Wellington’s ‘year of action’ in 2014-15

The Capital has made great progress with strong financial results reported in the Wellington City Council 2014 -15 Annual Report approved by the full council today.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the report shows a year of action leading up to the adoption of the 10-year Long Term Plan which will turn Wellington into an even better city.

“Agreeing the long term plan was one of our most important tasks and lays a pathway to maintain, or improve Council’s core services while providing $800 million for investment in new projects that will support and grow the economy,” she says.

Mayor Wade-Brown says key events for 2014-15 included Council working with Government to complete the Cenotaph and Pukeahu National Memorial Park in time for this year’s Anzac centenary commemorations and opening of the Great War exhibition.

“The Bond Street activation programme, Victoria Street renaissance, and completion of the Berkeley Dallard, Etona and Marshall Court Social Housing projects, and the Leonie Gill pathway, were personal highlights for me,” she says.

Wellington hosted and managed significant international events during the year and boosted confidence in local enterprise and employment in the region. Matariki, CubaDupa, the Jazz Festival, LUX, Chinese New Year, and Diwali, all contributed to the buzz of a multicultural city.

“Our cultural diversity makes us stronger as a community,” she says.

Wellington is one the 100 Resilient Cities and during the year strengthened tunnels, reservoirs and a number of buildings.

“Community volunteers are essential to the city and my thanks go to Council staff and volunteers who work to make Wellington such a great place to live,” she says.

Cr Jo Coughlan, Chair of the Economic Growth and Arts Committee, says a record number of guest nights provided a boost for the hospitality industry and shows Wellington is a growing attraction for visitors.

Financial performance of the Council finished on a strong note and spending of $434.3 million on delivery of essential services was at a cost to residents of just $5.95 a day, says Cr Mark Peck, Chair of the Council’s Audit and Risk Subcommittee.

“This is an impressive result,” he says.

“Our annual accounts have been well reported and Council is managing its resources very well.”

Performance highlights included:
• 100 percent of resource consents issued within statutory timeframes (20 working days)
• 95 percent of housing tenants rated the overall condition of their house or apartment as good or very good, up from 89 percent in 2013/14
• 86 percent of residents agree the central city is lively and attractive, up from 80 percent
• 84 percent of Contact Centre calls were answered within 30 seconds
• 74 percent of residents were satisfied with their involvement in Council decision-making, up from 70 percent
• 69 percent of residents agree that our recreation services and facilities are good value for money, up from 59 percent
• 66 percent of residents agree the city is developing in a way that takes into account its unique urban character and natural environment, up from 56 percent

There are some areas where progress against targets shows a gap including urban stream quality and street lighting in the suburbs.

Deputy Mayor Cr Justin Lester told the governance committee that creation of a single Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) in partnership with Greater Wellington Regional Council and seven other territorial authorities was a further important economic achievement for Council.

“Council made significant progress on big transformational projects including the Wellington Airport runway extension project, progress toward a convention centre for Wellington and a technology hub in the central city,” he says.

The final Annual Report will be available on September 26,

ENDS

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