Switching back to 100% growth focus (from balanced) because stonks (a meme spelling of “stocks” / “Shares”) only go up apparently.
I can’t make heads or tails of anything frankly as a lay person.
We’ve been in the longest ever secular bull market starting around 2008 Global Financial Crisis and don’t understand why there is so much overflowing optimism.
Something bad happens stonks go up
Something good happens stonks go up
Nothing particular happens stonks go up.
Fundamental analysis is dead and meaningless.
I think some of it can be attributed to easier and cheaper access to the stock market adding additional money flow into the market.
As an aside, I learn that my Facebook shareholding (now Meta Inc.) which I bought to try and take the edge off of burning disdain towards Facebook has since quadrupled in price since I rage-bought them. Yes, may be I should feel good, but I don’t. I’m jaded, just incredibly jaded to see their stock price so high.
Email I sent to Auckland Council back in March regarding my concerns over urban planning that continue to entrench a culture of car dependence, but never got a response.
Good Evening,
I apologies if this is not the right channel to provide this type of feedback on. (If this is not the right channel, please kindly direct me to the correct channel. Thanks)
I’m writing to relay a generalized concern I have as a ratepayer regarding urban planning in terms of intensification and the access to adequate transport links.
Have noticed several town house developments popping up in places such as Takanini, Papakura, Redhill, Flat bush, Ormiston (South) and Glen Eden, Kumeu (West) that is being established so far away from frequent Public Transport routes (2 km or more walking distance or only served by an infrequent bus route).
The issue this presents is that without easy access to well served public transport routes many residents will simply buy a car and then park it on often very narrow streets. Other than the issue of entrenching car dependency adding ever more private vehicles into an already (ridiculously) overloaded roading network, it also means emergency services are blocked or impeded and presents a safety issue for road users (of any transport mode) with so many cars parked on narrow streets and berms.
I ask, are the teams responsible for urban development and approving townhouse developments within Auckland Council actually liaising with the Likes of Auckland Transport to ensure these new Higher density neighbourhoods and developments are well served with easy access (less than 1 km walk) to frequent and reliable Passenger transport routes?
Thanks and regards,
Here is a screenshot of Auckland Transport’s Journey planning being unable to suggest services to get you to Flat Bush…
Very curious urban planning by the former Manukau City Council and allowed to continue under Auckland Council. Entrenchment of Car dependence as well as introducing further cars into the city’s constrained roading network.
Clicked the Give Feedback (in vain) and dashed this off in exasperation…
This won’t be solely AT’s fault obviously, but by golly, if the Council wants to encourage a transport modal change away from car dependency, their Urban planning department certainly isn’t helping matters. Swaves of Flat Bush. Large houses squashed on to small sections. Cars parked everywhere and about 30-40 minutes to the nearest bus stop! Is there a proper channel / department / person that I as an ordinary member of the public could raise my concerns to?
Why oh why are we approving new “Green fields” development so far away from Public Transport? 48 Minutes walk to Bremner Ridge St from the nearest bus stop???
Car dependent Urban sprawl of Flat Bush, Auckland. Planning like this ensures we will remain entrenched in car dependency for the foreseeable future.
It’s not just Flat bush either, but a lot of places across Auckland. Parts of Takanini, Red Hill, Kumeu are similarly affected. Very little in the way of established Public Transport, yet people are moving there, and when they move there, what are those residents going to do? You guessed it, they’ll likely buy a car, or two, or three and park any that won’t fit on the front lawn on the streets instead.
As an aside, seriously contemplating a possible move out of Auckland. Living here with it’s inadequate infrastructure (particularly surrounding transport) isn’t doing my mental health any favours. (Will keep the house and rent it out, in case at some point I want to come back)
