At GETBA’s recent Annual General Meeting your committee was re-elected for the coming year. We appreciate the faith that members have in us to represent your interests and govern the affairs of the association responsibly. The 2012-2013 annual report and audited financial statements were presented and adopted at the AGM, as were the 2013-2014 business plan and budget, and indicative budget for 2014-2015. The committee determined there will be no increase to the targeted rate over these two years, and we will continue to deliver services that provide a return on your target rate investment.

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly the end of 2013. It has been a busy year monitoring the myriad of Council plans and changes. We have made six submissions on your behalf during the year, with consultation on-going with regard to stormwater and the next stage of the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. Project work is on-going and we are planning the programme of informative events, forums and workshops for the coming year.

I’m sure after such a busy year that we all value the chance to take time over the coming holiday period to refresh ourselves in the sun with family and friends. I wish you a merry Christmas and happiness and success in 2014.

Richard Poole

I have now been in the role as Chair of the GETBA committee for a year, having been a committee member for the previous five years. The main aim of the committee is to provide guidance to the GETBA team to enable our 2000+ members to realise value from the range of services which GETBA provides.

This range of services has grown steadily over the past three years since the establishment of the Business Improvement District partnership programme, with the introduction in the last year of new initiatives including Property Owners Forums, pilot ANPR camera project, work towards a much improved website, as well as close liaison with Auckland Council on many issues impacting on business, including wastetwater charges, transport, rating and planning.

During a recent survey of our members as part of the development of the 2013-2016 GETBA Strategic Plan, the most common request was the need to be kept up to date with the myriad of Council policies and changes as well as future planning that will affect their business. This is no easy task, and yes, it is a pivotal role of GETBA. Via our new-look website, newsletters, breakfasts and seminars, GETBA is providing this critical communication link to our members, with the website becoming the key initial point of contact.

We have the Annual General Meeting coming up on 3 October. I encourage members to attend as in addition to the usual agenda items the Committee is proposing three Special Resolutions to adopt amendments to the Association’s Constitution. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Richard Poole

Auckland Council seems to have been in planning mode since the inception of the Super City. The latest is the draft Unitary Plan. There has ben a strong media focus on the residential response to intensification, and this reflects the ‘residential focus’ of the Plan. We are concerned that weight will be given to residential issues during the feedback process.

Our concern is that without adequate planning provision for light and heavy industrial businesses, Auckland won’t be able to support the employment needs of its future population or efficiently distribute goods/services to provide for their needs.

Some 70 business and property owners attended our Unitary Plan Forum and raised issues including the scarcity of industrial land, subdivision sizes needing to allow for smaller lot sizes, unduly restrictive air quality overlays and electricity transmission buffer corridors, and the lack of integration of transport and land use.

We hired consultant lawyer Grant Hewison (in collaboration with five other commercial industrial associations), to undertake a full analysis and prepare a feedback document to ensure that the voice of industrial areas is heard. You can find a copy under GETBA Submissions in the Advocacy section.

We at GETBA are also in planning mode, reviewing the current Strategic Plan and developing the new Strategic Plan for the next five years. We’re very grateful to those business and property owners who have contributed to our strategic planning process in the online survey, focus groups or on-on-one meetings with our consultants. We look forward to sharing the results with you.

Richard Poole

As the economy slowly gains some momentum there are some positive signs from our East Tamaki members, although it depends very much which sector you happen to be in. Construction related businesses are seeing a lift, however, many service industries are finding it tough as are many exporters as the New Zealand dollar shows no sign of slowing its upward trend.

What was the government thinking even contemplating the application of fringe benefit tax on employee paid car parks in Auckland and Wellington CBDs? It was good to see the proposed laptop and iPad tax ruled out by the Prime Minister as well. It would have been just another business compliance cost!

On the other hand a positive recent government initiative is the Apprenticeship Re-boot scheme. Now underway it aims to rapidly increase the number of apprentices by providing some serious subsidy incentives and removing the age restriction criteria that previously applied. The first 10,000 new apprentices enrolling will get $1,000 towards their tolls and off-job costs, or $2,000 if they are in priority construction trades. The same amount will also be paid to their employers. It’s a very positive and welcome move.

Richard Poole

This year will be an interesting one with the government taking on some tough issues and pushing through changes which they hope will put them in good stead for 2014, election year.  State asset sales are a biggie.  From a business perspective, don’t expect a partially privatised power company to give you lower electricity prices.

On the home front here at GETBA, we have been busy on several issues: three in particular, being wastewater charges, transmission corridors and transport.

Wastewater – basically, the various previous charging regimes are being replaced by one new regime, and the proposed options have been communicated to members and a submission made to Watercare on behalf of members. Our calculations show that nearly all options result in increases, especially for high wastewater users, and Watercare is talking directly to them.  We have recommended phased implementation of the tariff changes, and the phasing out of the business differential within five years.

The Transmission Corridor issue involves new regulations for development under high voltage power lines, which will be included in the Draft Unitary Plan, due for release for consultation in March.  We have communicated the issue to members and outlined what actions can be taken, working with another business precinct to leverage their experience. More about this on the website.

Transport in Auckland is a large complex issue and Auckland Transport have developed travel planning initiatives aimed at reducing single occupancy vehicles commuting to and from work. These include car pooling and public transport, for example, and making best use of technology and the internet to develop these.  GETBA have taken these further and we are in the process of working with our members, particularly larger companies to facilitate the best application of these initiatives, tailored for each business and their staff.

Back to central government – an ongoing issue for many is the high NZ dollar, with no sign of relief.  Opinion on whether the government can or should intervene, varies widely, but it seems unlikely that they will and that the NZD will remain high for some time yet.

Don’t forget to visit our website regularly to keep up to date with all that is happening in East Tamaki and how we at GETBA can help you.

Richard Poole