A “Wellington Council” with a smaller number of Councillors would unnecessarily restrict representation, just at a time when the public is becoming increasingly interested in participating in the very important issues of public transport, the three waters and a regional spatial plan.

Mid yearly update report from Regional Councillor Paul Bruce – July 26th 2011 In this update: Successful change to STV electoral system for Regional Council Wellington Regional Strategy Review Wellington Community Wind Farm Major weather events Consultation on inner-city transport network Successful change to STV electoral system for Regional Council! I am delighted to report [...]

Please find some suggestions for comments on Greater Wellington Regional Council on the proposed Annual Plan. Remember that submissions  close on 28 April 2011. Read summary and full plans on the GWRC website The Regional Council proposes to raise 84.571 million via general and targeted rates in 2011/12.  The average proposed rates increase for the [...]

Major decisions are being made – and your involvement at every level is crucial – in your communities,  also at local, regional and central Government level. The infrastructure of our transport, electricity, and food systems – as well as our building stock – have been designed and built to suit the unique characteristics of cheap [...]

As a lead forecaster at MetService, I see nature in action. We look out the window over our Habour and marvel at the beauty of the changing skies. And some of these changes are now ominous for life on earth, with increasing frequency of unusual events and extremes. Today, I would like to talk briefly [...]

Regional Councillor Paul Bruce reports on changes in the Transport Plan Presentation to the Rotary Club of Wellington, May 2010 Tena koutou katoa! According to Charles Finny, CEO of Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Wellington is possibly the best performing regional council in the country, with highly dedicated staff, and a couple of significant [...]

The Dominion Post reported; “Round-the-clock gridlock has been predicted if The Terrace and Mt Victoria tunnels are closed for five weeks to kickstart a $80 million project to remedy serious safety problems.” Could we use this sense of crisis to achieve immediate improvements in public transport services and safe cycle and walk ways between Wellington [...]

Proposed GW Annual Plan 2010/11 Submissions close 4pm Friday 23rd April 2010, 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 [...]

Buses should have been given priority before replacing a zebra crossing with traffic lights. Traffic signals are being installed on the pedestrian crossing near Reading Cinemas. Originally this was part of a package designed to improved bus priority that included 30k limits and giving buses priority during peak hours. Wellington City Council agreed to consult [...]

Wellington City Council unanimously voted to agree the goal of being a Fair Trade City and to take the necessary steps to get there! Cr Celia Wade-Brown, a member of the local steering group promoting Fair Trade, said “I’m delighted Wellington City Council has taken this step. Fair Trade businesses have continued to flourish despite [...]

We face many challenges in the coming years; the limits of growth, climate change and peak everything, beginning with oil. Now is the time to wake up to the power of solar, irresistible cities, community gardens, a great harbour way, energy efficient buildings, and make our region the best post-carbon place to be.

Greater Wellington has a report on the Transport and Access agenda on Carriage of cycles on buses and trains. Report 6: the Transport and Access Committee on Carriage of Cycles on Buses and Trains This report includes a review of the recent survey of people using trains, and a Environment Canterbury trial of racks on [...]

Congratulations Celia! Celia Wade-Brown was elected in 2010 as the 34th Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand. Read Celia’s speech Celia Wade-Brown on Facebook Celia stands for: Leadership on climate change Leadership – Wellington City Council, residents and busineses take climate change actions that put us back in the forefront of activity Long term strategic thinking [...]

The Wellington City Council draft Dog Policy is available for consultation.  The Council is keen to hear from the public whether this Policy achieves an appropriate balance between the needs of people who own dogs and those who don’t. Submissions close 7th August 2009 at 5:00pm Detail about the policy and how to make a [...]

Wellington Trust, Community Net under threat The existence of the Wellington Trust and its key service, Wellington Community Net is now under threat from reduced WCC funding because some staff and councillors don’t understand its value. Wellington Community Net offers a very valuable service. There are 570 separate websites, not pages in a directory but [...]