Under Desley's leadership the Orakei Local Board has delivered significant investment in walkways, sportsfields, playgrounds and environmental projects to name but a few.
Her advocacy on Unitary Plan issues has also been significant, ensuring Coin Maiden Park was not terraced housing and apartments as first proposed in the Draft Unitary Plan and then advocating for democracy in the process Council followed when confirming its position to the Independent Hearings Panel.

She also successfully spearheaded the removal of sportsfield charges that were only in place for isthmus ward areas highlighting the inequality of these costs since the supercity was formed.