Proposed GW Annual Plan 2010/11

Submissions close 4pm Friday 23rd April, and oral submissions will be heard 12th to 14th May.

Areas of interest:

1: Public transport fare increase of 3% (plus amount GST increase) for upgrade improvements

My suggestion:  This increase be applied evenly over the network, while using the WCC downtown business levy to provide free public transport services during weekends for the CBD sections. A free CBD fare will allow those arriving by public transport to the city to move about the city without having to pay for an additional fare. Note that the rail fare terminates at Wellington railway station not Courtenay Place.  The integration of fares between services is making very slow progress, and this would be a step in the right direction.

2: Refurbishment program of the Ganz Mavag rail fleet at an estimated cost of $8 million (page 25 on full report)

My suggestion: Proceed no further with refurbishment of these units which will not match the quality of the new Matangi trains.  Instead investigate the purchase of modern light rail units for travel through the city CBD.

3: Water Supply

Expenditure of over $ 7 million on upgrades to infrastructure.

My suggestion: Extend the clean heat (also referred to as Warm Greater Wellington) rating financial expenditure program to domestic rain water collection tanks as an additional item.

Proposed Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy 2010-2040

The Wellington Regional Land Transport Committee is seeking public feedback on its proposed Regional Land Transport Strategy, which is an update on the current strategy adopted in 2007.  Submissions must reach Greater Wellington by 5pm on Friday 23 April 2010.

The RLTS document contains a vision that few would disagree with.  It also advocates modal shift to public transport and active travel, and transfer of freight to rail, as a response to climate change, rising fuel prices, health, safety and security.

However, one of the key outcomes listed -  Reduced severe road congestion (6.4.1), and the related outcomes -  Maintained vehicle travel times between communities and regional destinations, and Improved reliability of the strategic roading network, allow the inclusion of the Transmission Gully project (8.1r, 10.2.1), the “Road of National Significance” (8.5d, 10.2.1), and Ngauranga to Wellington Airport Corridor (10.2.4) .  The timing of the Mt Victoria and Terrace Tunnel duplications and the widening of Ruahine Street have been brought forward in response to the inclusion of the Road of National Significance.

A small portion of the $2.4 billion allocated to road upgrades would provide for double tracking and tunneling of the main truck rail line,  light rail, safe cycle paths, and consequent increase in resiliency of region to price increases, storms and earthquakes.

The incompatibility of this outcome with the other outcomes and the Proposed Regional Policy Statement 2009 (Appendix 4.1), needs to be highlighted.

My suggestions:

1. Faster movement towards integrated public transport services
2. Inclusion of light rail in the Ngauranga to Wellington Airport corridor to address limitations on capacity
3. Fast track construction of the Petone to Nguaranga cycle/walk way as an essential part of the regional network
4. Cycle racks on buses (note new amendment to the road rules)
5. Introduction of road pricing or congestion charges (Appendix 3.1.6)

For more information

Contact Regional Councillor Paul Bruce
paul.bruce@greens.org.nz
phone: 04 9728699 cellphone:021 02719370

Location: Bluebridge Entrance, Waterloo Quay
When: Mon, 26/04/2010 – 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Come and join Sue Kedgley and the Coalition against the use of Methyl Bromide to protest the use of this highly toxic gas at the Wellington Port. This is part of a nationwide series of protests organised by the coalition. There will be speeches outlining the risks of Methyl Bromide and options for better practice.

Methyl Bromide is currently used to fumigate logs at various ports around New Zealand. It is often released directly into the atmosphere and is very ozone depleting. It poses serious health risks to the port workers. The protest starts from 12.00.

Contact – Malcolm Larking 04 3814640, 0211838952.