AN “arrogant” submission by the New Zealand Transport Agency to the Wellington City Council’s District Plan Change 72 has angered Wellington residents and associations.
Heritage houses could be demolished, and residents will have to pay for acoustical engineers and sound insulation, if the council approves it.
In its submission, the agency proposed “Any new residential building and any additions or alterations to an existing residential building within 80 metres of a State highway with a speed limit less than 70km/hr and within 100 metres of a State highway with a speed limit of 70km/hr or higher, must be designed and constructed to achieve an internal level of 30dbA inside any habitable room with the doors and windows closed.”
Kent Duston, president of the Mount Victoria Residents’ Association, thinks the proposal is ludicrous.
“It’s an arrogant and unfair approach,” he says. “Everyone who’s currently living on the Ngauranga to airport corridor will be affected. As we build bigger roads, they want people to pick up the tab for sound insulation.”
Duston says the planned Basin Reserve changes will also mean it will cost Moir Street and Paterson Street residents if they choose to alter their houses, and Saint Marks School might face problems.
“I hope that the council views this from an equity perspective and sees there’s a real difference between a government agency and home owners. Allowing the cost to be put onto homeowners – the people with the least money and power – would be an insidious state of affairs,” he says.
The NZTA had not commented at the time of print.
Convenor of the Mount Victoria Historical Society Joanna Newman is particularly concerned about the possible affect on heritage houses.
The agency’s submission includes a clause that Newman says indicates the council and NZTA will have the power of discretion over the fate of pre 1930s buildings in the path of a highway.
“…There is a possibility that some properties within the Mt Victoria/Mt Cook demolition control area may be affected by future state highway roading works, and that it is necessary that the importance of Wellington’s character be balanced with the infrastructure needs of the city and region,” it states.
“We have a serious concern that they will be able to override rules in place for pre-1930s buildings,” say Newman. “The particular section at risk is around the Basin Reserve and the [planned] second tunnel, because there are three important heritage buildings in the area (see below for details).”
She says “I have real concerns they will allow the changes, because they are also pushing for this [Ngauranga to airport] road. We will be protesting. There’s quite a movement growing in certain corners.”
Councillor Iona Pannett can’t comment because the submissions haven’t been heard, and the hearing details haven’t yet been finalised.
“Councillors will vote for or against the plan changes,” she says. “I have concerns about anything that challenges heritage rules.”

Heritage at risk
• Ettrick Cottage at 19 Paterson Street, which has already been “saved once from the wreckers ball”, after it was moved from Austin Street. Built in the early 1870s, it was bought by Samuel Atkins, a sergeant in the Seaforth Highlanders. The home remained in the Atkins family for 81 years.
• The original home of William Waring Taylor, a member of the House of Representatives, is located at 7 Paterson Street. Built in 1869, it still retains many of its historical features.
• The third building is located on the northern edge of the road across from the Basin Reserve. Designed by notable architect John Swan in 1915, it was once a crèche run by Suzanne Aubert’s Sisters of Compassion.