Wellington's 'big deal': 10-year investment package to grow Capital

An ambitious investment package to grow the Capital's economy beyond the next decade has been approved for consultation by the Wellington City Council as the centerpiece of its 2015-2025 Long Term Plan.

Councillors signed off the draft Long Term Plan last week and today the Consultation Document has received approval from Audit New Zealand, as required by law. The formal consultation period will now go out for full public consultation from next Thursday, 12 March to 17 April.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the 10-year investment plan will “boost our value well-beyond this decade” and promote sustained economic growth for the region.

Mayor Wade-Brown says that the invest-to-grow proposal maintains all existing services and includes new initiatives. Under the plan, Wellingtonians would be limited to a modest 3.9 percent rates increase per year on average over 10 years.

A ‘business as usual’ approach, maintaining all current services but not investing in growth, would see rates increases of 3.1 percent on average over ten years.

“Our Long Term Plan is an unprecedented investment package,” she said. “With this plan, the Council is demonstrating our commitment to take on the challenge of competing globally with the likes of Sydney, Singapore and San Francisco.

“Wellington’s economic success will underpin our progress for the environment, our social wellbeing, healthy communities and cultural growth. We’re investing in our communities, we’re not making trade-offs between our economy and the aspects of Wellington that make our lifestyle second to none in New Zealand. Smart cities are inclusive.

“In December 2014, Council agreed the limits of borrowing and rates increases, and we’ve kept to these limits in our invest-to-grow scenario of 3.9 percent on average over 10 years and the borrowings limit of 175 percent of income,” says Mayor Wade-Brown.

Formal public consultation on the Long Term Plan will begin next month.

Deputy Mayor Justin Lester, Chair of the Governance, Finance and Planning Committee, says the LTP is ambitious – “but it’s affordable and it’s necessary.

“We have two options in Wellington: to manage a decline of the city and region - or invest to grow. I know which option I prefer.

“The City Council is in a strong financial position – so we can afford to invest in major projects for the good of the economy and the region.”

Mayor Wade-Brown says the invest-to-grow plan would contribute to an international film museum, war and peace museum, an indoor music arena, airport runway extension, convention centre, a tech hub, and a screen industry enterprise zone (all subject to business cases stacking-up) over the next decade.

The plan also aims to transform the inner city, its laneways and key transport spines such as Adelaide Road into vibrant, mixed use areas with shops, offices, cafes and apartments.

“Our Urban Growth Plan is a very forward-looking transport, housing and biodiversity package,” says the Mayor.

Chair of Economic Growth and Arts Committee Jo Coughlan says Council’s focus has been on implementing the Capital’s economic development strategy, “and now the rubber meets the road,” she said. “This plan strongly signals this Council’s commitment to income-generating infrastructure projects for the city.”

A key feature of the LTP is an exciting proposition to strengthen the Town Hall, revitalise Civic Square and develop a National Music Centre in partnership with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington and Victoria University’s School of Music.

Wellingtonians can take the opportunity to stamp their mark on the future of the Capital through the consultation process, which will run through March and April.

The Mayor’s proposed budget received majority support from councillors and there were minor additions proposed for public transport, graffiti eradication and dog parks.

Next week, Council’s new Long Term Plan website will be launched when consultation formally begins 12 March, giving Wellingtonians more opportunity than ever before to engage and provide feedback. In the meantime, visit our website for more details: http://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-reports/long-term-plan/long-term-plan-2015-25

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