Hosted by broadcaster Mark Sainsbury in Wellington, the event recognised the very best of professional management across the New Zealand local government sector.
The Victoria Street transformation was a successful collaboration between the Council, the New Zealand Transport Agency, and local residents and business groups (through the Memorial Park Alliance).
The judges’ comments following the win in the Collaborative Government Action Category stated: “We could not help but be impressed by the engagement that all of the partner agencies undertook to bring this project to completion. The affected street is in the heart of the Wellington CBD and also is home to a large number of people. That this has been accomplished with little adverse reaction is testament to the work the three partners have done.”
They went on to add: “This entry also provided us with one of the best examples of project management in action, together with a clear set of objectives and indicators to demonstrate success and generate continuous improvement.
“This project serves as a salutary reminder that the road corridor is much more than just the part the cars move along. We commend Wellington, the Memorial Park Alliance and NZTA for turning Victoria Street into one of New Zealand's leading street environments. This project embodies local and central government collaboration at its best.”
Urban Design Manager Trudy Whitlow says this award is acknowledgement that Council is delivering on what is said it would do. “We said we would get significant return on investment – $12.8 million spend to date, and return to date is $350 million with Weltec/Whitireia Cuba Campus and Stratum Group’s Victoria Street Precinct. Our goal is $1.5 billion – and we’re well on our way.”
The winner of the Supreme Award, selected from the five project category winners, was Transforming a City Dump: Hamilton Gardens – submitted by Hamilton City Council.