NEWS RELEASE
10 October 2008
 
Transmission Gully/SH58 interchange: cooperation not conflict
 
The Draft Porirua Development Framework sets out long-term land use management on a key highway for the region. The Framework is currently open for public comment.
 
Wellington and Porirua City Councils are engaging in “productive dialogue” over the Draft Porirua Development Framework which identifies the Pauatahanui/Judgeford area as possibly being suitable for long-term industrial/business development, confirm the Mayors of Wellington and Porirua cities.
 
The Wellington Regional Strategy, developed by the region's nine councils, identifies Pauatahanui as a ‘change area’ due to its proximity to the proposed Transmission Gully Motorway and State Highway 58 interchange. It states that it is likely to come under development pressure and makes sense for local authorities in the Wellington region to work together.
 
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast and Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash say the cities are working together to curb developments that might negatively impact on other commercial centres in the region.
 
In its draft Development Framework, Porirua City Council has taken a very long-term view (50 years+) of how to control development in the Pauatahanui/Judgeford area.
 
Mayor Prendergast says: “Wellington City Council’s submission is our chance to provide feedback on that Framework. The submission simply reinforces my Council’s position on development in the Pauatahanui area. We are engaging in productive dialogue with Porirua on this.
 
“The position that Wellington City took in April 2006 in accepting the Hearings Subcommittee’s recommendation that Transmission Gully should proceed was that we needed assurances from other councils such as Porirua that they would implement land-use controls to minimise urban sprawl along the Transmission Gully route.
 
“Our submission is therefore consistent with our position on this and with the WRS. It is about Porirua understanding what our concerns are”
 
Ms Brash says the intent of the draft framework was to receive feedback.
 
"Both Councils agree on the need to carefully manage future development opportunities in the Pauatahanui/SH58 area that will arise from the future Transmission Gully interchange.
"Transmission Gully motorway as the future State Highway 1 is essential to the long-term economic viability of the lower North Island but its impacts on urban form and economic development in the Wellington region must be anticipated, planned for, and well managed. 
 
"This cannot be done by one Council alone, so it's important we listen to all points of view to gain a shared understanding and consensus," says Mayor Brash. 
 
ends
 
 

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