To the Extraordinary Council Meeting 20 April 2011
The Civic Trust is not too concerned about the attitude taken by the NZTA in this matter. Central government always leans on its smaller and weaker partner in government. Moreover, NZTA’s bloodline goes back to the Ministry of Works, an organisation with many qualities, but not, unfortunately, any related to engagement with the public. We expect better of that arm of government which is community-based. This issue will be a true test of whether or not our Council can, despite the lure of central government cash, approach this matter determined to act in the best interests of the communities it represents.
The Wellington Civic Trust agrees with the recommendation of officers that the reduced status quo option is the best immediate choice for the continued operation of the Council’s waterfront implementation agency. We believe, however, that this should be an interim decision and that the governance structure of the project should be included in the proposed review of the Framework.
While the Trust agrees with the broad conclusion reached in the review, it is disappointed with its tone. We can well understand why the company was prompted to write so fulsomely in praise of Karen Wallace’s work. The report exaggerates the risks of the in-house option and is too enthusiastic in its support of the CCO model. We believe each model has its strengths and its weaknesses. We heard this morning a lot about the great merits of a focused, arms-length implementation agency. We should remember it was a focused, arms- length agency which gave us the Events Centre.
These images were published in a feature in the Arts & Entertainment section (Tom Cardy) of the Dominion Post on 3rd March 2011, and represent highly visible art works introduced into Wellington City since the last Civic Trust Awards in October 2008.
1. Gabriel Heimler’s The Mover, Museum Hotel, Cable St.
2. Regan Gentry’s Subject to Change, Karo Drive, Te Aro.
3. Peter Trevelyan’s Mimetic Brotherhood, outside Te Papa.
4. Phil Dadson’s Akau Tangi, Cobham Drive.
5. Paul Dibble’s From Under the Harbour, Moore Wilson, Tory St.
6. Colin Webster-Watson’s Frenzy, Tuputeranga Reserve, Owhiro Bay.
Introduction
1. The Wellington Civic Trust welcomes the decision of the Mayoral Forum to review the governance of the Wellington region and to commission the report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The reorganisation of Auckland’s governance will have far reaching implications for other regions in New Zealand. The political tectonic plates have shifted up north and the rest of the country must adjust. Each region has its role to play in national development. Wellington is not only the capital, it also provides a crucial transport bridge between the North and South Islands which means that network capacity needs to take account of national and regional as well as core area demands.
2. The trust believes that the existing regional structure and a continued reliance on a collaborative approach will not allow the Wellington region to optimise its role in the national economy, or best serve the interests of those living in the region.
I so regret being unable to be present at this AGM – my first as Chair of the Wellington Civic Trust.I offer my apologies through Alan Smith, Deputy Chair and Secretary, who will present to you this 2009-2010 Annual Report.
It hardly seems that a year has passed since Seddon Bennington, our previous chairman, spoke to this meeting. Two months later, in July, he and his longtime friend Marcella Jackson tragically died in a storm in the Tararuas. This shocked us enormously then, and saddens us still.
The Civic Trust has no climate scientists on its Board. We have not therefore attempted to evaluate the science, we are persuaded, however, that if the great majority of climate scientists say that global warming is a life-threatening problem, we have not only to listen, but to act.
If 255 members of the US National Academy of Sciences say that “there is compelling comprehensive and consistent objective evidence that humans are changing the climate in ways that threaten our societies and the ecosystems on which we depend” we have to do something about it.
To the Wellington City Council
The Trust congratulates the Council on the draft 2010 Climate Action Plan. Such a plan is essential if the city is to meet the challenges which global warming will bring.
The Trust’s submission is based on the following premises: Read more »
Part One – A Time of Great Opportunity
The aim of the Wellington Civic Trust since its formation in 1981 has been to help make Wellington the best of all possible places to live and work. We therefore approach the Council’s ”Wellington 2040 – the Future of our Central City” initiative with that aim very much in mind. The project is both timely and relevant. Read more »
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 Civic Trust’s submission to the LTCCP focussed on the importance over the next ten years of the Waterfront, Urban pPrks, the Growth Spine and Transport issues. The submission will shortly be posted on to this site and will also go into the public domain along with other submissions received by the Council.