Our future - your say
We have some big issues and questions facing our region, such as last summer's serious water shortage - how will we make sure there's enough water for our growing population?
This year there are five major consultations coming up, which we've signposted here. We hope you take the opportunity to have your say.
What's the 10-year plan?
Greater Wellington's major commitments for the next 10 years are outlined in our 10-Year Plan 2009-19, which has targets, timeframes and funding for all work programmes, ranging from public transport to flood protection. The 10-Year Plan is also known as the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP). By law, we must produce a 10-Year Plan every three years.
The 10-Year Plan will cover these issues:
- Water supply - We'll need a major new water source in the future for our growing population. It will be expensive but could be delayed if we use less water
- Public transport - We want to get more people on public transport, especially during peak times. We're buying new trains and improving the Metlink public transport network by introducing real-time information
- Regional parks and forests - The community wants new regional parks at Whitireia and Lake Wairarapa. We're planning to slowly bring these sites into our park network so we can keep costs down
- Land management - The way we manage our land, both urban and agricultural, affects our quality of life and underpins our economic prosperity. We'd like to continue with projects that improve the quality of our soils and control pest plants and animals
- Climate change - We're currently working with the region's councils on climate change issues. We'd like to continue supporting renewable energy in the region
- Flood protection - We'd like to continue with our flood protection programme across the region
HAVE YOUR SAY - Every household in the region will receive a summary of the proposed 10-Year Plan before the end of March. We'll be asking if you agree with what we plan to do or if there are things you think should be done differently.
Our investment in transport
Better roads, improved public transport, and safer cycling and walking are essential for a sustainable regional transport system.
We've put together a list of major transport activities for the next three years, in priority order. These are in the draft Regional Land Transport Programme. High on the list is an upgrade of Muldoon's Corner on the Rimutaka Hill Road and a project for more trains on the tracks during peak times. The draft includes other local roading projects, State Highway improvements, and local council projects for cycle lanes and footpaths.
HAVE YOUR SAY - Every household in the region will receive a summary of the draft Regional Land Transport Programme before the end of March, so you can tell us what you think about priorities for the region's transport system
Using our resources wisely
Over the past century, changes in land use have altered our coastlines, many of our native ecosystems have been lost, and the water quality in many of our rivers and streams is poor.
The Regional Policy Statement aims to address issues like these by requiring Greater Wellington and local councils to manage the region's air, water, land, soil, minerals and energy in a way that doesn't compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
HAVE YOUR SAY - We will consult on the proposed Regional Policy Statement from 23 March. To have your say, see www.gw.govt.nz/rps or email rps@gw.govt.nz
A 20-year vision for parks
The community's leisure and recreation needs have changed since regional parks were first developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And we a