22 May 2012

Ticking the box

23/11/2011 9:46:00 a.m.

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Capital Times continues its look at the candidates fighting for Wellington Central. We asked four candidates about Wellington issues – roading options for the Basin Reserve, public transport, and that Wellywood sign.


  Grant Robertson, Labour
Paul Foster-Bell, National
James Shaw, Green
Stephen Whittington, Act
 What’s the first thing you want to achieve should you win? I want to see the availability of emergency and affordable housing improve in the city.  I want to be a strong local voice in the next Key-led National Government lobbying for Wellington, its businesses and its people. That’s why I’m asking for both a constituency vote and a party vote for National.
Let’s finally get Wellington a world class and long overdue light rail network through the city. I’d like government to reprioritize some of the $2 billion earmarked for motorways in Wellington towards light rail.  Reforming a range of outdated social legislation such as the Adoption Act and the Marriage Act. I believe that people should be treated equally before the law – and that means extending the right to adopt children and marry to homosexuals.
 Do you support the proposal for a Wellington super city council?  Not unless it comes from people of the region themselves. It should not be imposed by central government.  While some consolidation may be beneficial, especially around region-wide resource management issues, National’s policy is that this should be a matter for local communities to decide on. We would not impose a central government solution on the region.  I do want to strengthen the Regional Council and improve coordination on things like water and transport but I don’t support an Auckland-style supercity. Let’s not gut local democracy in the region. Our cities are very distinct from each other and they’re better governed locally.  No. I think it’s important that people have a close connection with their local council, and that local councils can offer different services to their ratepayers.
 What do you think of the roading options for the Basin Reserve and which if any do you support?  I support Option X, which would see no Flyover, more scope for public transport and a proper War Memorial Park, rather than having State Highway One run through it.
 I support the government’s investment of $2 billion because the current Mt Victoria tunnel is inadequate and the best outcome is for traffic to keep moving, not gridlocked emitting fumes. I favour a smart solution in front of the National War Memorial to preserve this sacred space.
 The project is uneconomic and will increase congestion and carbon emissions. If there is to be a car-based road, regardless of public opinion or economic and environmental considerations, then I support Option X over Options A and B.  The experts say that Option X will create safety concerns for vehicles and pedestrians, and will return about 80 cents on the dollar (that is, be a complete waste of money). I support the flyover, provided compensation is paid to landowners who are negatively affected.
 What is the best transport option for the city?  I want to see more focus on public transport in city and out to the airport. I think we need to investigate light rail as an option now to see what costs are, and how it could be rolled out.
 The Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance will provide a way out of the current transport deadlock. It will also improve public transport journey time reliability.National has also committed over $400m for our regional rail network.  I support the Mayor’s proposal for light rail from the CBD out to the airport. It’s a cheaper and more sustainable option that would alleviate congestion and offer commuters an affordable option in the face of future oil price rises.   It depends on where you live. I bus into the city, but walking and cycling are an option for many.  For others, the car is the most suitable. I support Wellingtonians making decisions for themselves over their transport options.
 Wellywood or Welly would not. What’s your view of the sign for the Miramar Peninsular?  I don’t like any of the options that are on the table at the moment. I would be happy with just “WELLINGTON” or some kind of sculpture.
 If there is to be a sign, I favour the Wellington – ‘windswept’ style option. It’s a shame Wellingtonians have not been offered the option of choosing no sign at all, if that’s what they want.  Wellington has wonderful hills and we don’t need to cover them in gimmicky signs. I would have used the money to plant some native bush and create a gorgeous green cloak for passengers to see whilst they’re landing.  Opposed.
 What’s the best thing about Wellington?  Cuba Street.  I love the vitality and the eclectic nature of the people, cafes, shops, galleries.  Its liveability - Wellington is a wonderful place to live. There is a vibrant mix of artistic and commercially creative people. It is the most beautiful city in the most beautiful country in the world.  Our natural setting. We have snow capped mountains in the winter and warm golden beaches in the summer. We have heritage homes set on tree covered hills. That setting creates the driver for all the other wonderful things about this city.  The vibrant atmosphere in the city. Grant Robertson supports policies that will destroy that atmosphere – a limit on the number of taxis, a minimum price for alcohol. People should be able to drink safely in town and get a taxi home.
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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Briefs

  • A question of nutrition

    Controversial Washington-based nutritionist Sally Fallon-Morell is to speak in Wellington on March 29.
    Fallon-Morell is the co-founder of the American food lobby group the Weston A. Price Foundation and the author of Nourishing Traditions. She advocates for the consumption of nutritionally dense foods such as lacto-fermented vegetables, stocks and broths, and whole raw dairy products.
    Fallon-Morell will speak at St Patrick’s College Hall on March 29.

  • Relay for cancer

    Organisers say Sunday’s Relay for Life is full to capacity with hundreds of Wellingtonians registered for the event.
    A total of 88 teams, made up of 10 to 500 members, plan to take part with a further 25 teams on the waiting list.
    The 24 hour relay, the Cancer Society’s biggest fundraising event of the year, takes place at Frank Kitts Park from 4pm on March 31.

  • Osteoarthritis awareness

    Arthritis New Zealand has launched a nationwide campaign raise awareness about osteoarthritis. 
    Arthritis is New Zealand’s leading cause of disability, affecting 305,000 adults, and osteoarthritis is its most common form.
    The campaign features television commercials and an interactive website.


  • Wild walk

    Take part in the Big Walk at Zealandia on March 31.
    Walkers can choose a two, five or 10 kilometre walk catering to all fitness levels.
    Money raised will go to the Foundation for Youth Development.

  • School pool

    The opening of the new Khandallah School pool this week means hundreds of children will be able to continue their swimming lessons.
    The pool was the first to receive a grant from Wellington City Council’s Schools Pools Partnership Fund, a fund set up in 2010 to help schools improve their pool facilities.
    Grants from the fund have also been made for pools at Wellington East Girls’ College, Barhampore School and Tawa School.

  • Easter bikers

    Motorcyclists are invited to get on their bikes and collect Easter eggs for families support from the Wellington City Mission.
    The charity run on April 1 is organised by motorcycle lobby group BONZ.
    Eggs can be donated at Red Baron Motorcylces in Alicetown. The registration fee for bikers is $10, plus the cost of Easter eggs.

  • Crafty

    Made on Marion opens on the site of the former Golding Handicrafts site in Marion St, from April 1.  They will continue to supply craft materials.

  • Ze upgrade

    Taranaki Street fuel users will notice that the Z Energy’s former Shell Service Station is closed.  Z are doing a “total revamp”.
    The job will take four weeks.

  • Newlands Moves

    Developer Ayal Aharoni has agreed to build only 90 instead of 220 houses on his six and a half hectares above Ngauranga Gorge in Newlands.  Only low density occupation will be allowed on the remaining 8.4 hectares.


  • Baring Head

    There's a new  draft plan out for what should happen at Baring Head.  It outlines how the Greater Wellington Regional council would like to manage the newest addition to its regional parks network. Grazing animals will go, motorised vehicles will be prohibited, predators will be controlled, and the lighthouse will be preserved. Submissions are invited.


  • It’s a wonder

    A new childcare centre in Newtown says it is dedicated to helping kids grow up healthy in mind, body and spirit. Little Wonders Childcare on Rintoul Street is an independent early childhood education and learning centre, the sixth centre to be opened by its Auckland-based owner. It caters to 100 children aged between three months and five years old and has been open for a little more than seven weeks.

  • Festival treats

    CHILDREN have not been forgotten by organisers of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.
    For a perfect first theatrical experience White tells the story of friends Cotton and Winkle who live in a world where there is no colour and everything is startlingly white. That is until a brightly coloured egg tumbles out of the sky and changes their world for ever.
    White plays at Capital E from March 7-11.
    The tale of Peter and the World also promises to be a magical night for all ages. Sergei Prokofiev’s classic children’s tale is told through film and live music from the NZ Symphony Orchestra at the Michael Fowler Centre on March 9.
    March 11 is Young Writers and Readers Day and readings from children’s writers and illustrators Lynley Dodd and Gavin Bishop.

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