Linku2 Hibiscus Coast appreciate the contributions given by many by giving their time and/or expertise in helping shape our community into the great place it is.
Our feature this quarter is Janet Fitzgerald. Below we hear, in Janet's words, who she is, what drives her and what she does here on the Coast which helps shape our community.
Hi, my name is Janet Fitzgerald and I am a Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Member, Auckland Council.
I have lived and worked on the Coast all of my life and am passionate about our community and I have been on different community organisations giving back to the community.
My aim is to make our organisation at the Local Board a more inclusive diverse organisation while keeping the values of community.
I first got involved back in Rodney District Council days when we had a problem getting permission to do something. I attended meetings and found out how the system worked and then decided to stand for Council hoping to make a difference. I believe if you enable people to solve their issues by pointing them in the right direction they can then own the solution.
My biggest project has been Penlink and while I started the Penlink Now Team there have been others involved for some time. My thanks go to those people as a Team around you making a difference. Working with Councils, Central Government and all organisations is not an easy slog but thank goodness we are there and looking forward to Penlink starting in late 2022.
The most rewarding aspect of what I do is being able to help people and getting a result whilst the most frustrating and challenging aspect is the system. Nothing is easy and until you realise this it can be so frustrating so you have to learn the most positive way out for resolving things.
How has your organisation/project developed and what would you like to see in the future?
With regard to our development, Penlink started being discussed when we had 9,000 vehicles a day travelling along Whangaparaoa Road now there are over 30,000. When Penlink is built and ready to go in 2026, into the future I want to see a public transport system that people can use to get more cars off the road. Sometime into the future also a light rail system coming from the city would be a dream.
There is still public consultation to be had around Penlink and I would like as many people as possible to get involved. Tolling will be the next one. If people want to follow the Penlink project they should sign up for the newsletter at Waka Kotahi/Penlink website at www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/penlink