NZTA Board Welcomes Confirmation For Basin Bridge

The NZTA Board has today welcomed the conclusion of the Wellington City Council assessment into alternative transport improvements for the Basin Reserve, which concludes that NZTA’s Basin Bridge proposal is the best overall response to the Basin’s congestion problems and the City’s future urban development objectives.

NZTA acting Board Chair Patsy Reddy says the findings of the report were discussed with Wellington City Council Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and Transport portfolio lead Andy Foster at a Board meeting today.

“Mayor Wade-Brown and Cr Foster outlined the findings of the Council’s assessment report, indicating its support for the bridge proposal with a focus on mitigation to ensure the bridge is integrated into the surrounding urban area.”

“We appreciate the work the Council has done and look forward to working collaboratively with them through the RMA approval process.”

Ms Reddy says the Board had a constructive discussion with the Mayor and Cr Foster, reflecting on the effort made in the assessment report.

“Wellington City Council has specifically assessed the NZTA’s Basin Bridge proposal, the Architecture Centre’s Option X, Auckland Architect Richard Reid’s option and comparing these with a do minimum/status quo option.

“The information gathered and discussed has been valuable in clarifying the differences between each option.”

The Board will meet again in the middle of March to agree on a detailed mitigation package and the RMA lodgement timetable.

“We’re looking forward to working with the Council. We want to ensure the best transport solution is developed for the city that best meets the Council’s urban design aspirations, fits within our collective wish to maintain Wellington as a liveable city that supports economic development and growth.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>