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    • Trolley decommissioning begins
      • In just a few weeks the last trolley bus will retire, as the era of the Wellington icon comes to an end. Greater Wellington’s Chairperson for the Sustainable Transport Committee, Councillor Barbara Donaldson says she will be sad to see the trolley buses go but she is looking forward to Metlink’s new modern buses providing improved services from mid next year. “The trolley buses have been part of the fabric of Wellington for over sixty years and are as Wellington as the Beehive and Cable Car. It’s going to be sad to not see them travelling our streets anymore but Wellington is growing and Metlink has to grow with it, by creating a new better service for public transport users and investing in the future, not holding onto the past.”  Greater Wellington Regional Council voted in 2014 to stop funding the trolleys as part of a plan to modernise the region’s bus fleet. New diesel and electric buses will begin service in July 2018 – at the same time as new bus operator contracts and an overhauled Wellington city network come into effect. Greater Wellington’s eventual goal is an all-electric fleet. Power to the network will be shut off at the end of services on 31 October (around 11pm). “Wellingtonians should see no change to services as the trolley buses are replaced with diesel buses by November 1. The bus services will continue along the same route as the trolleys on the same timetable,” says Cr Donaldson. “The interim buses are relatively new – between four and eight years old – and most meet the Euro 5 emission standard. The world’s most stringent standard is Euro 6.” For more information, please contact: Clayton Anderson, Council Communications, tel 027 272 1370

    • The first step in dismantling Wellington’s trolley bus wires begins next week
      • The first step in dismantling Wellington’s trolley bus wires begins next week Work will start on a disused section in the city centre on 10 October as part of a 12-month contract to remove 82 kilometres of overhead wires. Work on dismantling the rest of the network will begin on 1 November after power to the trolleys is switched off on 31 October. Greater Wellington Regional Council Chief Executive Greg Campbell says the trolleys have served the city well over the decades, but it’s time to look to new environmentally-friendly technology that can be used throughout the entire city and region. “Next year, the region will get a new fleet of low-emission diesels, as well as 10 electric double-deckers – and in the next few years we’ll add another 22 electric double-deckers. “Over time, more and more electric buses will come into service until we eventually achieve our goal of being the first region in the country to have an all-electric fleet.” Wellington Cable Car Ltd awarded the wire removal contract in May to specialist firm Broadspectrum on behalf of Greater Wellington. Wellington City Council owns Wellington Cable Car Ltd. Greater Wellington and the NZ Transport Agency will share the cost of removal work. Wellington Cable Car Chief Executive Officer Simon Fleisher says the week-long first stage will enable Broadspectrum to fine-tune its equipment, processes and safety procedures before the work begins in earnest. The disused emergency section runs along Featherston Street, Hunter Street, Victoria Street, Jervois Quay, Wakefield Street, lower Taranaki Street and Whitmore Street. “Residents along trolley routes should expect some limited machinery noise, but only for one night because Broadspectrum crews anticipate removing about 200 metres of line each evening. “Residents may also be asked to temporarily park their cars elsewhere so crews can get access to overhead wires and poles. Broadspectrum will do letter drops so there will be plenty of warning, and Broadspectrum will also have information online and through its contact centre. Crews will concentrate on central city areas in January and February before moving outwards to suburban terminals. He says the overhead network should still be regarded as “live” after 31 October, because other factors could result in the wires being electrically dangerous. “All safe distances and overhead restraint requirements should be retained until the network is fully removed.” The overhead network needs to be removed sooner rather than later because it needs regular maintenance, can be a hazard to overheight vehicles, and can complicate other construction and maintenance work in the city centre. Extra buses will cover for the trolleys until the region’s new fleet starts service next July. Mr Campbell says the new fleet will result in an immediate drop in harmful emission levels – 38 per cent in Wellington and 86 per cent in the Hutt Valley, where older buses operate. “Most of the region’s new fleet will meet the Euro VI standard – the most stringent in the world – and this will give us one of the cleanest fleets in the world.” He says bus services will continue as usual along routes once serviced by the trolleys. For more information, please call: Clayton Anderson, Council Communications, tel 027 272 1370  

    • Residents make preferences known on bus hubs
      • Public consultation about where to build new Metlink bus hubs in Kilbirnie and Johnsonville has come out in favour of Evans Bay Parade, Kilbirnie, and Moorefield Road, Johnsonville. In July, Greater Wellington Regional Council sought feedback about three possible hub sites in each of the two suburbs, which are key connectors for the northern and eastern suburbs. About 65 per cent of respondents from eastern suburbs put Evans Bay Parade as their top preference, while about 45 per cent from northern suburbs opted for Moorefield Road as their first choice. About 400 submissions were received, and there were also about 7,500 views of the webpage detailing the options. Greater Wellington’s Sustainable Transport Committee Chair, Cr Barbara Donaldson, says the existing hubs are poorly located and need to go. “Johnsonville’s current hub is in the carpark of a mall that is scheduled for redevelopment, while Kilbirnie’s is spread over four stops and causes congestion as well as offering little space or shelter for waiting passengers. “All six options on the table offered advantages and disadvantages, but submitters have made clear which mix of these they prefer.” Facilities at six other bus hubs across the city will also be upgraded, but their locations will remain unchanged. They are at Wellington Station, the regional hospital in Newtown, Courtenay Place, Miramar, Brooklyn and Karori Tunnel. The total cost of upgrade work is estimated at about $3.5 million.  Relocating some hubs and upgrading others will require new and upgraded shelters, new signage, widened footpaths, new curbing and altered road markings. Some parking spaces will go, but others will be added when disused stops are removed.  Cr Donaldson says the hubs will play a bigger role from next July when major changes to Wellington’s bus network – including more off-peak transfers – take effect. They will also have improved facilities, including more seating, better shelter and lighting, more screens with information on new bus routes and arrival and departure times, and CCTVs. A hub on Evans Bay Parade was especially favoured by those travelling through and/or connecting from Miramar. People getting to work, school or university also liked this option. Many mentioned the current congestion on Rongotai Road. They also signalled that their support assumed there would be better shelter, including over the walk to and from the shopping area in Bay Road. In Johnsonville, most support for Moorefield Road came from regular commuters. Many said they wanted the hub next to the railway station and the community hub. This also avoided congestion on Johnsonville Road. Supporters of Moorefield Road also said their backing depended on installation of adequate shelter at the stops because the location was so exposed to the wind and rain. A joint working group from Greater Wellington and Wellington City Council will oversee design and tendering work. Stakeholders may also get an opportunity, subject to time and budget, to make suggestions about the shelter designs. Work on the hubs will begin early next year.  

    • Residents make preferences known on bus hubs
      • Public consultation about where to build new Metlink bus hubs in Kilbirnie and Johnsonville has come out in favour of Evans Bay Parade, Kilbirnie, and Moorefield Road, Johnsonville. In July, Greater Wellington Regional Council sought feedback about three possible hub sites in each of the two suburbs, which are key connectors for the northern and eastern suburbs. About 65 per cent of respondents from eastern suburbs put Evans Bay Parade as their top preference, while about 45 per cent from northern suburbs opted for Moorefield Road as their first choice. About 400 submissions were received, and there were also about 7,500 views of the webpage detailing the options. Greater Wellington’s Sustainable Transport Committee Chair, Cr Barbara Donaldson, says the existing hubs are poorly located and need to go. “Johnsonville’s current hub is in the carpark of a mall that is scheduled for redevelopment, while Kilbirnie’s is spread over four stops and causes congestion as well as offering little space or shelter for waiting passengers. “All six options on the table offered advantages and disadvantages, but submitters have made clear which mix of these they prefer.” Facilities at six other bus hubs across the city will also be upgraded, but their locations will remain unchanged. They are at Wellington Station, the regional hospital in Newtown, Courtenay Place, Miramar, Brooklyn and Karori Tunnel. The total cost of upgrade work is estimated at about $3.5 million.  Relocating some hubs and upgrading others will require new and upgraded shelters, new signage, widened footpaths, new curbing and altered road markings. Some parking spaces will go, but others will be added when disused stops are removed.  Cr Donaldson says the hubs will play a bigger role from next July when major changes to Wellington’s bus network – including more off-peak transfers – take effect. They will also have improved facilities, including more seating, better shelter and lighting, more screens with information on new bus routes and arrival and departure times, and CCTVs. A hub on Evans Bay Parade was especially favoured by those travelling through and/or connecting from Miramar. People getting to work, school or university also liked this option. Many mentioned the current congestion on Rongotai Road. They also signalled that their support assumed there would be better shelter, including over the walk to and from the shopping area in Bay Road. In Johnsonville, most support for Moorefield Road came from regular commuters. Many said they wanted the hub next to the railway station and the community hub. This also avoided congestion on Johnsonville Road. Supporters of Moorefield Road also said their backing depended on installation of adequate shelter at the stops because the location was so exposed to the wind and rain. A joint working group from Greater Wellington and Wellington City Council will oversee design and tendering work. Stakeholders may also get an opportunity, subject to time and budget, to make suggestions about the shelter designs. Work on the hubs will begin early next year.  

    • Spot the Project Glow Wear People’s Choice Award Winner
      • This year’s winner of the Project Glow Wear People’s Choice Award is Tamsin Robb, whose stunning navy trench coat with reflective spots took out the top award by garnering an impressive 613 ‘likes’ by fans of her design. “Tamsin’s winning coat was a worthy winner and provides a fabulous example of style meeting function. The garment was designed to both look great and improve the visibility of the wearer by illuminating them to other road users in the dark,” says Barbara Donaldson, Greater Wellington Regional Councillor and Chair of the Sustainable Transport Committee. The Project Glow Wear reflective design competition, which is in its second year, takes a creative approach to increasing the visibility of people on foot and bike in low light conditions. The competition challenges designers and everyday creatives to develop clothing and accessories that feature retro-reflective elements that highlight the wearer as they go about their evening and early morning journeys. Melanie Thornton, Greater Wellington Regional Council Manager Sustainable Transport and Project Glow Wear organiser, says the competition aims to increase awareness of the effectiveness of reflective elements in clothing and accessories - particularly when worn on moving parts i.e. arms and legs. “Retro-reflective elements under direct light have an uncanny ability to highlight the human form, but until Project Glow Wear, retail options were largely limited to the classic high-vis vest. We aimed to get people thinking outside this boxy option, and a quick glance through the 2017 entries will show that the many entrants have done just that.” The People’s Choice Award, which carried with it a prize of a $350 Prezzy card sponsored by Greater Wellington Regional Council, was voted on over a two week period via an album of images of all entries entered in the 2017 competition. The album, hosted on the Project Glow Wear Facebook page, showcases the impressive style and innovation of the 143 looks entered in the competition. Many entries gathered a huge number of ‘likes’ from the voting public with hundreds of comments and shares. The album can still be viewed at facebook.com/projectglowwear. Two sold-out runway shows in Wellington and Auckland in August point further to the growing buzz around the competition. Finalists in the competition were showcased along with examples of international reflective fashion from Australia’s Hey Reflect’o and the United States’ Heisel and ICNY Sport. The overall $10,000 prize pool for the competition attracted more than 200 items competing in 13 categories, double the number of entries received when the competition was launched in 2016. Prizes included a $5,000 internship package at Arrow Uniforms, a $500 Levi’s voucher, internship at Mandatory Menswear, a Wacom tablet, a Singer sewing machine, shearing scissors and cash prizes. All New Zealander’s over the age of 15 were invited to enter: designers, home sewers, crafters and students. Each entrant received up to a metre of sew-on or iron-on reflective fabric to get them started on their design. Cr Donaldson says this year’s Project Glow Wear once again delivered on its promise to boldly go where no fashion design competition has gone before by showing that reflective clothing can be both high fashion as well as high impact. “The project team was blown away by the quality, creativity and wearability of entries received this year.” The competition is supported by the transport teams at Greater Wellington Regional Council, Auckland Transport, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council and Upper Hutt City Council alongside NZ Transport Agency,  Levi’s®, Arrow Uniforms, Lux Light Festival, Singer™, Mandatory Menswear, the Wellington Sewing Centre, Oversew Fashion,  Vespertine NYC, Zealandia and Massey University School of Design. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w0o7jxttfxgsp3n/AABRUZWdVW3fpTlFfEcy2SxXa?dl=0       

    • Greater Wellington figures show it sure has rained a lot lately
      • Have you got the feeling the rain never stopped this winter? Well, you’re right and Greater Wellington Regional Council has released the figures to prove it. According to council data, rainfall totals across the Greater Wellington region have been breaking records in many areas between January and August this year. GW’s General Manager Environment Management Group, Nigel Corry, says during winter June was relatively dry but July and August sure made up for it. “Rainfall was actually below average throughout the entire region for June. Paekakariki’s June average was only 5% of normal rainfall. So you can imagine the locals surprise when July rolls around and they then receive than twice as much (220%) average rainfall followed by just over one and half times (162%) above average for August.” Greater Wellington monitors rainfall at over 50 sites across the region. The information collected is vital for flood-warning, water management during drought, and detecting long-term trends in climate. Between January and August, the Kapiti Coast area had received the highest amount of rainfall when compared to the long-term average, with totals of 966mm in Otaki and 1181mm in Waikanae – both being 150% of normal and the second highest totals at each location since 1970. Over the same period, rainfall through Porirua, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and the Ruamahanga Valley, in the Wairarapa, was around 120% to 130% of average. The eastern Wairarapa hill country saw closer to average rainfall totals from January to August. Lower Hutt was another area to receive twice its monthly rainfall in July. “During a storm in the middle of July our flood protection team was nervously watching river levels rises in the Wairarapa and Wainuiomata River. Thankfully the rain eased off before the rivers burst their banks but we had our regional emergency management teams on stand-by ready for the worst,” says Corry. As for the rest of the year? According to NIWA’s seasonal forecast, the same weather patterns that have brought the Wellington region all this wet weather will most likely be sticking around until November. Please see regional rainfall statistics below.   Percentage of normal rainfall                     Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Jan-Aug Plimmerton (Whenua Tapu) 101% 120% 253% 322% 84% 12% 170% 199% 140% Battle Hill 164% 211% 198% 273% 79% 14% 165% 213% 151% Paparangi 119% 102% 176% 262% 59% 55% 169% 154% 127% Tawa 119% 102% 176% 262% 59% 55% 169% 154% 127%                                         Otaki 155% 134% 192% 293% 89% 26% 170% 201% 150% Waikanae 145% 156% 170% 257% 121% 19% 187% 191% 150% Paekakariki 143% 189% 237% 229% 78% 5% 220% 162% 137% Khandallah 112% 170% 183% 283% 67% 60% 161% 140% 138% Karori Res 82% 110% 146% 227% 64% 79% 160% 150% 122% Berhampore 99% 257% 222% 284% 98% 66% 181% 140% 154% Wainuiomata 119% 109% 98% 226% 55% 34% 192% 102% 110% Kaitoke 188% 191% 143% 261% 73% 41% 123% 145% 131% Lower Hutt 129% 113% 158% 279% 52% 17% 203% 143% 127%                     Tinui 94% 217% 73% 344% 114% 46% 97% 48% 110% Te Ore Ore (Masterton) 56% 156% 105% 298% 95% 44% 144% 53% 109% Featherston 78% 232% 129% 262% 81% 43% 137% 108% 127% Martinborough 90% 216% 141% 301% 103% 37% 184% 109% 136% Longbush 84% 172% 74% 267% 85% 33% 183% 88% 117% Waiohine Gorge 110% 232% 92% 237% 86% 44% 128% 127% 137%                                                      

    • Public meetings on proposed transport fare changes begin next week
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council is about to hold eight public meetings throughout the region over the proposed changes to public transport fares. Beginning next Wednesday in Upper Hutt, the public will be able to talk through the proposal with local councillors and public transport officers. Chair of the Sustainable Transport Committee Cr Barbara Donaldson says the Council is almost at the halfway mark for the consultation and submissions are steadily rolling in.  “We’re two weeks in and already the Council has received 120 submissions from the public. Over the next couple of weeks public meetings will be held in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wairarapa and Kapiti. This is a good chance for people to talk to us about the recommendations and feel more informed about the proposals so they can give us their feedback.” The proposed fare discounts mean that bus and train customers travelling at off-peak times will receive a 25 per cent discount, while the blind, disabled and full-time tertiary students will get an all-day 25 per cent discount. A 50 per cent discount will be extended to all schoolchildren, reducing fares for school children travelling shorter distances (1 to 5 zones).   Free bus transfers are also proposed because more passengers will need to switch buses as part of a forthcoming redesign of Wellington city’s bus network.  To help fund these changes Greater Wellington is proposing an overall 3% rise in fares. Other proposals include: • offering more free bus connections to trains • replacing six day passes with a single pass that is zone-based and valid region-wide • bringing ferry fares more into line with bus and train fares • ending school term and 30-day passes, relying on Snapper and free transfers on bus and rail monthly passes and 10-trip tickets • making a boundary change to enable people in Titahi Bay and Porirua East to travel within their suburb and also to reach Porirua’s CBD without crossing into another zone • extending the 25 per cent charge for cash to zone 1 to encourage more electronic payments • amending rail tickets offered on event days. It is planned these proposals will be implemented in mid-2018 with the new bus contracts and new Wellington city bus network. Details for the upcoming public meetings are below: Upper Hutt Wednesday 30 August 6:45PM Wallaceville House, 2 Wallaceville, Road, Upper Hutt Wellington - North/West Thursday 31 August 7:00PM Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Ave, Johnsonville Kapiti Monday 4 September 7:00PM Te Newhanga Kapiti Community Centre, 15 Ngahina Street, Paraparaumu Wellington - South/East Tuesday 5 September 6:30PM Brentwood Hotel, 16 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie Lower Hutt Wednesday 6 September 6:30PM St Mark’s Church, 58 Woburn Road, Lower Hutt Porirua Thursday 7 September 6:45PM Pataka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua Wairarapa Monday 11 September 7.30PM Carterton Events Centre, 50 Holloway Street, Carterton Wellington Central Tuesday 12 September 12:00PM St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington CBD  

    • Pollen’s not pollution – it’s Spring doing its thing
      • Reports are already coming into Greater Wellington Regional Council of signs of yellow powder or paint residue lining streams and puddles and coating people’s cars, all of which are deposits of pollen and signs that hay fever season is about to start. “People mistakenly think pollen deposits are pollution and report them to our Pollution Hotline.  We don’t mind because it shows people care about their environment and have a sharp eye for pollution and we want to hear from people when they think there might be a problem.” says the council’s Manager Environment Regulation Alistair Cross. The yellow sludge found on water surfaces or lining shores are also signs that pollen is being spread by wind. Wind pollination is used by many plants in New Zealand including pines and most grasses, both of which routinely trigger hay fever. They produce enormous quantities of light, dry pollen grains that are carried on Wellington’s boisterous spring winds. Only a small amount of this pollen hits the spot on plants. The majority goes to waste and this is what can be seen forming clumps and foamy slime around water or the fine yellow dust you might be seeing on your clean car or laundry.  It can be alarming but it’s perfectly normal. If people suspect polution they should call Greater Wellington Regional Council's Hotline on 0800 496 734. it's a confidential 24-hour service. Contact details wil be requested so that staff can gather more information if needed.  

    • Regional council votes to permanently chlorinate Lower Hutt drinking Water
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council has approved the permanent chlorination of Lower Hutt’s drinking water. The Council voted in favour of a recommendation from Wellington Water, which has completed an investigation into the contamination of water supplied from the Waiwhetu Aquifer. Wellington Water has completed multiple reviews, technical assessments, analysed incident reports, and sought advice from local health authorities and independent international experts about the change in water quality detected since September 2016. The most significant change is three detections of E.coli between December 2016 and April 2017. The outcomes of these investigations were considered by the GWRC today. Greater Wellington Chair Clr Chris Laidlaw says technical experts have provided a solid picture of the environmental and physical factors that could be influencing the aquifer, but there is no clear evidence of a single cause. Therefore decisive action is required. “This is a complex area of study in an aquifer that is yet to be fully explored, and it’s shown us there are no quick fixes to the issue of contamination. We can’t take chances when it comes to protecting public health, and that means continuing to chlorinate drinking water from the Waterloo Treatment Plant.” Wellington Water’s review of the source of the changes at Waiwhetu Aquifer considered a broad range of scenarios, including the ‘shaking effects’ of the Kaikoura earthquake, pathways into the aquifer via well-casings, and leaking stormwater and wastewater pipes.  Although these scenarios are considered unlikely to be the cause of the changes, they cannot be completely ruled out. “We will continue to investigate the aquifer through a longer term study. This will improve our understanding, and ensure we have the right planning controls in place to protect the aquifer,” says Clr Laidlaw.    Wellington Water took action to continue to provide safe and healthy drinking water to Hutt City customers in April 2017. The decision to continuously chlorinate the water supplied by the Waterloo Water Treatment Plant was taken as a precautionary measure in April in response to positive E. coli test results and a concerning increase in total coliforms. Around the same time, a decision was also taken to install ultra-violet (UV) water treatment units to provide further protection against potentially harmful organisms in water supply. Wellington Water made these decisions in collaboration with GWRC and Hutt City Council, as well as Hutt Valley District Health Board’s Regional Public Health while investigations were completed. Non-chlorinated drinking water will be available from fountains in Buick St and Dowse Square Lower Hutt. Drinking water at these fountains is now subject to filtration and UV treatment. Regional Public Health support the addition of UV treatment to the Buick Street and Dowse Square bores as a way of managing potential public health risk. Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says no chances should ever be taken when it comes to drinking water quality. “No one wants a repeat of the Havelock North experience. Public safety has always been our number one priority, and we must continue to listen to the experts who tell us that a combination of chlorination and UV treatment for our network is the best long-term approach. “It’s fantastic that we’re also able to offer an unchlorinated solution in Lower Hutt for those that prefer it at the Buick Street and Dowse Square fountains. These fountains are now both open and treated with a UV filter and filtration. At the flow-rate of water from the fountains, the UV and filtration provides effective barriers against possible contaminants and means the water complies with the Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand. “While it is sad that this has happened and investigations have not found a single root cause, it is something we must accept and I am confident that the best possible solution has been found for our city.” Background information The Waiwhetu Aquifer can supply up to 70 per cent of the Wellington region’s drinking water. Since September 2016 bacterial indicators in the aquifer have been recorded at concerning levels. In response, Wellington Water introduced additional safety barriers and monitoring for Lower Hutt’s water supply to safeguard against bacteria, viruses, or protozoa (such as cryptosporidium and giardia). Wellington Water sought advice from independent experts on the results of investigations into the aquifer. The experts have advised that relying on the aquifer’s natural filtration processes is unlikely to be sufficient to manage potential public health risk. The public health risks associated with an outbreak of waterborne bacteria have been well demonstrated in Havelock North. As agreed with Regional Public Health, Lower Hutt’s water supply was continuously chlorinated from April to ensure that the risk of potentially harmful organisms in water supply could be appropriately managed. Wellington Water took all practical steps to continue to provide safe and healthy drinking water to Hutt City customers who received unchlorinated water prior to April 2017. As well as continuous chlorination, ultra-violet (UV) water treatment units will be installed at the Waterloo Water Treatment Plant. This will provide further protection against potentially harmful organisms in water supply.  Wellington Water made these decisions in collaboration with Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council, as well as Hutt Valley District Health Board’s Regional Public Health, whilst investigations were completed. The Waterloo Treatment Plant commenced operating in 1981. It supplies drinking water to around 155,000 customers in Wellington and the Hutt City every day. Prior to April 2017, the drinking water for around 74,000 customers in Lower Hutt was sourced through the Waterloo Treatment Plant directly from eight bores connected to the Waiwhetu Aquifer, and was subject to minimal water treatment processes. Wellington Water supplies an average of about 140 million litres of water every day for Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua, and Wellington. With the exception of the 74,000 Lower Hutt customers, drinking water supplied to the rest of Hutt City, Wellington City, Porirua, and Upper Hutt has been chlorinated since 1981. Chlorine is highly effective at killing harmful bacteria that may exist in the water or in the water supply pipes. It is added to safeguard the water from bacteria, and to ensure the water supplied from the Waterloo Treatment Plant complies with the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand. Local authorities have certain obligations under the Health Act regarding the supply of safe drinking water – GWRC are the designated water supplier, and Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt, and Wellington city councils own the local distribution networks. Wellington Water works on behalf of all five councils, to manage and monitor the region’s drinking water supply.  Regional Public Health provides oversight and approval of the work of the councils to maintain a safe water supply that meets New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. Full information is available on the Wellington Water website: www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/waiwhetu-aquifer/    

    • Wellington will get significantly warmer, new climate change report shows
      • Wellington city will have warmer autumns, almost a month of days over 25°C and up to 10 per cent more winter rain by 2090, according to a new NIWA climate report. The Climate Change Report for Wellington Region has just been released that shows specific weather changes for the capital, Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa for the first time. One of the most startling projections shows an increase for Wellington city from six hot days (over 25°C) a year now to 26 days by 2090. In the Wairarapa, that figure goes from 24 days now, to  94 in just over 70 years. Te report highlights significant impacts and implications with more floods and droughts, and increasing coastal inundation and coastal erosion due to sea level rise. Other report findings on the future of the Wellington region’s climate include: Autumn is the season likely to warm the most Annual temperatures will increase by 1°C by 2040 and up to 3°C by 2090 Frosts in the high elevations of the Tararua Ranges likely to disappear Spring rainfall will reduce by up to 15%  in eastern areas by 2090 Up to 15% more winter rainfall along the west coast by 2090 The risk of drought will increase significantly in the Wairarapa More extreme rainfall events The report was written for the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) by a team at NIWA led by climate scientist Petra Pearce. She says the climate is warming with New Zealand warming about 1°C since 1909 with more heat waves, fewer frosts, more rain and in the south and west, less in the north and east and rise in sea level of about 1.7mm per year since the 1900s. “The Wellington region is likely to warm significantly in the future. This has a number of implications and opportunities including the possibility of growing different crops, an increase in droughts that may limit pasture production and crop growth and pressure going on water supply,” Ms Pearce said. The report takes into account inherent uncertainty in climate projections due to likely fluctuations in future greenhouse gas emissions. It also outlines a number of implications and opportunities for New Zealand including: Sowing crops earlier in the growing season and seeing them mature faster due to higher temperatures ‘Sleeper’ pests affecting primary industries due to changes in the climate Increased susceptibility of cattle to heat stress “This report is the latest in a series of reports commissioned by regional councils. It contains high resolution climate change projection maps which will be useful for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s decision making and communication with stakeholders about the potential future impacts of climate change,” Ms Pearce said. GWRC chairman Chris Laidlaw says the council has a strategy in place to ensure it is doing everything it can to future proof the region’s communities and infrastructure. “The reality of climate change is taken into account in every decision taken by council. The information in this NIWA report is key to understanding the magnitude of the changes.”| Mr Laidlaw said the worst impact of climate change can be avoided but only if communities around the world act to reduce their emissions. “Our strategy contains a number of specific actions that will ensure our organisation reduces its own emissions – and to influence the transition to a low carbon economy around the region.”

    • Greater Wellington proposes better Metlink fares
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council is seeking public feedback on a proposal for fare concessions and changes aimed at encouraging off-peak public transport use, helping disadvantaged groups and paving the way for improvements to the city’s bus network. It is proposed bus and train customers travelling at off-peak times will receive a 25 per cent discount, while the blind, disabled and full-time tertiary students will get an all-day 25 per cent discount. The 25% discount will apply when you use a Snapper card or rail 10-trip ticket, which is equivalent to about a 50% discount on cash. A 50 per cent discount will be extended to all schoolchildren whether using a Snapper card or cash, making fares cheaper for shorter distance travel. Free bus transfers are also proposed because more passengers will need to switch buses as part of a forthcoming redesign of Wellington city’s bus network. This will provide significant benefit for all bus passengers. The proposals are the result of a review of Metlink fares, and will go out for public comment from 14 August until 18 September. Greater Wellington Chair Chris Laidlaw says a 3 per cent general fare rise is also proposed – the first since 2013 – to pay for part of the fare changes. “We expect the increase to cover about a third of the cost of the concessions, or $2.5 million. The remaining 5 million would need to come from regional rates and a subsidy from the New Zealand Transport Agency. We expect the package to boost passenger numbers by about 4 per cent, which equates to an extra 1.5 million trips a year. The off-peak concession alone should account for half of the increase.” Other proposals include:  offering more free bus connections to trains when using a monthly pass replacing six day passes with a new Metlink Explorer day pass. The pass will allow one child to travel free when accompanied by an adult bringing ferry fares more into line with bus and train fares ending school term and 30-day passes, relying on Snapper and free transfers on bus. And for rail, school children will need to use rail monthly passes and 10-trip tickets making a boundary change to enable people in Titahi Bay and Porirua East to travel within their suburb and also to reach Porirua’s CBD without crossing into another zone applying a 25 per cent premium for all cash fares. Most adult cash fare, including the zone 1 fares will increase by 50 cents amending rail tickets offered on event days. The timing for these changes has not yet been finalised. Some changes such as the free bus transfers need to be in place in time for the new bus network. Other changes may need to be phased in to manage transition. In July next year, new operators Tranzit and Uzabus will begin running new fleets alongside NZ Bus and Mana on the region’s roads. Snapper will also become the smartcard used on all buses in the region. Greater Wellington’s Sustainable Transport Committee will consider the proposal at a meeting on 8 August. After a public hearing in mid-October and evaluation of feedback, the proposal will go to a full council meeting. Barbara Donaldson, Chair of the Sustainable Transport Committee says: “I encourage Wellingtonians to have their say on this proposal when it goes out for public consultation. We are the biggest users of public transport in the country so it’s important if you use it and you pay for it, you should tell us what you think.” Approval of the package will require an amendment to the Wellington Regional Public Transport Plan 2014. For more details, go to the "Better Fares" document. <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz  - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz  - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Ends Web: wremo.nz getprepared.nz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WREMOnz New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Ends Web: wremo.nz getprepared.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WREMOnz  

    • Satisfaction Steady with Wellington Public Transport
      • An annual customer satisfaction survey of public transport in the Wellington region shows satisfaction on par with last year’s survey at 92%. Barbara Donaldson, Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, says over 3,800 customers were surveyed and the results showcase Wellington’s Metlink public transport network is continuing to achieve a very high standard of service. “There are always areas that require an ongoing focus and that’s why public feedback is important to us. We will continually strive to provide the region’s commuters the best public transport network in the country and, particularly this coming year, people are going to notice some great changes.” Key results from the survey show: Overall satisfaction with the current trip remained stable and on par with the previous survey at 92%, with the ferry services enjoying a slight increase (+2) to 99%. Bus 92% (down 2%) Train 93% (steady 0%) Harbour ferry 99% (up 2%) Personal security during the trip: Bus 95% (steady 0%) Train 96% (steady 0%) Harbour ferry 99% (down 1%) Other key results included: 89% (steady 0%) saying they were satisfied with the attitude of the driver or staff 80% (up 3%) of rail passengers feel they have enough seats available 87% (down 2%) Would recommend Metlink Services to others In another survey in May, 450 customers were asked what they thought of Metlink’s website with most features rating 4 out of 5 for ease of use. Councillor Donaldson says customers gave some really useful feedback. “Thanks to public input, in the next few weeks there will be changes in the website’s journey planner and a new “Locate” option to allow customers to track their bus on a map. "We now have over 25,000 people signed up with a My Metlink account and over 10,500 Twitter uses. With the stormy winter Wellington’s been having, signing up or following us is useful for receiving notifications and alerts on services when there’s a weather event, road closure or breakdown.” To create a Metlink account, please go to metlink.org.nz/my-metlink or you can follow us at @metlinkwgtn. You can read a summary of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Public Transport Satisfaction Survey. The full report and infographic will be loaded on the Metlink website soon. <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz  - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz  - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Ends Web: wremo.nz getprepared.nz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WREMOnz New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Ends Web: wremo.nz getprepared.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WREMOnz  

    • New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis
      • Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office.   “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Join WREMO on Facebook.   <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz  - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz  - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Ends Web: wremo.nz getprepared.nz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WREMOnz New websites to help communities before, during, and after a crisis Two new websites, developed by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), were launched this week. One helps people find out what’s happening in their communities during and after an emergency. The other helps people prepare before the big one hits. The two new websites provide reliable information for people across the region. Wremo.nz - provides local information when an emergency happens and is also the corporate site for WREMO. Getprepared.nz - contains everything people across our region need to get prepared before any emergency occurs. “The two new websites, along with our Facebook page, are our key communications channels for the people of our region. During an emergency we need people to quickly understand what is happening in their area and how it might affect them, so they can make the best decisions for them and their families,” says Bruce Pepperell Regional Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. “Working with local councils’ communications people, we know that if an earthquake, tsunami or any other emergency happens, the new WREMO website can be updated quickly and easily. This will be a reliable source of information giving people of the region more certainty about what they need to do”. "People need specific, targeted and correct information they can follow. We need people to follow official warnings, and it’s imperative they use a credible source for disaster information. These new websites, along with our Facebook page, are those credible sources,” says Mr Pepperell. “Plus by having information to help people get prepared separated from operational information, means we can best meet the needs of both types of users. It gives us flexibility and our region certainty.” Following extensive feedback after November’s earthquake, the need to provide localised information became a key priority for WREMO. Last Novembers’ event saw an increase of 76.9% new users come to WREMO’s website for information, particularly to find tsunami evacuation zone information. Over 160,000 people accessed WREMO’s emergency information within the first hour of the 14 November earthquake. By making these two websites mobile friendly means clear information gets out to where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Ends Web: wremo.nz getprepared.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WREMOnz  

    • Have your say on Wellington Riding for the Disabled developments in Battle Hill Farm Forest Park
      • The Wellington Group of Riding for Disabled (WRDA) has applied to Greater Wellington Regional Council for a lease to develop a covered arena and other facilities at Abbots Field near the park’s Paekakariki Hill Road entrance. Under its application, the WRDA would make Battle Hill its permanent, long term home, comprising the covered arena including covered yards and a tack room, offices, training room, storage, volunteer kitchen and lounge area and toilets. To achieve its long term ambition for a covered riding arena that provides all weather operations in comfort, the WRDA is seeking a thirty five year lease term for an area at the northern end of Abbots Field. The long duration lease would enable the WRDA to continue to provide a safe, sustainable and high-quality therapeutic riding service based on interaction with horses. This would give children and adults with physical, emotional and social challenges the opportunity to develop increased ability, independence and self-esteem    The WRDA, which provides services for riders from Wellington to Porirua, currently operates out of temporary uncovered facilities in a paddock near the park’s entrance. Greater Wellington Regional Council has set up a Have Your Say page on its website where people can make submissions on the proposal until Friday 1 September. There is more information on the proposal on the site and copies are available at Battle Hill Farm Forest Park homestead office, or GWRC, Shed 39, Fryatt Quay, Wellington.  For more information on the proposal contact Donna Kennedy at wellingtonrda@xtra.co.nz or visit www.wellingtonrda.org.nz  

    • Celebrating Robin Maud’s contribution to the Hutt River Trail
      • One of the key figures behind the development of the Hutt River Trail has been recognised by the planting of Totara trees in the newly established Robin Maud Memorial Grove in the Taita-Pomare reach of the Hutt River. The planting ceremony also commemorated 25 years since the opening of the trail, which now attracts more than 1 million visits a year and is our most popular regional “park.” “Robin’s contribution to the trail’s success has been enormous, not least because when he gazed over the waters of the Hutt River a quarter of a century ago he saw much more than most people” says Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Clr Chris Laidlaw. “What he saw was a vision of a linear park which would integrate the river into a planted and restored river corridor: a place that would offer peace, tranquillity and opportunities for exercise and recreation in a lovely natural setting. “Robin was the driving force behind many developments, ranging from small details through to wider planning and policy, not just on the Trail but also0 in the sider river corridor.” The ceremony was attended by Carol Maud and members of Robin’s family. It also marks the first stage of the development of Taita Park, which will be planted and landscaped to enhance the biodiversity and habitat of the river corridor, encourage connections between neighbouring communities and the river and provide spaces for recreation along the river. ENDS                        

    • Keeping regional property owners up-to-date with flooding risks
      • People buying, building or developing property need to know beforehand whether it is prone to flooding, and that’s what they can discover if they use Greater Wellington Regional Council’s just released online Flood Hazard Mapping tool. Its interactive mapping and updated flood maps mean homeowners, renters, property developers, lawyers and anyone else interested in property can quickly look up a regional address and get an indication of the impacts flooding may have for individual properties. “It’s easy to use, easy to understand, easily available and free,” says Greater Wellington Regional Council Flood Manager Graeme Campbell. The Flood Hazard Mapping tool, as well as general flood hazard maps for rivers and schemes across our region, brings flood depth information together in one convenient online place. “This is great news for people involved in property. By showing the flood risk for individual properties it provides facts people need when considering purchasing or development. It helps people to invest with their eyes wide open,” says Mr Campbell. Information in this tool is not intended to replace a LIM report for individual properties. People are encouraged to request further information about individual properties so they can better understand how any possible flood hazard may affect their properties. To see thew flood mapping too, go to: http://mapping.gw.govt.nz/GW/Floods/                      

    • Funding for replacement traction poles a big win for Wellington rail commuters
      • Nearly $100 million has been allocated to Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail to replace 1274 wooden traction poles which, without replacement, would lead to significant service disruption on Wellington’s Metro Line Network. Today’s budget announcement of $98.4 million in funding will enable the replacement of all timber poles in the network and renewal of overhead lines at the same time, within four years. The poles support the overhead wires which deliver power to the trains. “This is great news for the region’s train users,” says Cllr Barbara Donaldson, chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Regional Transport Committee. “It means there will be no service disruptions as the poles deteriorate, instead there will be a proactive and comprehensive replacement programme. “It is a big win for the region’s rail network and another step in raising the quality of our services to the public. “Funding pole replacement is essential for safe operation on the rail network. Without it we could have faced the prospect of having to close routes within four years as they continue to deteriorate. This investment is vital for the resilience of our regional rail network and will also improve day-to-day reliability. ” KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy says the Wellington funding is a welcome acknowledgment of the importance of rail in New Zealand. “Our infrastructure teams work incredibly hard to keep the system running smoothly but today’s announcement will allow the completion of a major upgrade of the Capital’s network. There’s a lot of work ahead, but our people are excited about the challenge.” Planning and procurement will now begin to ensure the last of the poles are replaced before they fail. Background on timber traction pole replacement In establishing the Metropolitan Rail Operating Model in 2011 the Crown retained ownership of the traction poles on the Wellington rail network.  While Crown investment has funded the replacement of a number of the wooden traction poles, many remain and are at the end of their life meaning safe and reliable performance cannot be guaranteed. The timber traction poles are coming to the end of their life increasing the risk of failure and serious safety incidents. The absence of a funded programme to replace the timber poles is likely to require the closure of all Wellington Metro Rail Network routes equipped with these poles by 2021, or earlier. While the great majority of affected poles are located on the Upper Hutt and Melling routes, all Wellington Metro Rail Network electrified lines still utilise timber traction poles. KiwiRail is using best practice inspection techniques and individual pole replacement to control the safety risk resulting from catastrophic pole failure and minimise service disruption resulting from unexpected failure. However, there are limits to the effectiveness of this approach: The inspection techniques are not reliable enough to detect all poles before they fail. As the number of poles approaching failure increases, the chances of an undetected failure also increases The risk of undetected pole failures presents a significant safety risk to rail passengers, the public and railway staff. Since 2007 there have been 13 incidents where deteriorated poles has been undetected and poles have failed in service. The worst incidents have involved trains colliding with the failed traction poles. The rate at which poles require replacement will increase to the point that ad hoc replacement becomes unmanageable; disruptive, inefficient and expensive. Failures of the traction system can cause significant disruption to the travelling public across both rail and road transport modes, as both are required to meet the peak time capacity demands. An economic study into the impacts of the railway between Wellington and Petone being closed for six days due to storm damage indicated the costs to the economy were between $12M and $43M. Severe congestion also resulted on the road network as the only other viable mode of travel was by private vehicle. Based on an assessment of pole condition and the impact of these consequences, KiwiRail and independent technical assessments state that these poles must be replaced in the next 3 to 5 years (completion by 2021 at the latest). The recommended option was: Face Renewal (all timber poles in the network replaced and overhead lines renewed at the same time) – which addresses the primary issue, which is to replace the timber traction poles within four years (by 2021) which is an acceptable timeframe. The investment cost for this option is $98.4 million.

    • Hearings on the proposed Natural Resources Plan to begin
      • The final stage of debate on a new framework for protecting the region’s natural resources began today (Monday 22 May) in Masterton, with public hearings before commissioners on Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Proposed Natural Resources Plan. The plan brings together five existing regional plans (Regional Coastal Plan, Regional Air Quality Management Plan, Regional Freshwater Plan, Regional Plan for Discharges to Land and Regional Soil Plan) and sets out the principles, rules and guidelines into one document for activities with the potential for adverse environmental effects. “It’s a very significant day for the region,” says Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Chris Laidlaw. “We’re beginning the final stage of debate and, in the process, hopefully getting nearer to reaching agreement with stakeholders and community on how to best manage our natural resources.” The hearings will be the culmination of a four year process of intensive engagement. Following extensive publicity on the plan Greater Wellington called for submissions, receiving a total of 526 addressing 14,500 points. “Commitment to the process by individuals and organisations all around the region has been exceptional, and the quality of the input has been high. We would like to thank the community for getting involved in what is a far reaching plan that will help us protect our natural resources for years to come. It provides the essential baselines for positive environmental stewardship,” says Cllr Laidlaw. The hearings enable  people and organisations that have previously submitted their views to discuss these with the panel and are divided into six streams: Stream One – overall policy framework for the proposed plan, beneficial use and development, and areas and sites with significant mana whenua values Stream Two – air quality management, land use in riparian margins and stock access to water bodies, and soil conservation Stream Three – water allocation, wetlands and biodiversity, and natural form and function Stream Four – water quality and stormwater Stream Five – beds of lakes and rivers, discharges to land and contaminated land, and hazardous substances Stream Six – coast, natural hazards, and significant historic heritage values “The first hearing is all about the foundations, or building blocks, for the whole plan,” says Cllr Laidlaw. “After that we start to get into the detail on the separate elements.” Each stream allows approximately two weeks to  hear submissions, and the hearings process will go through to early next year. The hearings panel will deliberate as it goes, with final decisions due by 31 July 2018. “That’s not the end of the process,” says Cllr Laidlaw. “We still have the whaitua sections to complete and any section can be appealed through to the Environment Court. But we believe we’ve listened to the community and created a better plan, one that’s been road-tested since 2015 to find out what works and what doesn’t. “It’s not about a dusty document telling you what you can’t do; it’s essentially a permissive approach that focuses on what people can do without needing consent. And where consent is required it’s about understanding the effects of activities on our natural environment and what thresholds we’ve all agreed to live with.”   About the Proposed Natural Resources Plan The Natural Resources Plan for the Wellington Region (the Plan) is produced by the Wellington Regional Council (the Council) in accordance with the Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA). It sets out the objectives, policies and methods for people and organisations that use the region’s resources for a variety of purposes. It is a mix of regulatory bottom lines and non-regulatory interventions designed to underpin the basic objective of protecting our natural capital The Plan has been developed in collaboration with the communities that make up the Wellington Region and have taken account of economic, spiritual, cultural and environmental interests in the region’s air, land, water and coastal resources. The development of the Plan is based on an ongoing programme of engagement with stakeholders, mana whenua and the community around the review of the five existing regional plans (Regional Coastal Plan, Regional Air Quality Management Plan, Regional Freshwater Plan, Regional Plan for Discharges to Land and Regional Soil Plan). Many people living and working within the region have made individual and collective efforts to protect and enhance the natural resources within the region. Examples include: reducing the use of open fires in urban communities; protecting habitat for native animals; and fencing waterways on farms. This plan will assist people in the region to take the next steps protecting the region’s natural capital. The key natural resource management issues identified across the region relate to the: quality of fresh water in both urban and rural areas allocation and efficient use of water, including groundwater; state of the coastal environment, particularly the impacts that land-use and degraded fresh water systems have on coastal and estuarine ecosystemmanagement of natural hazards, including earthquakes, flooding hazard and coastal erosion.  Other natural resource management considerations such as soil conservation, air quality, heritage protection and managing sites of significance are also addressed in the Plan.  

    • Winners of Movin’March 2017
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council ran the sixth annual Movin’March promotion this year. Movin’March is designed to encourage families to walk or wheel (WOW) to school as often as possible and to celebrate those families who already do. 70 schools with a combined total of over 18,000 students across the Wellington region took part in 2017, which is the highest number so far. Schools were sent posters and incentives to promote walking, cycling, scooting and skateboarding to school. The Movin’March website contains activities and lesson plans for schools to use in the classroom. Competitions for students, parents and schools help to motivate active travel choices and six bikes were given away across the Wellington region. March 31 was a dedicated ‘WOW your family to school day’ to encourage families to try walking or wheeling to school if they don’t usually. Some schools provided breakfast, a coffee cart and events like parades or bush walks to reward families who gave it a go. Research shows travelling to school in active way has health benefits for students and can increase concentration levels in class. Many students agree that walking or wheeling to school with family and friends is more fun than going in the car, and less traffic around the school gate makes it safer for all students. St Anthony’s School in Seatoun had eight three percent of their students participate in Movin’March which made them the top participating school in the region for the second year running. Bike prize winners from around the region have been receiving their prizes this week. Lyric Clifton-Sinclair (right) from St Teresa’s School in Featherston accepted her brand new bike and helmet with Holly Hullena from the Wairarapa Road Safety Council.   Neeve Campbell (below) from Normandale School picked up her brand new bike and helmet from On yer Bike – Avanti Plus in Wellington the day after her tenth birthday.   Six year old Isaac Goodwin (right) from Clyde Quay School was very excited to pick up his new bike prize from Nigel at On yer Bike – Avanti Plus.

    • Brand new buses headed for Wellington
      • A fleet of new, modern, more environmentally friendly buses will be hitting the roads in mid-2018 following a competitive tender for bus services in the Wellington region. Local, family-owned Masterton-based Tranzit Group Ltd is the preferred bidder for eight contracts and Uzabus which is based in Palmerston North, is the preferred partner for the bus contract in Kapiti. GWRC Chair Chris Laidlaw says the decision is great news for Wellingtonians with significant benefits for ratepayers, taxpayers and bus users. “We’re excited at the prospect of working with Tranzit Group and UZABus to bring a modern bus service to the region and its people. Both are locally-owned family businesses with over 160 years’ of combined experience in delivering quality services to passengers and drivers,” Cr Laidlaw says. Cr Laidlaw said Tranzit had given Councillors a commitment to employ as many bus drivers as possible from the region’s existing workforce. Tranzit Managing Director Paul Snelgrove says the company will hire another 380 drivers, with as many as possible coming from the Metlink system. Tranzit would also build 228 new buses, “with as many built by the Kiwi Bus Builders team as it can handle.” UZABus managing director Justin Allan says “the company is delighted to be confirmed as the preferred bidder for the Kapiti Coast area and looks forward to helping the regional council to modernise the bus network.” Both companies will deliver a new, more environmentally friendly bus fleet that will improve air quality across the region and reduce emissions of harmful pollutants by at least 38 percent in Wellington and 84 percent in the Hutt Valley. Cr Laidlaw said we are likely to see the introduction of electric buses to Wellington city, further improving environmental benefits. The outcome of the tender is expected to reduce operating costs by several million dollars a year, paving the way for new public transport initiatives such as fare discounts. Cr Laidlaw acknowledged that today’s decision would be disappointing for those companies that were unsuccessful but today’s decision would start to provide certainty. “We’d like to thank everyone who bid and to remind people that we will still be working closely with our other incumbent providers, who will continue to make up over 30 percent of the market.” The announcement of the preferred partners for these nine contracts is another step in the long-term transformation of the region’s public transportation system. “Over the next year, we will be announcing new routes, measures to reduce congestion and how we’re making the passenger experience more seamless.” Timetables remain the same for now, with new buses and routes scheduled to be introduced in mid-2018. Ends Nick Robinson: 021 083 32955   GWRC Public Transport plan – background information Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) is actively implementing its strategy to improve public transport for the 500,000 Wellington residents who make approximately 36 million journeys by bus, rail or ferry each year. The bus tender process has shown the efficacy of the Government’s Public Transport Operating Model. There were several objectives for the process, including promoting competition and growing confidence that services are provided efficiently. We received 86 tenders from nine tenderers (including several international operators), resulting in a competitive process that provided the best outcomes for ratepayers. This decision is one of the first steps in a five-year plan to provide an integrated public transport network that users find simple, connected and consistent. GWRC consulted communities in 2012 and 2014 about improvements to the current bus network. After receiving over 6,000 submissions, it found the current network has overlapping, low-frequency bus routes with few weekend and evening services. This resulted in an overhaul of the network design to reduce duplication and congestion and increase the frequency of services, with changes to be implemented by mid-2018. By the middle of next year, Wellingtonians can look forward to a bus network that provides more services for more people. The fleet provided by the two preferred tenderers (Tranzit Group and UZABus) will be 100% new, wheelchair-accessible buses. Those that travel down the ‘Golden Mile’ on Lambton Quay will have the chance to ride on new double-decker buses, introduced by the Council in a bid to reduce congestion and improve travel times. There will be one, integrated ticket system on buses to help get people where they want to go at the times they want to travel. The tender process is another step in achieving GWRC’s plans to build a public transport network that is easier, faster and safer.   Frequently Asked Questions Who are the preferred tenderers? The tender process identified Tranzit Group Ltd as the preferred bidder for eight contracts in the Wellington region, and UZABus as preferred bidder for a contract to deliver bus services on the Kapiti Coast. Both companies are locally-owned, family businesses with a proven record of running public transport. Tranzit Group was founded in 1924 and is a fourth-generation transport and tourism company operating over 1000 vehicles and employing a team of over 1000 nationwide and already runs GWRC’s Wairarapa services. UZABus is based in Palmerston North and was established in 1948. It already runs GWRC’s Otaki service and also delivers services to the Bay of Plenty and Horizons Regional Councils. UZABus has an existing fleet of 280 buses. What will be the market share of each provider, when the process is complete? Once negotiation is complete, Tranzit will hold 60% of the market and UZABus will hold 6%. The remaining market share will be held by the incumbent providers, NZ Bus (28%) and Mana (6%).  What was the criteria for the tender process? Tenders were assessed on a combination of price and quality. The process considered many aspects of the service, including track record, employee welfare, customer service performance and the emissions profile of the fleets offered by tenderers. The outcome will deliver value for money for ratepayers, taxpayers and fare payers. How many tenders were received? Greater Wellington Regional Council received 86 bids from nine tenderers, including several international operators. It was a highly competitive and robust process. GWRC believes it is important to promote competition in public transport, which leads to value for money outcomes for ratepayers and taxpayers. We are pleased with the outcomes that we have secured for ratepayers and look forward to negotiating with the preferred tenderers. Who ran the tendering process? The GWRC ran a rigorous, international best-practice tender process, involving both internal and external advisors. The process was developed with assistance from the New Zealand Transport Agency and a range of appropriately qualified and experienced external advisors including: Deloitte – financial and commercial DLA Piper – legal Robert Buchanan – probity Emission Impossible – vehicle emissions. Membership of the Tender Evaluation Team was carefully selected to provide a balance of independence, critical thinking, subject matter expertise, internal knowledge and external viewpoints. This was an incredibly complex tender process, involving 86 separate bids from 9 tenderers, including international suppliers. Council was briefed and consulted through a series of workshops, committee and Council meetings throughout the procurement and RFT development process. Is it likely bus drivers will lose their jobs because of this tender process? The preferred bidders have given a commitment to employ as many bus drivers as possible from the region’s existing workforce, which means working with other incumbent operators who did not win contracts in the tender process. Will these buses reduce emissions of harmful pollutants? Both preferred tenderers have committed to supplying all routes with brand new buses, fitted with the latest technology to reduce harmful pollutants. This technology will significantly reduce emissions of the most harmful diesel pollutants NOx and PM10. There will be a 38% reduction in harmful pollutants in Wellington city and an 84% reduction in the Hutt Valley when compared against the existing fleet operating in these areas. How does this decision benefit public transport users? This is the first stage in a five year plan to build a public transport network that is simple, connected and easy to use for users. While this decision doesn’t change anything for users heading home on public transport tonight, by mid-2018 Wellingtonians can look forward to a network that provides more services for more people. We expect these providers to have a fleet of entirely new buses that will all be wheelchair accessible. There will be one integrated ticket system on buses and we plan to introduce double decker buses to cut down on congestion on high-frequency routes, such as the Golden Mile down Lambton Quay.  How does this decision relate to the future of Trolley buses in Wellington? The decommissioning of the trolley buses is a separate process that will be completed in October this year. Development and testing continues by NZ Bus on the development of a plug-in range extended electric bus that will re-use and refurbish the trolley bus fleet. GWRC and NZ Bus have detailed transition plans in place to ensure that bus services continue to run during the transition from trolley buses to the new converted fleet, which may require the use of diesel buses until the conversion programme is complete. How many EuroV  and EuroV1 buses? The Preferred Tender Outcome will bring 228 new EuroV1 buses and 220 EuroV buses to the routes covered by the tender. We do not yet know what the makeup of the fleet will be for the remaining Direct Appointed Units, but per the rules of our procurement, at least half of these must be EuroV or better.  

    • Chlorination of Lower Hutt's water supply to continue
      • The recent chlorination of Lower Hutt’s water supply is to continue while investigations into the source of recent positive E.coli test results are underway. A sample from a bore in the Waterloo wellfield returned a positive E.coli result on 12 April 2017. This was the third positive E.coli result in five months from water sourced from the Waiwhetu Aquifer. This, plus recent water quality testing across the aquifer showing an increasing amount of bacteria activity, has led to the decision to keep chlorinating the Lower Hutt water supply network while investigations are ongoing. The public fountains at Buick Street (Petone) and Dowse Square (central Lower Hutt) have been closed as a precautionary measure because they can’t be chlorinated. Chris Laidlaw, Chair, Greater Wellington Regional Council said “The safety of our drinking water quality has not been compromised. We immediately chlorinated Lower Hutt’s water supply in response to the recent positive E.coli test and we’ll continue to chlorinate while we investigate the source of these positive results”. Dr Stephen Palmer, Medical Officer of Health at Regional Public Health said “In accordance with the Drinking Water Standards, Regional Public Health is notified of all events such as positive E. coli test results. We continue to work closely with Wellington Water and Hutt City Council to ensure the public health risk is properly managed”. Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace said “There is no issue more important than the safety of our drinking water. We know many residents really value access to unchlorinated aquifer water but public safety will always be our number one priority and this means we will continue to chlorinate the water as a precautionary measure until we know more following the investigation”. Mark Kinvig, Acting Chief Executive, Wellington Water said “The cause of the positive E.coli result and increased bacterial activity isn’t known at this stage and it may be related to the November 2016 earthquake. We’re carrying out investigations into the source but this is expected to take many months to complete”. Additional information: Wellington Water delivers around 140 million litres of safe drinking water to the people of metropolitan Wellington every day A routine water quality test on water from a bore in the Waterloo wellfield (Lower Hutt) returned a positive E.coli result on Wednesday 12 April 2017. Other recent positive E.coli results were on 4 February 2017 and 2 December 2016. Chlorination of the water network in Lower Hutt was immediately initiated after each positive result About 70,000 customers in the Lower Hutt usually receive unchlorinated water supply. Residents of Wainuiomata, Stokes Valley and Manor Park already receive chlorinated water Wellington Water has a rigorous and thorough testing programme to ensure water is safe to drink Metropolitan Wellington’s water comes from an aquifer, rivers, and, in times of shortage, storage lakes. Water from the rivers and lakes is chlorinated before delivery. Water from the aquifer usually isn’t chlorinated The addition of chlorine to the water as a precaution against contamination means that the water doesn’t need to be boiled before drinking ENDS For media comment: Hutt City Council, 027 403 5348 More information - frequently asked questions on the chlorination of Lower Hutt’s water supply   1. If the recent water quality tests come back clear, why are you still chlorinating? We are seeing a trend of increased bacteria activity in the aquifer which, together with the recent positive E.coli indicator test, we are treating as a signal for further investigation. We’re exercising a high level of precaution and are continuing to chlorinate the water we take from the aquifer while further evidence is gathered around why this is happening. Public safety is our number one priority which means we have to chlorinate as a precaution.   2. What do the health authorities say? Wellington Water is working closely with Regional Public Health. Regional Public Health is satisfied with the measures put in place to ensure the water is safe and advise that there is no need to boil it before drinking.   3. What is the history of positive E.coli test results in comparison to this year? In the last five months, we’ve had three positive E.coli results in Lower Hutt. These are indicator tests and are a sign that further testing is needed. In all three cases, further tests came back negative. However, most importantly, two of these recent positive results have come from the water source, not in the distribution network. Before December 2016, we hadn’t ever had a positive E.coli result from the aquifer source. More specifically, there is also an increasing number of Total Coliforms (indicator bacteria) being found in the source water. This is an indication that something has changed within the aquifer and further investigation is needed. Last five months: 12 April 2017 – positive E.coli test from Mahoe St bore. All further tests have been clear, chlorination remains in place. Bore taken out of service. 4 February 2017 – positive E.coli test from Naenae Reservoir. All further tests were clear, chlorination remained in place for three days of clear testing. 2 December 2016 – positive E.coli test from Colin St bore. All further tests were clear, chlorination remained in place for three days of clear testing. Bore remains out of service.   4. How long will the aquifer water be chlorinated for? This depends on the results of Wellington Water’s investigations. These investigations are expected to take a number of months to complete and the water sourced from the aquifer will remain chlorinated during this time.   5. Why did you close the public fountains at Buick Street (Petone) and Dowse Square (central Lower Hutt)? When will they be open again? Public safety is our number one priority. We are seeing a trend of increasing bacteria activity across the aquifer which, together with the recent positive E.coli indicator test, we are treating as a signal for further investigation. We’re exercising a high level of precaution and have closed the public fountains as they can’t be chlorinated. They will remain closed while Wellington Water investigates, this is likely to take a number of months to complete.   6. Why didn’t you shut the public fountains the first two times E.coli was found? Only recently has the number of Total Coliforms found in the aquifer water been increasing. This, plus the third positive E.coli result in five months, led to the decision to keep chlorinating the Lower Hutt water supply network and to close the public fountains.   7. I haven’t been feeling well for the past few days, could this positive E.coli result be the reason? No. Your tap water has been and remains safe to drink. If you have any health concerns please see your doctor or contact Healthline (0800 611 116).   8. Is the water safe to drink for children and the elderly? Yes, the tap water has been and remains safe to drink. If you have any health concerns please see your doctor or contact Healthline (0800 611 116).   9. Why can’t the public fountains be reopened with a warning that this water should be boiled before drinking? Public safety is our number one priority. As a precaution, the public fountains were closed as they can’t be chlorinated. As part of their investigations, Wellington Water will be looking at non‐chemical treatment options that will allow the public fountains to be reopened.   10. What are the investigations that Wellington Water is carrying out? The investigations will be looking at a number of different aspects of the aquifer and the wellfield system.   11. When will the results of these investigations be known? It may take a number of months before the results of these investigations become known. Updates will be available on Wellington Water’s and Hutt City Council’s websites.   12. How likely is it that the aquifer water will be permanently chlorinated? A decision on the permanent chlorination of Lower Hutt’s aquifer water has yet to be made. This decision depends on the result of Wellington Water’s investigations and further discussions between Regional Public Health, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hutt City Council and Wellington Water.   13. The earthquake was in November 2016, why have you waited until now (five months later) to decide the aquifer needs to be investigated? Wellington Water has been carrying investigations into the aquifer since the earthquake. These investigations will take a number of months to complete.   14. How will you keep us updated on the situation? Wellington Water and Hutt City Council will be updating their websites and Facebook pages on a regular basis.   15. Is this related to the November 2016 earthquake? It may be as the recent positive E.coli results and the increasing bacterial activity in the aquifer water started after the earthquake. Wellington Water will be looking into this as part of their investigations.   16. Is this related to farming? No, the aquifer is located below an urban area.   17. Is there any place in Lower Hutt to get access to unchlorinated water now? No. If your water has a chlorine taste, try putting the water in a container or jug in the fridge (this helps the chlorine dissipate from the water). Boiling the water also helps take the chlorine taste out of the water.   18. Can people still drink water taken from the public artesian wells before it was closed? Yes. Other water quality tests taken at the same time and since the positive E.coli test result have been negative. The public fountains have been closed as a precaution as they can’t be chlorinated.   19. What if I have drunk water from the fountain recently? Water quality tests at other locations taken at the same time as the positive E.coli test (and since) have been negative. The public fountains have been closed as a precaution as they can’t be chlorinated. If you have any health concerns please see your doctor or contact Healthline (0800 611 116).   20. What role will central Government have in this? Wellington Water is working closely with Regional Public Health. Regional Public Health is satisfied with the measures put in place to ensure the water is safe and advise that there is no need to boil it before drinking.   21. Is this issue similar to the water quality incident in Havelock North last year? No. Havelock North had a number of unwell residents (that was traced to the water supply) while we have none. The elevated bacterial level in our aquifer water is an indicator that we need to investigate and we are taking a precautionary approach by chlorinating the water supply.   22. Now that chlorine has been added to our water supply, will fluoride be added to the water supplied to Petone and Korokoro? Our focus is on investigating the positive E.coli test results and the increased bacterial activity in the source water. There are no plans to change the current fluoride status in Petone and Korokoro.   23. Who is responsible for the water network? Each city council owns their respective reticulation network (i.e. Hutt City Council owns the reticulation network in Lower Hutt). Greater Wellington Regional Council owns the bulk water network and is responsible for the consents to take water from the Waiwhetu Aquifer. Wellington Water manages the entire water network on behalf of its five council owners (Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council and Upper Hutt City Council).   24. Is this just a ploy to permanently chlorinate the water because it’s easier to do? No. A decision on the permanent chlorination of Lower Hutt’s aquifer water has yet to be made. This decision depends on the result of Wellington Water’s investigations and further discussions between Regional Public Health, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hutt City Council and Wellington Water.

    • Regional deluge from ex-cyclone Debbie
      • Rain gauges operated by Greater Wellington detail the extent that rainfall brought by the ex-cyclone Debbie had over the region. 1 in 20 year rainfall for south Wellington Porirua and Hutt cities were hit with very intense rainfall over night on 5th April. Berhampore was inundated with 75mm of rain over just a six hour period and 94mm over 12 hours. The average rainfall for April is around 90mm. This was very intense rainfall and is estimated to be in excess of a 1 in 20-year return period. Just over the hill from this rain gauge, the Owhiro Stream raged and caused flooding problems. In other parts of the city rainfall totals over 12 hours of 64mm at Hataitai, 74mm at Te Papa, 66mm at Khandallah, 61mm at Karori Reservoir and 91mm at Woodridge were recorded. Many urban streams were flowing high and surface flooding occurred in numerous places. The peak flow in the Porirua Stream reached a level expected once every year. 1 in 10 year rainfall for Masterton Rainfall started in the Wairarapa and eastern hills on Monday 3rd April and persisted for three days. While no really intense downpours occurred the total rainfall over the 3 day period has been significant with Masterton receiving 136mm which is twice the average expected for the entire month of April. This is estimated to be a 1 in 10-year rainfall event for the town. Elsewhere in the Wairarapa rainfall totals of 167mm, 147mm and 111mm where recorded over the three days at Tanawa Hut (north of Tinui), Mauriceville (north of Masterton) and Tauherenikau (Featherston). The Ruamahanga River peaked at 6.45am on the morning of 6th April with an estimated flow rate of 1000 cubic metres per second going under the Waihenga/Martinborough Bridge and through the Jenkins Dip floodway. A flood flow of this magnitude is expected to occur once in every two years. The Tararua Range has not received heavy rainfall during the event so the Ruamahanga River has been spared any additional flood runoff adding to the already high flows. The rainfall over the Wairarapa area will be welcome to many farmers and land owners with farm dams filling up and the rainfall deficit being erased or at least decreased.

    • Wairarapa people to get stronger voice on regional council issues
      • Greater Wellington Regional Councillors voted to establish a pilot Wairarapa Committee at their council meeting today (5 April). The Local Government Commission recommended that GWRC form a Wairarapa Committee to focus on the regional council’s work in Wairarapa as part of its proposal for a combined Wairarapa District Council. GWRC Chair Chris Laidlaw said a pilot Wairarapa Committee will bring a more focussed local dimension to complement the work the regional council already does with Wairarapa communities. “I’ve agreed with the three Wairarapa councils that we should set up a pilot version of the committee in anticipation of the decisions on amalgamation later on this year.” “We work with communities in Wairarapa to protect their homes, farms and businesses from flooding. We’re working with farmers to stabilise erosion prone land, and with the community to improve water quality in streams and rivers that feed the Ruamahanga River. We take advice on rural matters from a Farming Reference Group, made up mainly of Wairarapa farmers.” The Wairarapa Committee will be made up of councillors from Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils, one member from both Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa and three regional councillors. GWRC Wairarapa Councillor Adrienne Staples will chair the new committee.  Cr Staples welcomed the formation of the new committee noting the importance of bringing a strong Wairarapa perspective to the council table.  “The committee will give Wairarapa people a stronger voice on regional council issues that affect them.  This was a key reason that sparked the reorganisation debate in the first place.” Meetings will be held in Wairarapa, initially quarterly, with additional meetings if required. All meetings will be advertised and open to the public. Current local government rules mean Wairarapa’s population only allows one councillor on the regional council.

    • Regional council takes first steps on living wage - important questions remain
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council has voted to introduce the Living Wage for council staff, making it one of the first Living Wage Councils in New Zealand. The move is expected to cost the council around $10,000 per year in additional wage and salary payments and will benefit approximately 10 employees who currently earn below the Living Wage. “This is a cautious first step as it applies the living wage only to direct council employees”, says GWRC chair Chris Laidlaw. “In principle we support the Living Wage campaign because we know there are many hard-working people in greater Wellington who struggle to make ends meet. However, there are still many important questions to be answered before the Council can consider extending the Living Wage to include the employees of its contractors, such as cleaners and caterers. “At the recent mayoral forum I asked Local Government New Zealand to seek, on behalf of the local government sector, a legal opinion on whether and in what circumstances the living wage can be paid by a local authority. “The issues involved extend well beyond what we as a council can achieve on our own. As a sector, we need legal clarity in which to apply the living wage with no dispute about the legitimacy of its introduction by councils who wish to do so,” says Cr Laidlaw. Meanwhile, as part of Wednesday's vote, GWRC has instructed its officers to consider how the living wage can be factored into its procurement process. The council sees it as one of a set of criteria to be applied to its purchasing decisions alongside other important criteria such as good environmental practice. The council also voted to encourage council controlled organisations to become living wage employers, when GWRC and other living wage councils make up 51 percent of the shareholding. The council asked for advice on applying the living wage to CentrePort Ltd, which is 76.9 percent owned by GWRC. Cr Laidlaw adds that before voting for the motion on introducing the living wage the council sought the views of a range of stakeholders. “To be honest the feedback has been mixed. While nearly everyone we spoke to understands the struggles those earning the minimum wage face some questioned why ratepayers should have to foot the bill when this appears to be a problem that central government should be stepping in to help solve. "We look forward to continuing the engagement with Living Wage Aotearoa, local and central government, our many contractors and of course our ratepayers. This is a complex issue and today’s vote is only the start of the discussion on the Living Wage and the types issues it is intended to address.

    • Lights go up on reflective design competition
      • As the lights go down on daylight savings, the headlights go up on Project Glow Wear – the reflective design competition all about illuminating people on foot and bike. Back after a glowing inaugural competition in 2016 – the competition challenges designers and creatives to enter every day to avant-garde clothing and accessories – with a twist – all entries must include retro-reflective elements that highlight the wearer as they go about their evening and early morning journeys. Barbara Donaldson, Greater Wellington Regional Councillor and Chair of the Sustainable Transport Committee says this year’s Project Glow Wear promises to once again boldly go where no fashion design competition has gone before by showing that reflective clothing can be high fashion as well as high impact. A $10,000 prize pool is sure to attract bright sparks and with 13 categories, there are many opportunities to win. Up for grabs are a $500 Levi’s voucher, internship at Mandatory Menswear, a Wacom tablet, a Singer sewing machine, shearing scissors, cash prizes and more. The pièce de résistance is the Arrow Award where the winning entry will be manufactured by the winning designer during a two month paid internship. All New Zealander’s over the age of 15 are invited to enter: designers, home sewers, crafters and students. A Young Designer award will attract a healthy contingent of entrants from across the country. The competition also aims to increase awareness of the effectiveness of reflective elements in clothing and accessories to increasing the visibility of people walking, running or cycling in the hours between dusk and dawn – particularly when placed on moving parts. And with daylight savings coming to an end – now is the perfect time to think about adding a reflective piece to your wardrobe. Interested shoppers can check out the Project Glow Wear website for a list of retailers offering a wide range of reflective options for any evening-time traveller. The fashion world is beginning to embrace the possibilities of retro-reflective as an untapped element to incorporate into all types of clothing and accessories. Project Glow Wear’s Pinterest page contains a plethora of reflective inspiration on this front. The transport teams at Greater Wellington Regional Council, Auckland Transport, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council and Upper Hutt City Council are behind the competition alongside Levi’s®, Arrow Uniforms, Lux Light Festival, Singer™, Mandatory Menswear, the Wellington Sewing Centre, Oversew Fashion,  Vespertine NYC and Massey University School of Design. The project team were blown away by the quality, creativity and wearability of entries received last year. Highlights included a hot pink PVC jacket with reflective frilling and in-built rear-facing lights, trousers with reflective hems & pocket detailing, an elegant soft yellow cape with reflective detailing and a swathe of innovative accessories for all purposes. “We hope that the calibre of entries will make judging this year’s entries just as difficult”, says Melanie Thornton, Project Glow Wear organiser and GWRC Manager Sustainable Transport. Finalists will be shown, and winners announced, at a spectacular Awards Night Runway show in Wellington in August, followed by a repeat of the runway show in Auckland.   To register see www.projectglowwear.com. Entrants have the option to receive up to a metre of sew-on or iron-on reflective fabric to get them started on their design.  For more details contact Vanessa Rushton 022 643 2890 About the design competition This is the second annual Project Glow Wear reflective design competition. The competition is free to enter. See photos of 2016 finalists at the runway show: www.projectglowwear.com and www.facebook.com/ProjectGlowWear Project Glow Wear 2017 awards are for garments and accessories in the following categories: Luminance, Streetwear, Menswear, Best Upcycled, Fabric Innovation, Young Designer (15 to 18 years). People’s Choice and Commercial Viability. Each entry will be judged according to specific criteria for each award alongside the following general criteria: ●     Reflectivity: Effective use of reflective materials ●     Creativity: Innovative and original design ●     Quality: Cut and finish, quality of sewing ●     Wearability: Ease & simplicity of wear and movement

    • OECD environment report reinforces opportunities
      • An OECD report on New Zealand’s environmental performance reinforces the need for regional councils to work with communities on managing freshwater says Chris Laidlaw, Greater Wellington Regional Council chair. “The OECD report recommends involving people who use and value freshwater in discussions around allocating this precious resource and improving water quality where needed. “It lays bare the hard truth that economic expansion and environmental restoration are difficult to reconcile. “The OECD calls on the government to increase financial support and capacity for regional councils to enable them to deliver better results, particularly on freshwater management. We need that help and we need more clarity from the government on this, says Cr Laidlaw. “Our whole approach to improving water quality in this region has been built around community aspirations and the methods and rules that are being developed are designed to deliver real impacts in water quality, availability and use.” Councillor Laidlaw says GWRC recognised the need to for this approach when it began the review of its Natural Resources Plan in 2010. “Without buy-in from all the interests in local communities it is very hard to get lasting agreements on how to manage freshwater issues, says Cr Laidlaw. “It’s also fundamentally important to understand that the quality of water in streams and rivers is not just the result of farming practices. Urban contamination is also a major contributor and the programmes of action will be a mix of urban and rural actions. “We’re currently working with communities in Wairarapa and around Porirua Harbour to make informed decisions about managing land and freshwater for future generations. We will begin the same conversation with communities in the Hutt Valley and Wellington later in the year.” GWRC’s Proposed Natural Resources Plan will be heard by an independent panel from May this year before being formally adopted. Public hearings will be held in Kapiti, Wellington and Wairarapa. “We’ve spent five years working jointly with iwi in the region to consult stakeholders and develop a plan that will serve the region’s environment and its people.” Media contact 021 914 266.  

    • Post-earthquake Wellington needs public input
      • There is no such thing as business as usual in Wellington following the November earthquake, says Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Chris Laidlaw. “The earthquake has forced us to re-think our vulnerability and big questions remain for the region about how we can get through the next shake, storm or flood. We want to address some of those questions with the public through consultation on our Annual Plan, which starts now. “It covers Issues such as how to ensure our key flood protection, water supply and transport assets are resilient in the face of damage from natural events, and how to minimise the cost to ratepayers of making essential investments in the region that will protect us in the future. We are also talking to the government about a collaborative approach to immediate priorities. “The fact is we’ve been shaken out of the lifestyle we’ve taken for granted. The extent of the damage to the city and beyond has gradually unfolded and the bill is growing,” says Chris Laidlaw. Businesses have closed or been disrupted and the lives of some people continue to be significantly affected. Councillor Laidlaw says the public can no longer afford to be apathetic about local and regional issues. Few people turn out for local body elections, fewer still participate in consultation. Many people don’t seem to care, but that has to change and now is the time. “More than ever we need to hear the public’s voice as we start the process of rebuilding and strengthening our region. The decisions we make today – both at local and regional levels - will directly affect the shape of Wellington and help us manage the impact of another significant shake, flood or storm.” Consultation on Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Annual Plan 2017/2018 opens today. “It focuses on strengthening the Wellington region’s ability to cope with natural hazards, while providing a quality natural environment and an improved public transport system. It’s a step towards responding to adversity. And by keeping the rates increase to 5.6 per cent and public transport fares unchanged, we’re trying to take pressure off the regional community,” says Chris Laidlaw. GWRC has four priorities for 2017/2018: Investing in resilient regional infrastructure Making sure we can cope in emergencies Growing public transport patronage Keeping our environment clean The regional council is proposing a rates increase of 5.6 percent, down from 9.3 percent proposed in the 10 Year Plan 2015-25. The 5.6 percent increase equates to $28 for an average household, or 54 cents per week.  Councillor Laidlaw says much of the increase is made up of committed projects that the regional community has already strongly supported. This includes the council’s continuing programme of investment in regional transport infrastructure.  “We were already working on improving the region’s ability to respond to natural hazards. We are bringing some of that work forward, such as improving flood protection for the most at-risk communities.” “More than ever, the public needs to get involved. We need to build a consensus around the way forward. This is the people’s region and their place and we want it to be one that serves the community well and will endure.” Greater Wellington Regional Councillors approved the consultation document at its 2 March meeting, with public consultation set to begin on 16 March.

    • Wellington region is far better with Wairarapa in it, plain and simple
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council welcomes the decision by the Local Government Commission to propose a new sub-regional committee for the Wairarapa. “This is what Greater Wellington has been recommending and I’m very pleased to see it in the mix,” says Chris Laidlaw, Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair. “Local Government rules mean Wairarapa’s population only allows one councillor on the regional council, which frustrates everyone. We’re delighted the commission has addressed this.” Councillor Laidlaw said a pilot Wairarapa Committee will bring a more focussed local dimension to complement the work the regional council already does with Wairarapa communities. “I’ve agreed with the three councils that we should set up a pilot version of the committee in anticipation of the decisions on amalgamation later on this year.” “We work with communities in Wairarapa to protect their homes, farms and businesses from flooding. We’re working with farmers to stabilise erosion prone land, and with the community to improve water quality in streams and rivers that feed the Ruamahanga River. We take advice on rural matters from a Farming Reference Group, made up mainly of Wairarapa farmers.” The first meeting of the new Greater Wellington Wairarapa Committee could be as early as August this year. Regional Councillor for Wairarapa Adrienne Staples also welcomed the recommendation, noting the importance of bringing a strong Wairarapa perspective to the council table.  “The committee will give Wairarapa people a stronger voice on regional council issues that affect them.  This was a key reason that sparked the reorganisation debate in the first place.” The new committee will be comprised of Wairarapa councillors from MDC, CDC and SWDC and one member from both Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa. Meetings will be held in Wairarapa, initially quarterly, with additional meetings if required. All meetings will be advertised and open to the public. Cr Laidlaw says Wairarapa makes up three quarters the land in Wellington region, with a strong farming economy and great lifestyle options that complement the cities and towns west of the ranges. “Wellington region is far better with Wairarapa in it, plain and simple.” Media contact 021 914 266

    • Green Flag flying over Kaitoke Regional Park
      • Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Kaitoke Regional Park has, for the second time, been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award.  Parks Portfolio leader Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Prue Lamason said she was thrilled by the award. “Kaitoke is a fabulous park that is becoming more and more popular with visitors, both from the region and overseas. It’s very well managed and the rangers do a great job in keeping it in good order while acting as hosts for the many people who visit. Kaitoke Regional Parkwas one of 22 parks and green spaces that have been awarded the coveted international Green Flag Award across Australia and New Zealand. The Award is the international mark of a quality park or green space, judged by green space-expert volunteers, across eight criteria including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, community involvement and providing a warm welcome. In total this year, 16 parks in New Zealand and six in Australia have made the grade to be awarded a Green Flag. “Kaitoke meets the needs of visitors by providing high standard open spaces as well as showcasing points of particular interests such as Rivendell and our great camping area near the river,” says Cllr Lamason. The Green Flag Award scheme is being piloted in Australia and New Zealand by the New Zealand Recreation Association. The scheme was launched in 1996 and is managed in England by Keep Britain Tidy, now flags fly over 1,700 sites across the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Andrew Leslie, CEO of New Zealand Recreation Association said: “We know the significant contribution that public parks make to healthy lifestyles. If we want liveable cities and thriving communities, then we need to invest in these public spaces and ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to quality parks and green spaces.” International Green Flag Award Scheme manager, Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating winners in Australia and New Zealand, doubling the numbers of flags now flying here. We are also delighted to working with the New Zealand Recreation Association. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of both staff and volunteers, whose energy, dedication and enthusiasm helps to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. When you visit a park and see the Green Flag flying, you know you are in one of the very best green space.”

    • GWRC focuses on building a more resilient region
      • Strengthening the Wellington region’s ability to cope with natural hazards, while providing a quality natural environment and an improved public transport system, were top of mind when councillors met today to discuss the public consultation around the Annual Plan 2017/2018. Greater Wellington Regional Councillors approved the consultation document at their March 2 meeting, with public consultation set to begin on March 16. GWRC has four priorities for 2017/2018:  Investing in resilient regional infrastructure Making sure we can cope in emergencies Growing public transport patronage Keeping our environment clean GWRC chairman Chris Laidlaw says the Kaikoura Earthquake in November brought improving the region’s resilience more sharply into focus and the council is responding to that. “We were already working on improving the region’s ability to respond to natural hazards. “We are bringing some off that work forward, such as improving flood protection for the most at-risk communities.” The regional council is proposing a rates increase of 5.6 percent, down from 9.3 percent proposed in the 10 Year Plan 2015-25. The 5.6 percent increase equates to $28 for an average household, or 54 cents per week. Councillor Laidlaw says much of the increase is made up of committed projects that the regional community has already strongly supported. This includes the council’s continuing programme of investment in regional transport infrastructure. “We want people to have their say. This is your region and your place and we want it to be one that serves you well.” Consultation on GWRC’s Annual Plan begins on March 16 and runs until April 12.  

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