Greater Wellington invests to thrive

Public transport, water supply, flood protection and the environment are the big winners following Greater Wellington Regional Council's unanimous adoption of its Long Term Plan.

"We're investing in the things that our community has told us matter. It's an ambitious plan that will transform the region's infrastructure, build regional resilience and future-proof our place as one of the country's most livable regions," says Greater Wellington chair Cr Chris Laidlaw.

"Many accolades have been showered on Wellington and we want to keep it that way.

"For us to continue to thrive our plan focuses on key issues such as being connected by an excellent public transport network, having uninterrupted access to drinking water, staying safe from the threat of flooding, restoring the environment, improving the quality of our freshwater and planning ahead for the impact of natural disasters and climate change."

Each of these issues, and more, has been examined in detail and the many recommendations for improvement in the plan have been closely debated by the community.

"We received overwhelming support from the community for investing in significant improvements to the region's infrastructure. We're a region that's looking to the future based on a strong consensus on a prudently costed menu of initiatives that will lead positive change in the region over the next decade," says Cr Laidlaw.

"We will complete major flood protection projects in the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa, including committing 121 million dollars to protect the Hutt CBD and the area downstream from the effects of major flooding of the Hutt River, and transform the city centre.

"This plan will ensure our region's water supply is resilient to major events and key investment will go ahead in seismic strengthening of several reservoirs and in bulk water supply to Porirua.

"Whaitua Committees will be established across the region with a strong emphasis of working in partnership with our community to improve freshwater quality."

Councillor Laidlaw says the regional council is working closer than ever with key partners in central government and with city and district councils to deliver projects that keep our region connected and resilient.

"Greater Wellington will play a key role in delivering the mass transit and public transport components of the Let's Get Wellington Moving programme and we have allocated $67 million from our Long Term Plan.

"In conjunction with Kiwirail, we've allocated $33 million to improve the rail fleet operating between the Wairarapa and Wellington, and the Capital Connection between Manawatu and Wellington over the next decade. It's clear we're investing in a connected region that continues to lead the way in public transport in New Zealand," says Cr Laidlaw.

"This is a comprehensive and ambitious plan driven in large part by what the community has asked of us. It shows a clear direction has been set for the region over the next decade."

The Long Term Plan will be delivered with a proposed 5.9 percent increase in average rates for the 2018/19 year. This will mean, for the coming financial year, an average annual increase of $40.75 or $3.39 per month for Greater Wellington ratepayers. Over the next decade, average rates are set to increase by 5 percent per annum.

For more information please contact:

Clayton Anderson, Council Communications, tel 027 272 1370

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