History
CCRG is a volunteer, non-profit, registered incorporated society with the purpose to provide a voice (as a policy lobbying & stakeholder group advocate ) for Auckland City Centre residents, and their interests and concerns, to Auckland Council and any other agency whose actions have an impact on us.
The City Centre area comprises approximately 433 hectares that sit within the motorway belt.
The City Centre/Pokapū Tāone is the core of the original 3000 acres of land allocated to the British Crown, on 18 September 1840, by Ngāti Whātua chief Te Apihai Kawau, via the process known as Tuku Whenua. (Tuku whenua involves granting the use of land for mutual benefit for both the home community and the settler who is granted its use).
The phrase 'City Centre' has replaced 'CBD' in the 2012 The Auckland Plan, to provide representation & better reflect & describe the range of users and occupants that now enjoy the city centre.
Why 'City Centre' , not 'CBD'?
It is understood that language is important - it can empower, and it can marginalise.
Using the term 'CBD' (Central Business District) effectively marginalises and excludes residents. The Council family officially adopted 'City Centre' this much more inclusive term, which of course includes the 40,000 or so people now living in the city centre, as well as everyone else A City Centre is where we all can live, work, play, visit, explore and get excited about as an influential centre of vibrant city life. 'CBD' - not so much.
There are around 21,400 residential SUIPs (separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit) that currently pay the CCTR (2020). Note that they may not all be dwellings as they could be carparks under their own titles. (There are around 500 of these types of SUIPs).
In 2012 the City Centre was divided in quarters, with plans developed for some quarters.
Waterfront Plan Aotea Quarter Karangahape Road
The CCMP 2020 refresh saw the city centre divided into modified zones
2020 City Centre Master Plan Geography
Somewhat confusingly, another set of precincts has been created
In 2004, Auckland Council adopted the "Auckland CBD Into the Future Strategy 2004-2014". The city centre residential population was then around 14,000.
To pay 80% of the costs involved in implementing this strategy, they set a targeted rate on both business & residential property owners within the city centre area.
For the year 2023/24 each apartment pays a rate of 69.25.
Also in 2004, Auckland Council, sought Expressions of Interest from residents wanting to form a resident group to represent residents' interests, & work with Council. A meeting was held in the city library, and in 2005 the CBD Residents Advisory Group was established.
Shed 10, Queen's Wharf
At much the same time, the Council established ACCAB - the City Centre Advisory Board (now ‘panel’) to engage directly with those affected stakeholders groups (such as Residents), who pay the targeted rate, plus other major stakeholder groups.
City Centre Residents are allocated two seats on that Board.
Since 2005 CCRG has had a regular track-record of participatory submissions in public consultation and before committees. Included are Auckland Council, (in particular, its Waitematā and Gulf Ward Councillor as well as the Waitematā Local Board whose territorial responsibilities includes the Auckland City Centre), as well as Auckland Council committees, strategies, planning, policies and actions affecting City Centre Residents, and the greater city.
The Auckland CBD into the Future Strategy has since been overtaken by the City Centre Master Plan (CCMP), a 20-year vision that sets the direction for the future of the city centre as the cultural, civic, retail and economic heart of the city.
There is general consensus that this has been a very successful capital development programme within the city centre and that the ACCAB has worked well with the respective Councils to achieve consensus around prioritising the different projects that make up the programme.
in 2016, the city centre targeted rate was extended for another ten years to 2026. As we also know, the number of residential units has also increased hugely - as of 2020 the estimated resident population has risen to 40,000.
In 2015, the group undertook a review, re-orientating its policies and direction and changing its name to the Auckland City Centre Residents' Group, under the acronym 'CCRG'.
Ferry Basin Kiosk
Structure
Membership - our members are what drives us & gives residents their voice
Full Individual Membership - open to anyone who lives within the boundaries of the Auckland City Centre, either as a tenant or an owner
Annual fee - $25Associate Membership - open to K Rd residents outside the City Centre Area but within the K Rd district (Map) Annual Fee $25
Affiliate Membership - open to any person or group, located within the Auckland Council area, wishing to support CCRG objectives
Annual Fee $50Student Membership - open to full time students living within the boundaries of the Auckland City Centre, either as a tenant or an owner
Annual fee - $10
CCRG is managed according to its CONSTITUTION by an annually elected committee.
Legal Roles of Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
General meetings are usually held monthly and are open to all members (who get to vote!) as well as other interested people in general. There are usually speakers on current relevant city centre topics.
image: David Roos 2017
Members also receive the monthly meeting agendas and minutes.
Recent Meeting Minutes can be found HERE