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OUR WORK
including new projects for 2008/09
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Our urban development work includes enhancing the waterfront and city and
suburban centres, developing public spaces such as urban parks and squares,
looking after heritage sites, assessing and issuing building and resource
consents, ensuring earthquake-prone buildings are strengthened, and planning
for the city’s future development.
The significant growth expected in Wellington over the next 20 years creates
some challenges. We’re aiming to respond to those challenges in ways that are
sustainable and preserve the city’s special character.
A key priority through to 2009 and beyond is to improve land use and transport
by focusing development along a ‘growth spine’ stretching from Johnsonville
in the north, to the central city, and Newtown and Kilbirnie in the south.
Other priorities include improving the way we manage infill development in
residential areas, and improving the quality of the city’s urban design.
New proposal: heritage patent slip
The 17-tonne, 4.5 metre cog was the main driving wheel at the former Evans
Bay patent slip, which was Wellington’s main ship maintenance facility from
1872 until it closed in the early 1970s. When the slip was closed in 1985, the cog
was mounted on a concrete pad, where it remained until it was removed for the
recent redevelopment of Cog Park.
Now that redevelopment of the park is complete, we propose to restore the cog
and mount it on a concrete-and-wood platform – displaying the cog in a way
that will give an impression of how it would have looked in use.
The cog is nationally significant as a rare example of 19th century industrial
technology and a significant local landmark.
Budget: $122,000 capital spending in 2008/09.
New proposal: earthquake-prone buildings
For the past two years, we have been assessing older buildings in the city and
taking steps to deal with those identified as earthquake-prone – for example,
by requiring owners to carry out strengthening work. This work is legally
required, and involves assessment by engineers, liaison with building owners,
and sometimes efforts to enforce requirements to bring buildings up
to appropriate safety standards.
Our current budget for this work is $333,000 per year, ending in 2009/10. We’re
proposing to increase the budget and extend the project through to 2013/14 to
allow us to assess and deal with all of the city’s earthquake-prone buildings.
Budget: an additional $130,000 in 2008/09 and $465,000 per year over the
following five years.
New proposal: resource consent fees waiver on
heritage buildings
Heritage buildings add to the city’s character. Preserving them makes a difference
to the city’s appearance and to our sense of identity as Wellingtonians.
Heritage buildings are listed in our District Plan, which places restrictions on
demolition, renovation and other changes that might affect the building’s
heritage value.
To encourage restoration of heritage buildings, we provide grants to developers
and others to ensure that the restoration of heritage buildings and assets
contribute to the city’s character.
We are also looking at other ways to encourage conservation of heritage
buildings and acknowledge that protecting a heritage building by listing it in the
District Plan can impose costs on building owners by restricting what they can do
with the building.
For 2008/09, we are considering the option of waiving resource consent fees
on listed heritage buildings. We’d like to hear views on this proposal, on the
priority the Council should give to protecting heritage buildings, and on how the
Council can most effectively protect and enhance heritage buildings.
Budget: $50,000 per year.
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WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN 08/09
New proposal: resource consent monitoring
The District Plan contains restrictions on building and land use in the city.
These restrictions aim to prevent environmental harm, ensure developments
are appropriate for their surroundings (for example, buildings don’t breach
height restrictions), and protect neighbours from adverse effects such as noise
or water runoff.
When a proposed development isn’t permitted under the District Plan, the
owner or developer has to apply for a resource consent. When they’re granted,
resource consents often have conditions attached.
We’re proposing to employ extra staff to monitor compliance with resource
consents. This is necessary to keep up with the increased number and
complexity of consents that need monitoring. By monitoring compliance,
we can deal with non-compliance earlier, potentially heading off the need
for costly litigation.
Budget: additional salary costs will be recovered through resource consent fees.
New proposal: anti-graffiti squad
In 2007/08, we trialled an anti-graffiti squad tasked with eliminating graffiti
from the city’s public spaces and, if owners consent, also from private property
facing public areas. The squad also had the job of making certain areas
unattractive for graffiti, for example by installing murals. The squads work has
been a mixture of proactive and reactive. From July to December 2007, it dealt
with 600 complaints about graffiti. The squad also undertook ‘blitzes’ of graffiti
problem areas including parts of Island Bay, Newtown and Kilbirnie.
The costs and benefits of the trial are still being evaluated. We propose to
provisionally include funding in our 2008/09 budget to allow the anti-
graffiti squad to continue, with final decision to be made after the evaluation
is completed.
Budget: $225,000 for 2008/09.
TRANSPORT
We look after 670km of streets and roads, as well as footpaths, cycle lanes, traffic
signals, car parks and so on.
We also: support public transport through bus priority measures such as bus
lanes, letting buses go first at traffic lights, and providing bus shelters; work
suburb by suburb to improve traffic safety; and plan to ensure the city’s
transport network meets future needs.
Our transport system is generally performing well – Wellington’s streets are safe
by national standards, we’re relatively high users of public transport, and most
residents believe the city is easy to get around.
However, we do face challenges such as ensuring the transport network can
keep up with growing demand, and reducing harmful environmental effects
such as noise, water and air pollution.
For the period to 2009, key priorities include managing demand on the transport
network, advocating for investment in the city’s state highway network, further
developing our bus priority measures, and improving access to the port and
ferry terminals.
New proposal: access to Hataitai Park
We are proposing several changes to improve access to and through Hataitai
Park. The proposals include: traffic lights and pedestrian access at the main entry
at the intersection of Ruahine and Goa Streets, a reconfigured roading network
within the park, and increased parking. The proposals will make the park
more accessible for walkers/cyclists and for public transport, and reduce traffic
congestion within the park.
This proposal is consistent with the Ngauranga to Airport transport study, which
proposed traffic signals at the intersection of Ruahine and Goa Streets.
Budget: $350,000 capital spending in 2008/09, followed by a further 1.5 million
of capital spending over the following four years.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
We work to attract major events such as the World of WearableArt Awards
and the International Sevens. We also fund tourism promotions, and support
attractions such as Te Papa and conference venues such as the Wellington
Convention Centre.
To support businesses, we provide free weekend parking in the city and advocate
for the city’s interests to central and regional government and to the regional
economic development agency to grow Wellington.
Key economic development challenges are to make the city more internationally
competitive, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and lift Wellington’s
sustainable economic growth.
Priorities for the period to 2009 include: strengthening the city’s status as a
centre of creativity and innovation.
New proposal: online tourism marketing
People spend more and more time online, and are increasingly likely to use
online sources when they’re making travel decisions and buying tickets.
Positively Wellington Tourism is proposing to step up its online presence, turning
its website – www.wellingtonnz.com from a static site with an outdated
booking system to a fully interactive experience where users can research, plan
and book trips to Wellington and interact online with other visitors to the city.
The project includes a new online booking system, clearer links between
www.wellingtonnz.com and other Wellington tourism websites, and new
content and applications to integrate the site with online social media.
Budget: $519,000 in 2008/09, rising to $810,000 a year by 2015/16. This will be
funded from the downtown levy which is paid by central city businesses.
Positively Wellington Tourism is also seeking funding for two other initiatives:
• $81,000 per year increase to retain and attract Positively Wellington
Tourism staff
• $24,000 per year for an increase in fees for Positively Wellington
Tourism trustees.
ENVIRONMENT
We look after the city’s 34+ square kilometres of reserve land, as well as
beaches, coastline, and botanical gardens. We fund the Zoo and the Karori
Sanctuary, and work to develop other world-class nature-based visitor
attractions such as the Marine Education Centre.
We also: provide water supply, stormwater and sewage disposal; provide
recycling and waste disposal services; offer grants for environmental initiatives;
run the Kiwi Point Quarry; and promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
The environment is by far our biggest area of spending.
Though Wellington enjoys a stunning natural environment, we also face some
significant challenges. Like other cities, we need to find ways of becoming more
sustainable – to address broad issues such as climate change – by producing
fewer greenhouse gas emissions, dumping less waste, using resources such as
water and energy more efficiently, and protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.
Over the period to 2009, key priorities include promoting water and energy
efficiency, improving protection of streams, developing a coherent plan
to address biodiversity issues, and strengthening our partnerships with
stakeholders to increase environmental awareness, community participation,
and the achievement of environmental goals.
New proposal: Karori Sanctuary visitor centre
The Karori Sanctuary is planning a new ‘Gateway’ incorporating a visitor and
education centre, shop, café and conservation displays. The centre, to be funded
through Council and government loans, has been delayed by more than two
years – partly because it took the Sanctuary longer than expected to secure
government funding for the project, and partly because design work was held
up when a geotechnical survey found unexpected issues with the stability of a
bank behind the site.
The ‘gateway’ will provide the Sanctuary with additional revenue. The delay
means the Sanctuary needs operational funding to sustain its current operations
until the gateway opens.
Budget: $300,000 in 2008/09 and $700,000 in 2009/10.
New proposal: pest and weed control
Our Biodiversity Action Plan aims to protect and enhance biodiversity by
providing habitat for native plants and bird life, restoring and preserving streams
and other ecosystems, and planting.
A key part of this work is our Pest Management Plan – in which we work to get
rid of weeds and pest animals such as possums, rabbits, and goats and ferrets
from key native ecosystems and other areas of land across the city. In this work,
we are supported by the efforts of thousands of community volunteers.
We’re proposing to commit additional funding for the next seven years to
implement the Pest Management Plan. Our current budgets provide just
over $750,000 a year to implement the plan. Additional funding is needed.
We’re proposing to increase the total budget to $832,000 in 2008/09, rising over
several years to reach $1 million in 2014/15.
Deferring this funding would be likely to lead to damage to native plants
and wildlife, and lead to a requirement for more costly restoration work and
remedial weed and pest control in future years.
Budget: additional funding of $74,000 in 2008/09 and $132,000 in 2009/10 with
further increases through to 2015/16.
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WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN 08/09
CULTURAL WELL-BEING
We fund the city’s popular art galleries and museums, operate Toi Poneke – the
Wellington Arts Centre, and support the NZ International Arts Festival, the St
James Theatre and the NZ Symphony Orchestra.
We also provide cultural grants, support community events and festivals, and
run the City Archives.
Wellington’s arts and culture scene is thriving. Our key goal is to maintain this
strength, and to ensure that all Wellingtonians can participate in the city’s
cultural life.
Over the period to 2009, our key priorities include: protecting and enhancing
local ‘sense of place’; enhancing the area at the top of the Cable Car;
strengthening our partnerships with arts organisations; and engaging more
effectively with grass-roots arts and culture communities.
New proposal: National Arts Festival for Children
Capital E’s National Arts Festival for Children, held every two years, is a fortnight-
long programme of dance, drama, music, story-telling, puppet theatre, circus
and more.
Since it was first held in 2003, the festival has become an integral part of
Wellington’s arts calendar. Last year, it attracted a total audience of 38,000.
Despite its popularity, the festival is not currently part of Capital E’s core
programme. Capital E therefore does not have any ongoing funding to run it.
We propose to provide ongoing funding for the festival. The majority of the
festival’s $450,000 budget will come from other sources including box office,
community grants/sponsorship, and Creative New Zealand grants.
Budget: $100,000 in 2008/09, and $50,000 a year thereafter.
New proposal: a world-class film scoring stage for
Wellington
Wellington is the centre of New Zealand’s film industry and has many world-
class film-making facilities, but one important facility the city lacks is a studio
where orchestras can record film scores.
We are working with the St James Theatre and other partners on a proposal to
fill that gap in the city’s film infrastructure by establishing an orchestral studio
and scoring stage.
A scoring stage could provide cultural and economic benefits by attracting film
scoring work for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and attracting additional
work for Wellington film post-production facilities.
It could also become a permanent rehearsal base for the NZSO, freeing up the
Michael Fowler Centre for other uses. The orchestra currently uses the Michael
Fowler Centre 90 days a year.
Preliminary work indicates that a scoring stage would cost about $22 million to
build. We expect that this will be funded from other sources, with us providing
resources for feasibility studies and concept development, and possibly also
providing land.
Budget: $70,000 for design, economic impact assessment and business
plan costs.
CLIMATE CHANGE
We’re proposing some small but potentially significant steps towards
carbon neutrality.
Promotion of sustainable building
Significant amounts of energy are used in the city’s homes and buildings – to
run appliances, heat water, and provide lighting and heating. Many buildings
would benefit from design features such as better insulation, renewable
energy technology such as solar water heating, and better design to make use
of the sun’s warmth. We’re proposing to offset building consent fees for new
buildings that make use of sustainable building features such as these.
Budget: $30,000 a year for the next three years.
Household travel survey
One effective way of reducing Wellington’s carbon emissions is to shift from
private cars to other forms of transport, such as buses, trains, cycles, and
walking. Though Wellingtonians are already high users of public transport on
a national level, almost half of us still use our cars to get to work.
To encourage greater use of other forms of transport, we first need to
understand the reasons for Wellingtonians’ current transport choices and what
barriers there might be to change. We’re proposing to gather this information
through a comprehensive survey, which will inform our long-term planning
on transport including efforts to encourage cycling and walking.
Budget: $155,000 during 2008/09 for a comprehensive survey of
Wellingtonians’ transport use, with the Council funding $75,000 and Land
Transport NZ $80,000.
Wind farm at Southern Landfill
Carey’s Gully, the site of the Southern Landfill, has potential as a wind farm
for several reasons. The site has a similar wind profile to the Brooklyn wind
turbine. There is electricity transmission infrastructure in the gully, and private
sector interest in building a wind farm there. And wind technology has
developed to a point where it is not only environmentally sustainable but also
cost-effective way to generate electricity.
Before going any further, we need to do more investigation to determine
whether a wind farm is technically and commercially viable, whether a wind
farm would comply with planning and other laws, and what the appropriate
business model might be.
Budget: $50,000 in 2008/09 for a feasibility study.
Converting sewage into LPG or electricity
The Council late last year decided not to continue to compost sewage sludge
at the Southern Landfill. Reasons included smell from the composting
plant, cost, lack of market for the compost, and the emergence of new and
potentially more sustainable ways to deal with the sludge.
We’re now planning to investigate options for future disposal of sewage
sludge. Installing a bioreactor plant to convert sewage to electricity or LPG
is one of the options that will be considered. Another is a joint Wellington-
Porirua sewage drying plant.
Budget: $50,000 in 2008/09 to investigate options.
We have also set some new carbon emission reduction targets for the
Council and the community. For more information on these please see
Energy efficiency and conservation in the detailed section of this plan.
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WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN 08/09
SOCIAL AND RECREATION
We provide homes for people whose needs are not met by state housing or
the private housing market, fund projects to help homeless people, support
community organisations, and provide community centres and halls.
We also work to protect public health and safety through projects such as
monitoring the city centre, banning liquor consumption in public in parts of the
city, licensing food and liquor outlets, animal control, regulating other public
health risks, providing toilets and cemeteries, and preparing the city to deal with
emergencies such as earthquakes.
Our recreation work includes: providing libraries, playgrounds, swimming pools,
recreation centres, sports fields and marinas; running recreation programmes;
and reducing the costs of using sport and recreation facilities for people who
have community services cards.
Key challenges include providing for a population that is growing in size and
diversity, and catering for a wider range of recreation activities.
Over the period to 2009, priorities include increasing the value of community
facilities to their communities, promoting social cohesion and sound social
infrastructure, and promoting participation in sport and recreation, particularly
for youth.
New proposal: City safety and Courtenay Place
We are proposing to implement a five-year vision for Courtenay Place
and surrounding streets, which will improve safety and address alcohol-
related issues while helping the precinct to continue as the city’s premier
entertainment district.
The vision includes: a wider range of venues and more outdoor café seating;
and a streetscape which accommodates late-night crowds while also providing
for daytime and evening activities such as dining, movies, street theatre, live
music and markets; and steps to address safety issues and reduce alcohol-
related harm.
Specific proposals include:
• a 24/7 central city liquor ban and more Walkwise officers at key times
• installation of three new closed circuit TV cameras in Courtenay Place
and two in other parts of the central city
• upgraded street lighting and a late-night taxi stand and queuing system
• summer concerts in Courtenay Place Park and conversion of heritage toilet
into storage and dressing rooms for events
• redevelopment, over the next few years, of the Courtenay Place streetscape
• implementation of bus priority measures.
Budget: additional capital spending in 2008/09 of $200,000 for street lighting,
$140,000 for closed circuit TV , $50,000 for conversion of heritage toilets and
$30,000 for a 24/7 liquor ban, and operational spending of $90,000 a year for
Walkwise officers, $107,000 to operate the closed circuit TV system, $10,000 for
conversion of heritage toilets and $80,000 to designate Council staff to manage
the Courtenay precinct.
In the coming year we’ll consider the appropriateness of introducing targeted
rates where services are applied in a particular area above the level provided
elsewhere in the city.
New proposal: Nairnville Park artificial surface
Nairnville Park is a recreation ‘hub’ for northern Wellington with three sports
fields, a recreation centre, playground, skateboard ramp and netball court. High
levels of use have harmed the turf on the sports fields: in the past two seasons,
fields have had to close a number of times to allow turf to recover.
We’re proposing to install artificial turf on the park’s upper sports field. The
surface would be floodlit. Installing artificial turf would:
• allow use to increase significantly
• allow for use in all weathers
• provide a better quality playing surface
• be cost effective – despite the installation costs, artificial turf costs less
per hour of use than natural turf
• help protect other Nairnville fields from over-use
• enable the recreation centre to provide new programmes.
Budget: $750,000 capital spending in 2008/09; ongoing spending of $20,000
for electricity/security.
New proposal: Basin Reserve practice wicket
The Basin Reserve is one of the country’s premier test cricket grounds. The Basin
Reserve Trust is seeking funding to build 11 practice wickets at the south-western
corner of the ground, behind the Sir Ron Brierley Pavilion. Building these
practice wickets would allow players to practice while a match is in progress, and
enhance the main field (where outdoor practice wickets are currently located).
While off-site practice wickets are not currently required at test cricket grounds, it
is likely they will be required in future. We are proposing to fund this during the
2009/10 year.
Budget: $450,000 in 2009/10.
New proposal: Pasifika Arts Festival
We held the inaugural Absolutely Positively Pasifika Festival in February 2008.
The festival acknowledges the important contribution Wellington’s Pacific
people make to the city’s vibrant community life and the success of the festival
has prompted calls for it to be held annually. We’re proposing to make the
Absolutely Positively Pasifika Festival to be an annual event.
Budget: $60,000 per year.
New proposal: a new floor for Thistle Hall
The first floor of Thistle Hall on Cuba Street needs to be replaced to bring it up to
appropriate safety standards. The hall has high levels of public use for dance,
tai chi and other activities. If a new floor is installed, other changes will also be
required under the Building Act, including installation of a lift and toilets.
2008/09 budget: $250,000 capital spending.
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GOVERNANCE
Our governance work includes running local elections, holding meetings of the
Council and its committees, producing policies and strategies to guide our work,
seeking feedback on our proposals from members of the public, producing
annual plans and annual reports to make ourselves accountable to residents,
engaging with Maori and stakeholder groups, and providing information about
our services and activities.
The key challenges we face are to increase participation levels and build trust
and confidence in civic decision-making.
Our priorities for the period to 2009 include improving the transparency and
quality of processes for public involvement in civic decision-making, and
increasing participation rates in democratic processes.
Review of our work programme
In the coming year, we’ll undertake a comprehensive review of our work
programme as we develop a new long-term plan for the city.
As part of this review, we’ll be taking a fresh look at issues likely to face the
city in the coming decade. We’ll seek public views on our work and the city’s
future direction. And we’ll ask for feedback on where to draw the line between
providing high quality services and ensuring those services are affordable.
The long-term plan will set a general direction for 10 years and a detailed
programme for three.
WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN 08/09
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ON THE HORIZON
The following projects will be considered for funding when we finalise
our annual plan in June:
• The owners of the Koura, a World War 2 patrol boat, have
approached us with a proposal for a partnership to upgrade the
historic Shipwrights Building and slipway at Shelly Bay. The building
would then be leased back to the owners for 10 years and the Koura
would be housed there, along with a small museum highlighting
Wellington’s wartime naval defence. While the proposal has potential
to focus attention on an often overlooked aspect of Wellington’s past,
any decision needs to be balanced against the costs involved and
potential future uses of Shelly Bay. We do not have a final budget for
this proposal but costs may include foregone rental on the building
and capital costs involved in upgrading the building and slipway.
• The current Khandallah community centre (Cornerstone) will not
be available after 2008. We are considering the option of using the
Khandallah Town Hall to house the community centre. Over coming
months, further work will be carried out to determine whether
community aspirations can be met while the hall’s heritage value
is preserved.
• The Crossways Trust is raising funds to buy the Crossways Community
House in Mt Victoria from the Presbyterian Church. The trust aims to
open a community kindergarten and crèche in the building while
continuing to provide community meeting space upstairs. It has set
fundraising targets to help it meet the expected $1.35-$1.6 million
price tag. Subject to those targets being met, we propose to contribute
funding to help the trust buy the house.
What’s your view?
Comment online www.Wellington.govt.nz,
email annual.plan@wcc.govt.nz, or send your views to
Draft Annual Plan, Wellington City Council, PO Box 2199, Wellington.