I want to begin by acknowledging first, our membership which has stood behind the Trust staunchly supporting the principles of the Trust’s work, and the Civic Trust Board who have been very committed to the principles and diligent in the hands-on work. The principles are to ensure sound public process in realising the very best development of this City, particularly it’s inner city core and strategic zones, as well as infrastructure across the City and its’ environs that impacts the quality of urban experience.

The year started with the decision of the Environment Court on the Queens Wharf Outer T Hilton Hotel proposal. We were pleased that the Court’s decision was based on upholding the Waterfront Framework. The process called on all of our reserves, along with additional support from members, but we were able to stay solvent and have moved back to a modest reserve this year to support our normal activity expenses. We do not have the resource however for another major undertaking of that kind.

I will list our main activities over the past year.

• Adelaide Road consultation: Meetings were attended and a submission prepared, and the next step by the Trust will be picked up in the Basin Reserve Seminar (see below).
• Jack Ilott Green: One of the conclusions of the Seminar held by the Trust some years ago identified the critical auditorium size that would best fill the gap in facilities in Wellington. The City, who own the site, and the Universities wanting to build the facility have negotiated a smaller auditorium. The Trust has gone back to the earlier reference and activated support for the larger facility and drawn the City’s attention to this.
• Ngauranga to Airport Corridor: A submission on the draft was lodged by the Trust and one of the points picked up in the Final Plan is that public transport between the CBD and the Airport needs to be reviewed within the next five years.
• Capital Precinct (the area in the vicinity of Parliament): The Trust has strongly urged the City Council to work with Central Government on a plan for this area that recognises its’  importance for Wellington, and for the nation. Particular issues within the Precinct have been the state of the Thorndon Tavern site and the process for the development of the National Library.
• Waterfront Ten Year Plan: A submission was presented, and a representation made on the proposed Variation 11 affecting what would, or would not, require public consultation.
• The Civic Trust Awards: This is a biannual Awards programme, with a range of categories to recognise the best developments in the City over the preceding two years. Submissions were invited and Panels of Trust members and other volunteers made the selection. The Awards were presented at a function, and then photographs of the entries were displayed in Shed 13 on the waterfront earlier this year. Trustees, and friends looked after the display, and we want to recognise the work of all the volunteers in this programme. Capital Times newspaper supported the call for entries, a range of expert judges gave their time, and Wellington Waterfront Ltd provided the building space for the display. Special financial support was provided by Oroya Day.
• Great Harbour Way: The Trust supports the development of this greatly upgraded cycle way around Wellington Harbour edge.
• Basin Reserve Seminar Planning: This is an intersection of a number of different planning discussions, for example the Flyover and Tunnel traffic proposal, the War Memorial precinct, the Adelaide Road zone, as well as this being an iconic cricket facility. A Seminar will be held in August to bring together all those involved in these different aspirations to help both public involvement and ideally to ensure future planning ensures the integration of the best concepts consistent with sustainable transportation planning.
• A new Brochure for the Trust: It is many years since the last brochure was printed, and there is a need to promote the Trust’s work more widely and to attract new members.
• Website: This has been developed by Callum Strong, and with the Newsletter edited by David Pucher is our way of keeping members in touch as well as promulgating the work of the Trust more broadly.

It would be unfair to single out individual members of the Board as the activities above have been shared amongst a very dedicated team.

I do want to acknowledge individually the Secretary Alan Smith, the Treasurer Simon Brodie, and the Deputy Chair Di Buchan. Di has given unstintingly over many years including as Chair before my term. She will be greatly missed now that she has decided to take a break, but I am sure will not be far away when opportunity arises.

Thank you to David Underwood, the Trust’s Honorary Auditor.

My final note is a comment on our membership. We have about 170 members, and this has been relatively static or declining slightly over recent years. There is a need for the Trust to attract new members, particularly from the increasing residential population in the City. These are times when the importance of sustainable development, for example in public transport options and the location of amenities in relation to this, are paramount for Wellington’s long term vision. The Wellington Civic Trust is uniquely placed to educate, advocate, and sometimes agitate to ensure the best public outcomes, resulting from open public engagement, prevail over short term limited interest pragmatic compromises.

Again I want to acknowledge all those who support and work for the ideals of the Trust.