Shore council told to explain $10m spend-up

North Shore City's contentious spending spree, revealed by The Aucklander, is now being questioned, writes chief reporter Edward Rooney.
After revelations in The Aucklander and repeated criticism from residents and councillors, the Auckland Transition Agency has sent a "please explain" letter to North Shore City Council chief executive John Brockies.
The agency, which is overseeing the local body merger, is asking the council to justify splashing out on selected projects in the months before North Shore City vanishes into the new Auckland Council.
"The decision confirmation request says that the net effect is a loss of dividend income from NSC Holdings offset by lower interest from projects requiring debt funding," writes agency legal adviser Rob Fisher. "There are two issues with this."
The hot topic is the pending sale of a 3.8ha former works depot at Albany, estimated to be worth over $10 million.
From the proceeds, the council plans to fast-track projects such as:

• Hurstmere Green redevelopment and Visitor Centre relocation, Takapuna: $1 million
• Highbury Town Centre upgrade, Birkenhead: $1.5 million
• Sand replenishment at Little Shoal Bay and Halls Beach: $1.5 million
• Shore Exhibition Centre, Takapuna: $1.5 million
• North Harbour Stadium broadcasting and ticketing improvements: $425,000
• New footbridge for the Devonport-Takapuna walkway and green cycleway: $200,000
• Torpedo Bay walkway, Devonport (stage one); Sanders Reserve track, Paremoremo; and other walkway upgrades: $1 million
• Collins Park skateboard park, Greenhithe: $150,000
• Beach Haven Civic Square development: $750,000
• Birkenhead/Northcote community coordinator accommodation: $600,000
• ActivZone upgrade, Glenfield: $650,000
• Takapuna Aquatic Centre and Leisure Centre upgrades: $800,000
• New public toilets at Rosedale Park, Eskdale Reserve, Sunnynook Reserve: $1.5 million
• Purchase of some reserve land for bush protection: $1.2 million