Senior councillors support LGWM

The chairperson of Greater Wellington Regional Council has acknowledged problems with the $7.4 billion Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme but says now is not the time to stop.

‘‘Yes, we are continuing,’’ regional council chairperson Daran Ponter said when asked if the controversial transport overhaul should continue – at least until a detailed business case could be completed.

‘‘[We are] not wasting the time and money invested to date to launch yet another approach to decongesting Wellington and giving better access from across the region. ‘‘

But he acknowledged there were questions from the regional council: ‘‘Pace, costs, inflation, priorities, funding splits, etcetera – you betcha. That is in the nature of any large scale programme like this.

‘‘Can the programme as a whole work smarter? Absolutely.’’

This meant ‘‘fast-track and empowering legislation’’ so critical decisions on big investments could be made early, he said.

Ponter was speaking at a crucial time for the transport overhaul that, if realised, will see light rail, a new tunnel, more bus and cycle lanes, and a raft of other changes for the capital. But the programme has been under increasing fire for spending big sums on consultation and planning but little actual delivery.

A narrow minority of Wellington City councillors are now calling for the council – which will be funding 20% of the cost – to withdraw, while some regional councillors are also feeling the same.

The indicative – but yet to be confirmed – remainder of the funding for LGWM comes with another 20% from the regional council with the remainder from the Government via Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Meanwhile, a straw poll of Stuff readers had 68% of the nearly 6000 people who took part calling for the programme to be ditched.

But regional council transport committee chairperson Thomas Nash acknowledged problems but said now was the time for ‘‘courage, leadership and bold vision’’ to make sure the big ticket items such as light rail got past planning and into the signing of contracts and actual construction.

‘‘It is fair enough to say LGWM can improve on the delivery of information and communication to councillors and the public,’’ he said.

Light rail was the best solution to solving Wellington’s housing crisis as it allowed developers to plan where to put high-density housing. Experts from Australia, who had helped with successful light rail there, were excited about the possibilities of Wellington light rail, he said.