-- Embargoed to 5am, Saturday 9 July --
City transformation a marathon, not a sprint
Barbara McKerrow, Chief Executive, Wellington City Council
Picture a future Wellington, where a group of friends step out of their apartment in a
new high-rise building near Courtenay Place. They love living in the city’s centre,
which has undergone a remarkable transformation compared with 2022. It isn’t only
the choice of interesting jobs that keeps them here. They are proud, not only of
Wellington’s revitalised creative city vibe, but its reputation as an inclusive, diverse
capital city that is easy to get around. Wellington is a leader in reducing its carbon
footprint, and in partnering with Māori. It is a fun and affordable place to live, and the
days of pipes bursting in the streets are forgotten.
And talking of pipes – this need not be a pipe dream.
Once every three years council chief executives are required to produce a pre-
election report with the aim “to provide information to promote public discussion
about the issues facing the local authority”. I have just published mine. Whether or
not it is read, I am appealing to our citizens to enrol and vote in the upcoming local
government election. The future of our city depends on a healthy and inclusive
democracy. This year voting opens on 16 September and closes at midday on 8
October.
I began my role as chief executive of Wellington City Council in 2020, just three
weeks before the first COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. It has been an intense time
for us all since then. Apart from the effects of a global pandemic, Wellington has had
to confront its fair share of challenges. But there are also great opportunities for a
city known for its creativity and energy. We need to work together to fully realise
them.
Over the past three years our elected members have mandated ambitious plans to
ensure that Wellington is a capital city fit for the future. Thirty years of traditional
infrastructure investment is now concentrated into one decade, including more than
$2 bil ion to improve Wellington’s aging three waters infrastructure. A significant
programme of upgrade and development is underway, from transport networks to
cultural and community facilities, central city places and spaces, and waste
minimisation initiatives. Updated plans are in place to activate the city and enhance
Wellington’s place as the creative capital – economically, socially, and culturally. Our
proposed District Plan will enable a greater level of urban intensification and
investment to increase housing supply and accommodate growth. The Let’s Get
Wellington Moving partnership programme is advancing to the next stage of work on
the greatest transformation the city may ever see, for mass rapid transit, urban
development, and travel behaviour change.
Transforming cities is a marathon, not a sprint. In the decades I’ve spent in local
government, and coincidentally also during my time as a competitive marathon
runner, I’ve learned you need plenty of determination and perseverance to get to the
finish line. In today’s environment of COVID, cost inflation, construction and
engineering shortages, it’s taking even more time and effort. It can be frustrating for
those who want to see faster change now. But with deliberate planning and
collaboration, Wellington will remain a vibrant, progressive and liveable city.
For the incoming council, the focus will be on shifting Wellington further into this
period of transition. There will always be debate about the way forward. But what is
not debatable are the challenges of infrastructure and planning for growth, resilience
and adaptability; our economy; and funding and financing the solutions. Nor is the
reality that the local government sector itself is facing reform. It will take time, and
there are certainly big challenges ahead – but there are also major opportunities
which can be realised by working better together for Wellington.
• A link to the pre-election report can be found at
wcc.govt.nz/elections
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