WCC needs a policy purge

By Frank Neill

Wellington City Council should follow what the government is doing and “purge policies that make only a small contribution,” says Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward Councillor Diane Calvert.

It should make the cuts in favour of policies that are more effective for the money and that are what Wellington needs right now.

“We can escalate fixing the pipes and land slip remediation, place on hold demolishing civic buildings, or slow down plans that aren’t going to deliver what’s expected and needed now (Let’s Get Wellington Moving),” Cr Calvert says.

“The funding arrangement for Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) is still only ‘indicative’ and the split between the three partners of Wellington City Council (WCC), Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) ultimately may well be different for each LGWM project.

“The partners have yet to agree on the final split and fully commit all the funding required.

“Given all the changes over the past two years, including recent government announcements, our partners are now reassessing their ability to contribute; if the benefits still stack up; and whether the actual plans are still viable and the most suitable in the current environment.

“WCC should do this too.

“Spending $125 million to rip up the Golden Mile to put a cycle lane in and restrict buses is not a priority.

“Get the buses working first and foremost.

“Support the vibrancy of our retail and hospitality sectors.

“It’s this that will make Wellington more resilient, reduce congestion and have a significant effect on reducing emissions.

“That’s the reality,” Cr Calvert says.

The plan to demolish the abandoned civic buildings would cost more than $10 million.

“Does this really have to happen now?” Cr Calvert asks.

“Why not save the interest and debt and wait. The buildings are safe enough in the meantime.

“That saving alone would help reduce the proposed rates rise and not leave an empty space in an already desolate space,” Cr Calvert says.

As well as making cuts, WCC also needs to look at spending on infrastructure, she notes.

“In 2021, Wellington Water asked the council for an extra $10 million a year to help fix the pipes over and above what was agreed upon.

“WCC management advised back then ‘…it is not our preferred option because we do not yet have sufficient information to properly cost and direct our investment’.

“They’ve said the same thing again this time despite the council coughing up the extra money that was previously requested over the past two years (outside of budget).

“Additional funding for fixing the pipes could be provided subject to monitoring processes and agreements in place, just like for any other contract.

“Why not be transparent and build it into the budget now?

“Maybe it’s because an additional 2% on a 13% rates increase is unpalatable –