The plan addresses water infrastructure, supports a vibrant economy, invests in greater iwi representation, enhances city safety and makes our civic buildings more resilient.
Strong public participation in the consultation also informed council funding decisions for the Pōneke Promise central city safety campaign and greater access to our performance venues in line with Aho-Tini 2030 Arts and Culture Strategy.
Decisions were made to keep the rates increase for 2021/22 at 13.5%. In the seven focus areas that were consulted on, the following decisions were made:
Investment in the Council’s three-waters infrastructure – drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Decision: invest $2.4b over 10 years to improve our water network.
- Investment in the Council’s three-waters infrastructure – drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Decision: invest $2.4b over 10 years to improve our water network.
- Wastewater laterals (the pipes connecting property to the water main underneath the road corridor).
Decision: Council to take ownership of the laterals between a property boundary and the sewerage main underneath the road corridor.
- Funding for cycle networks.
Decision: $226m for the accelerated delivery of our cycle network infrastructure.
- How to fund our commitment to reducing emissions through Te Atakura – First to Zero (climate change).
Decision: invest $29.9m over 10 years, fully funding our Te Atakura action plan to reduce our emissions over the next decade.
- Te Ngākau Civic Square funding for future work - especially relating to decisions on the future of the Municipal Office Building and Civic Administration Building (both currently empty).
Decision: demolish the buildings and develop the site through a long term ground lease (subject to resource consent) - $10.9m for demolition and $750k for resource consent.
- How to fund the repair and upgrade of the Central Library.
Decision: invest $197.8m to strengthen now by temporarily exceeding our debt limit.
- How we will reduce our dependence on pumping sludge across the city to the Southern Landfill and reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.
Decision: invest in the existing wastewater treatment plant at Moa Point, but fund it through the Infrastructure Funding and Finance Act. This means that the project is not funded by Council debt.
Other decisions:
- Frank Kitts Park upgrade: reinstate the $6.5m for the Frank Kitts Garden park development, known as the Garden of Beneficence.
- Pōneke Promise: funding for the Community Harm Reduction Programme, Take 10, rental and fitout of a community space and streetscape improvements.
- Aho Tini 2030, Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy projects: $1,075,000 annually, with $545,000 of that in the first year for venues support (funded through the City Recovery Fund).
- City Housing upgrade programme: agreed to include $446m over 10 years including Healthy Homes and general renewals.
- Skate Parks: $1.5m investment over 10 years to upgrade skate parks.
- Funding for youth hub/spaces and improving youth engagement.
The draft Long-term Plan will go to Audit NZ for review in June and be adopted on 30 June.
Wellington City Councillors talk to the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan
Mayor Andy Foster
“Councillors and staff worked tirelessly and collaboratively to produce a budget that addressees today’s challenges and opportunities and, lays a foundation to ensure Wellington is a vibrant, inclusive and safe city now and, in the future. We are grateful to the 1,000s of residents who partnered with us in the LTP consultation and gave voice to their commitment to Wellington.”
Deputy Mayor Sarah Free
“Future generations can’t afford for us not to be bold. This investment is needed to meet present and future challenges - to have a great city fit for the future.”
Councillor Jill Day
“Council agreed Wellington will become a Te Reo city in 2018, this budget increases the Council’s internal Maori capacity and mana whenua at our table will make this a reality. Ka haere tonu matou.”
Councillor Terri O’Neill
“I’m proud all councillors are able to meet in the same place with broad consensus - in particular to see our council investing $7.7M for city safety and 1.5M skate park upgrades.”
Councillor Rebecca Matthews
“Fixing water infrastructure was everyone’s top priority and led a plan that will also help deliver for climate, transport, safety and rebuilding our inner city.”
Councillor Tamatha Paul
“Thanks to everyone who had their say and helped council work together for a plan to tackle the city’s big challenges.”
“Pipes, bikes, climate change, central library, housing, city safety and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We are our way back to being the coolest little capital city in the world!”
Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons
“This ten-year budget is focussed on core infrastructure and addressing climate change, the rate increase is unfortunately high but necessary.”
Councillor Laurie Foon
“This plan steers our capital toward a zero-carbon future, fixes our assets, and will open up our streets for people. We also committed to enriching our creative culture with safety at the heart of our city. Proud to have been around the table.”
Councillor Malcolm Sparrow
“We’re in agreement on directing more funding to the essentials, but it would’ve been prudent to have cut back on some less urgent aspects.”
Useful links