Promise

Outcomes

Restoring our Natural Environment

Greater pest control

With Cr Celia Wade-Brown have increased resources, approved a comprehensive biodiversity action plan. Officers are working with Makara landowners on my aim to eliminate goats, pigs and deer from the area. Ongoing possum control including possum free Miramar peninsula.

Outer Green Belt progress

Purchase of Otari farm land from Meridian in 2006 completed the link from South Coast to Johnsonville.

Khouri Avenue landswap completed adding land north of Makara Road saddle to the OGB.

Ongoing work to add Crows Nest (Ngaio) to the OGB.

Better tracks

Against considerable resistance from councillors Celia and I this year got 10 years budget for new track development/ track upgrades across the city.

Skyline walkway connection completed above Karori !! Ongoing track development at Makara Peak.

Marine reserve

After 10 years the Kupe/Kevin Smith Marine Reserve on our South Coast has been approved and will be gazetted in November this year.

Frigate sinking

The Wellington (F69) was sunk in 2005 watched by an estimated 150,000 people. Despite subsequently breaking into 3 it is an attractive and popular dive destination, and is providing habitat for fish and is covered in plant life. Promoter Marco Zeeman was Wellingtonian of the year.

Overnight coastal walkway.

Landowners wanted to wait for Wind Farm decision – can now resume discussions

Environmental Education initiative

Will be part of Climate Change response. I’d like to use art works on the waterfront to provide information too.

New Sanctuary Visitor Centre

Government’s $6.5 million investment, together with Council support and additional fundraising means construction starts in January ! It’s expected to be complete in July 2009. Visitor facilities throughout the valley are also being improved.

Looking after your money

Opposing poor quality spending

This is an uphill battle with the current Council, but I’ve had some wins such as stopping spending $600,000 per house on a redevelopment proposal.

I take the consistent approach to test any spending proposal that comes before us.

Development Planning

Big picture Regional Strategies

Wellington Regional Strategy adopted after 2 years work by all the Councils of the region. New Regional Economic Development agency established replacing the Wellington City dominated Positively Wellington Business.

Dealing with poor quality infill

Plan Change 56 notified in May 2007 after 18 months of research work by officers and work with me as Urban Development Portfolio leader. It is having immediate impact on developments with infill proposals now being put through a greater degree of scrutiny. At present I’m monitoring about a dozen on behalf of residents. Most are either being held pending more information, or have been scaled back, or are being notified to affected parties.

This is not about preventing development, but it is about making sure that any development that has significant adverse effects on neighbours is scrutinised and thoroughly tested. I am aware that some 40 -50 have been withdrawn by developers when they realise that they simply weren’t up to scratch. I make no apologies for that.

Better protection for heritage and vegetation

Heritage rules strengthened under Plan Change 43 and additional buildings and areas listed under Plan Changes 53 and 58.

Development contributions regime to ensure developers contribute appropriately towards infrastructure and reserves

In place for 2 years – saving ratepayers over $2 million to date.

Inner City Greening and Pocket Parks

Aotea Quay planting – came in under budget and looks great.

Many smaller greening projects around the city.

West Courtenay Park supported.

Glover Park upgrade. To be honest I’m not convinced this is working well yet and remains underutilised. More active buildings around it will help in due course.

Transport

Supporting public transport

Johnsonville line secure after Northern Passenger Transport study.

Indicative bus lane plans agreed,

I’m continuing to advocate for a thorough investigation of  light rail

I’m continuing to advocate for improvements such as real time information.

The Quality Partnership relationship is a positive way of Council working with Greater Wellington and PT operators.

Targeting urban development close to PT and services is my concept which has been adopted by Council.

Safer Roads

This has been controversial. Some people love it, some hate it. There are components I personally would have done differently. I’m particularly keen that we protect the areas around schools and pre-schools.

Regardless of controversy I promised you I’d support the concept and have done so. Some other councillors have inconsistently supported some elements and not others. Several suburbs have been addressed. The initial results are that the safer roads programme is reducing crashes where the trend in other suburbs is for an increase in crashes. I’ve been asked by more people for new safety interventions than those unhappy with what has been done.

Lower speed limits for Makara-Ohariu

Done as requested by the community.

Caring for our Community

Karori Park redevelopment

Karori Park reopened in May. I was the councillor involved in driving the project from beginning to end, and organised what was a great opening day.

It’s a great venue, and hugely popular for causal recreation for all ages.

Drainage work on the fields needs improving and some more planting is happening.

I’m also keen to develop a picnic area, children’s mountain bike area, more tracks, and the Medical Centre and Rotary are developing a fitness trail. I’d like to get a couple more apparatus at the playground for younger children.What about petanque near the clubrooms ?

As Secretary of the Karori Park Sports I’ve also done the fundraising for the clubroom redevelopment (no Council money), and worked with the committee to upgrade our building. I sorted out the resource consent for the café, which is proving very popular.

Looking ahead the Park will be increasingly attractive for events, cricket, football, and all sorts of recreation – and relaxing and watching from the café.

Stage 2 of Heart of Karori Project

Final part of landscaping starts this month (at last !)

I’m keen to beautify the town square.

The next stage is a new hall beside the Community Centre.

The remaining challenges include what we do with the St Johns building on the corner of Campbell St and Karori Road which has significant deferred maintenance costs, and what we can achieve with the petrol station.

Further improvements to Otari

Involvement in Project Kaiwharawhara. Track upgrades, planting, fish ladders, new toilets and revamp of Troup Picnic area.

Better playgrounds

Upgrade programme continued including Wilton, Wadestown, Homebush Park. Next ones due are Katherine Mansfield Park (Thorndon) and Creswick Tce (Northland)

Ngaio and Crofton village upgrades

Done

Improvements to Nairnville Rec Centre

Done

Upgrade to Khandallah village centre and old Town Hall in Ganges Road

Consultation happening this financial year, implementation next year.

Completing the green belt above Ngaio

Continuing discussions on Crows Nest.

Plan Change 61 notified regarding Huntleigh Park Bush in September. I moved successful recommendation that would prevent damage to highly significant ecological areas. (reduced number of new dwelling sites from 6 to 3)