Mayor's 100-days list picks up a few extra events

Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Photo / Greg Bowker

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is making no apologies for claiming events outside his control as part of his "100 projects in 100 days" marathon, saying his involvement brings gravitas and profile to them.

Mr Brown's appearance at several Rugby World Cup events, KiwiRail's business case for the inner-city rail loop and the opening of the Orakei Basin boardwalk are among the list of 52 projects listed 79 days into the 100-day programme.

Not surprisingly, the first Mayor of the Super City has called for reports, studies and plans into everything from free swimming pools to an update of the city's theatre needs and a review of bus lanes.

Then there are advisory panels for business, youth, Pacific Island and ethnic groups and the rural centre.

His well-flagged weekly Mayor in the Chair idea to get out into the community is on the list, but he has managed only three outings, to Aotea Square, Helensville and Takapuna.

Mr Brown has also made a big deal about opening the books, which led to a proposed rates rise of no more than 4.9 per cent next year.

But Aucklanders have still to find what the transition costs were and how much more will be spent on merging the eight former councils into the Super City.

Work on these costs would be issued as part of next year's budget, he said.

The most visible progress has been work on cleaning the Yates Building in Central Auckland of graffiti.

Mr Brown said that when he began "100 projects in 100 days" on November 1 he made it clear the projects could be small, medium or large, could be starting, in progress or close to completion.

He acknowledged many of the projects were in progress in one form or another, but his involvement raised their profile.

"Others such as the single ticket and the CBD rail link are key planks of my mayoralty and I am determined to advance those projects early in the council term. You have a look through that list and there is a massive sea change that is being indicated to Auckland and its future. Some of the initiatives will take years to deliver."

Mr Brown said each project was part of a jigsaw that would make up the delivery of his vision to make Auckland the most liveable city in the world, and there was much more to come.

BROWN'S 'SO FAR' LIST

1. Cruise ship terminal options study
2. RWC 2011 schools programme
3. Study into web or broadcast of governing body meetings
4. Business advisory panel
5. Civil Defence preparedness test
6. Neighbourhood CD response plans
7. Civil Defence social media plan
8. Completion of Potter's Children's Garden
9. Mayor in the chair
10. Yates building clean-up
11. Theatre venue study
12. Opening the books
13. CCO strategy and appointments subcommittee
14. CCTV plan
15. CBD rail link business case
16. Traffic management integration
17. Integrated public transport ticketing
18. Kokako protection
19. Wynyard quarter
20. Sports and Recreation advisory panel
21. Anti-graffiti initiative
22. RWC 2011 training venues
23. RWC 2011 stadium walk-up
24. Gateway Plaza construction
25. Orakei basin boardwalk
26. Auckland Anniversary enhancement
27. Spatial plan initiation
28. Recommending the budget
29. Council structure announcement
30. Youth advisory panel
31. Regular engagement with local boards
32. CBD rail link route protection
33. Airport rail link designation
34. Auckland summit
35. CCO accountability
36. Pacific advisory panel
37. Opening up the town hall
38. Rural advisory panel
39. Otahuhu bus station upgrade
40. Destination strategy
41. Doubling public transport patronage
42. Alternative transport strategy
43. School transport programmes
44. Bus lane review
45. Free swimming pools feasibility study
46. Recreation and sport reference group
47. Disabled reference group
48. Saving the Suffrage memorial
49. Pre-governing body public forums
50. Regional governing body meetings
51. Monthly town hall meetings
52. Ethnic advisory panel