Unnecessary flyovers and tunneling projects — otherwise known as grade separation (different levels of roadways) – may not be needed at the Basin Reserve if the real focus is on reducing road traffic.

This is one of the points made by the Wellington Civic Trust in its submission to the Ngauranga-to-Airport Draft Corridor Plan, said Chris Watson, Convenor of the Civic Trust’s Traffic & Transport Committee who presented the Trust’s submission to Greater Wellington chair Fran Wilde this week.

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Wellington’s diversity – from the quirkiness of Cuba Street’s Left Bank graffiti art to the scale of Waitangi Park – was reflected in the latest Civic Trust Awards announced on September 18th at a reception on Level 3 of Te Papa.

The Wellington Civic Trust Awards competition, held every two years, attracted 40 entries over five categories – architecture, open space, heritage, street art, and public sculpture. Every entry had to be for an addition completed within the last three years.

Judging was by specialist panels for each category, with a popular vote – by post and website – for the Sculpture category.

Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon announced the Supreme Award – the best of the best – which was for Waitangi Park, designed by Wraight Athfield for Wellington Waterfront Ltd. The Deputy Mayor, noting that aspects of Waitangi Park were also winners of two of the category awards, congratulated the Civic Trust on its initiative and specially thanked founding sponsors Oroya and Pat Day.

Civic Trust Chairman Seddon Bennington thanked all those involved with each project entered for their excellence and quality. “You have helped raise the bar for urban design excellence in Wellington” he said.

The Annual Report was delivered by the Chair, Dr Seddon Bennington at the AGM on May 26th at Turnbull House.

Download the Annual Report 2007-08