03 February 2022
Official Information Request No. 8140009806
(Please quote this in any correspondence)
Iain Palmer
[FYI request #17736 email]
Dear Iain
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Re: support for rail heritage groups
I refer to your email, which we received on 27 November 2021 and subsequent refinement on
14 January 2022, requesting information about support for rail heritage groups.
I have liaised with our Grants and Incentives Manager and our Team Leader Heritage
Information in relation to your request. For clarification, we have interpreted the word ‘support’
to pertain to financial assistance.
1. What public good activities in the 2020 financial year did Auckland Council undertake
in support of the various rail heritage groups with its Region? There are a number of
other rail heritage groups within the Auckland boundary, how has Auckland Council
supported them? These include;
- Auckland Dock line Tram
- Glenbrook Vintage Railway
- Helensvil e Railway Station Trust
- Railway Enthusiasts Society Inc
Our experts have found the following rail heritage groups may be operating within the
Auckland region:
• Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand
• Glenbrook Vintage Railway
• The Railway Enthusiasts Trust
• The MOTAT groups (Western Springs Railway, Western Springs Tramway and the
Dockline Tram)
• Helensvil e Railway Station Trust
• Auckland Electric Tramways Company Ltd
• Waitakere Tramline Society (closed 2014 and managed by Watercare)
• Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust
• Papatoetoe Railway Station Preservation Trust
• Swanson Railway Station Trust
• Auckland Society of Model Engineers Incorporated (models)
• Manukau Live Steamers (small gauge)
• Heritage Trams for Henderson Society Inc
• Whangapararoa Narrow Gauge Railway
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
We have compared the above list against applications to council’s community grants
programme, to see what, if any, applications were made to council for funding. The results are
as follows:
• Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand – no applications have been received.
• Glenbrook Vintage Railway – an application was received in the 17/18 financial year
and two applications in 19/20.
• The Railway Enthusiasts Trust – no applications have been received.
• The MOTAT groups (Western Springs Railway, Western Springs Tramway and the
Dockline Tram). Al identified grants come under the Auckland Electric Tramways
Trust or Remuera Railways Station Preservation Trust.
• Helensvil e Railway Station Trust – an application was received in 13/14 and one in
15/16.
• Auckland Electric Tramways Company Ltd – an application was received for 17/18;
four applications in 18/19; one application in 19/20; and one application in 20/21. The
application in 20/21 was successful and a grant awarded.
• Waitakere Tramline Society (closed 2014 and managed by Watercare) - no
applications were received.
• Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust – three applications were received in
19/20 and one application in 20/21. The application in 20/21 was successful and a
grant awarded.
• Papatoetoe Railway Station Preservation Trust – only one application was received
in 14/15.
• Swanson Railway Station Trust - no applications have been received.
• Auckland Society of Model Engineers Incorporated (models) - no applications have
been received.
• Manukau Live Steamers (small gauge) - no applications have been received.
• Heritage Trams for Henderson Society Inc - no applications have been received.
• Whangapararoa Narrow Gauge Railway - no applications have been received.
2. Furthermore, what is Councils policy in relation to both supporting and engaging with
these rail heritage groups?
Auckland Council does not have a specific policy in relation to supporting and engaging with
rail heritage groups. Therefore, the information pertaining to this question has been refused
under Section 17 (e) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act -
that the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or, despite
reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found. However, Auckland Council provides various
forms of support to community groups. On our website there is the section cal ed “Grants,
Community Support & Housing” which may be of some assistance. For ease of reference, I
have passed this below;
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/grants-community-support-housing/Pages/default.aspx
Decisions pertaining to the withholding of this information have been made by
Morna
Macfarlane - Acting Group Treasurer.
Should you believe Auckland Council has not responded appropriately to your request, you
have the right by way of complaint, under section 27(3) of the LGOIMA, to apply to the
Ombudsman to seek an investigation and review of the decision.
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
If you have any further queries please contact me on 09 301 0101 quoting Official Information
Request No. 8140009806.
Yours sincerely
Grace Ray
Senior Privacy & Official Information Business Partner
Governance Services
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101