vote to return a much fairer share of our rates, to be spent in this area.
Gavin Busch: In Devonport I would like to see the start of the improvements to Lake Road, further discussions with Housing New Zealand on their developments and work with Ngati Whatua on the impact of their plans on the local roads. Getting the Narrow Neck Pump Park up is also important to provide for the local youth. In Takapuna I would like to get further work on the beach area including the stormwater and walkway to Milford. The Milford estuary also needs to be looked at and work started on this. Finally the Sunnynook community should have better connections to the Northern Bus-way. With a sizable retired and immigrant community we need to ensure their voices are heard and improvements made to their facilities.
Channel Magazine: Gavin, you have a background of involvement in the community – Rotary, Devo Food and Wine Festival, St Leo’s School – and have a strong understanding of finance and governance. What are the key things you can offer to the local board if elected?
Gavin Busch: You’re right in that I do bring a strong connection to the local community on the peninsula as well as with businesses in Takapuna, but I also bring a positive attitude that wants to see real progress. I believe we need to listen to the community but not get held hostage to a vocal minority or by interest groups. I take a no nonsense approach and believe only through working constructively and positively with our elected councillors and officers we can improve our area. You can have all the qualifications in the world but unless you can talk, negotiate and work with people you will get nowhere and this is what’s been missing for so long.
Channel Magazine: Ian, you’ve had a great deal of experience in politics, previously being a local National member of Parliament. Does this experience stand you in good stead for the local board?
Ian Revell: Having served for nearly 10 years as a North Shore Electorate MP - of course dealing with a host of local issues – I believe I am well qualified to serve as an elected Board member, and know how to progress issues and source funding including at national level. I want to give back to the community that supported me for so long.
Channel Magazine: Why should Channel Magazine readers vote for Gavin Busch, Ian Revell and the other members of the George Wood team?
Team George Wood are a progressive, experienced and articulate group combining youth and diversity, current leadership in the voluntary community sector; previous mayoral and super city council experience, solid business experience, and national political service. Much more funding is needed from central government toward rail, bus and roading (Harbour Bridge) infrastructure, and for the significant costs of preparing bare land for housing – a burden that our over-taxed ratepayers simply can’t manage. Team George Wood will listen and get the job done.
Visit: www.teamgeorgewood.org.nz
