Daily review 17/10/2024

9 comments on “Daily review 17/10/2024 ”

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1. SPC 1

   17 October 2024 at 8:15 pm

   Some people have mentioned saving money on the GM or cycle ways.

   Council staff said at the time projects that could be cut included the Golden Mile upgrades, the cycleway programme and the Khandallah Pool strengthening, which campaigners fought to save.

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/531103/wellington-council-budget-woes-sale-of-dozens-of-land-leases-an-option

   The reality.

   Transport Minister Simeon Brown has warned the Wellington City Council that it will only get government cash for the Golden Mile if it keeps to its existing design.

   Brown told the breakfast that the Government was locked in to co-funding its Golden Mile improvements, via NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, because it was agreed to under the previous government.

   A spokeswoman from Mayor Tory Whanau’s office said the final plans for the Golden Mile were almost completed with no significant changes from the plan agreed with Waka Kotahi.

   The harsh lesson behind this.

   Waka Kotahi is locked in to cover 60% of the cost of the $139.4m project, a complete revamp of the main drag from Lambton Quay to Courtenay Place, but as the council learned with another nearby project, any big changes can push all the costs back to ratepayers.

   Waka Kotahi had agreed to share the cost of a revamp on Thorndon Quay and Hutt Rd but, once the council removed the Hutt Rd component, it had to be reassessed against new priorities and it lost government funding. It means the council is having to cover the cost of the project which includes new cycle and bus lanes, as well as pedestrian crossings.

   https://archive.li/lb1rP#selection-1083.0-1184.6
   • SPC 1.1

     17 October 2024 at 8:39 pm

     The background.

     The new National-led government axed the $7.4 billion Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) project soon after entering office though some projects remained. This included a $134m transformation of the Golden Mile, which the council took on itself, albeit with 51% government funding.

     “Wellington City Council will bring the Golden Mile project in-house and work to cost efficiencies, better bus routes, greater pedestrian access and closer engagement with local businesses,” that statement said.

     It appears National Party Ministers still wanted to have the Council review the Golden Mile Plan.

     But the lawyers for the Council said they could not change the plan without losing the funding for it authorised by the previous government.

     But on December 20 lawyers for the council, Buddle Findlay, wrote to business advocacy group Guardians of the Golden Mile saying the council would not revisit decisions and “does not consider that it is required to consult further with businesses”. It would be proceeding with plans “in accordance with precious decisions”.

     Brown and Bishop got hold of the Buddle Findlay letter and, on January 23, wrote to Whanau that they were “surprised” to read the council saying it would not consult as Whanau had “critically” agreed to increase engagement and consultation with local businesses and resident.

     “Considering our agreement, we are now seeking an understanding of how the Buddle Findlay letter can be reconciled with our joint statement issued only three days earlier.”

     They also asked for an update on the Golden Mile design and specifically how in-line bus stops would be removed.

     “All participants in the [December 13] meeting acknowledged that the government does not endorse in-line bus stopping,” Brown and Bishop wrote. In-line bus stopping is when buses stop in the lane rather than pulling out of it.

     It is a form of opposition to the cycle ways.

     Whanau replied that there were already five in-line Golden Mile stops and an extra one would be added in the changes, because parts of the Golden Mile were narrow so “options are limited”.

     Her office on Tuesday confirmed that, while the council would “continue to engage and talk with businesses”, there was no room for movement on the design or funding of the Golden Mile.

     The engagement would focus on telling people what was happening rather than seeking feedback – except on ways to minimise disruption with some possible minor tweaks.

     https://archive.li/2UOql#selection-1171.0-1199.70

     The government has not offered any new financial support for the Golden Mile project continuance, if the original plan was adjusted (ending the past governments funding).

     From the Golden Mile to the island to island rail enabled sea ferries – the C of C in action.
     • Muttonbird 1.1.1

       17 October 2024 at 8:46 pm

       Amazing that two senior ministers in this shambles of a government are consumed by the minutiae of bus stop design along Thorndon Quay.
       • tWig 1.1.1.1

         18 October 2024 at 10:54 am

         This is a very useful attack issue, like bike lanes. They are very profitable red herrings for politicos, because everyone has an opinion, often a strong one. It’s usually based on how they personally will be slightly inconvenienced.

         Meanwhile the more critical economic arguments disappear under a pile of horse-shit.
2. weka 2

   17 October 2024 at 8:46 pm

   The Greens' SGM decision is to write to the Speaker to remove Darleen Tana from Parliament.

   Glad that's over and the Greens can get back to fully focussing on useful GP business
   • weka 2.1

     17 October 2024 at 8:50 pm

     reasonable summary here, although the headline is a big misleading (afaik, it's just a formality now).

     https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350455564/greens-vote-kick-darleen-tana-out-parliament-its-not-over-yet
   • SPC 2.2

     17 October 2024 at 9:03 pm

     Over 75% required.

     Delegates were asked if they supported using the law to remove Tana – 88% ‘support wholeheartedly’, 9% were, ‘support with reservations’, and 4% disagreed but would not block.

     Now, the party leaders need to write to Speaker Gerry Brownlee.

     By law they must inform him they reasonably believe that Tana has acted in a way that has distorted and is likely to continue to distort, the proportionality of representation in Parliament …

     In July, Green Party co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson wrote to Tana to inform her that it was their view that her resignation from the party, but not resigning from Parliament, had distorted the proportionality of political party representation.

     https://archive.li/7fylO
     • weka 2.2.1

       17 October 2024 at 9:05 pm

       yep. Don't think there is much surprise there.
     • Bearded Git 2.2.2

       18 October 2024 at 7:52 am

       Under the law Brownlee has no role in judging this. He is only option, when he receives the letter, is to send Tana packing.

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