Major Wellington infrastructure project Let's Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) has been scrapped.
This morning the Government, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council announced they had agreed in principle to dissolve the project.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau said local, regional and central government were in agreement about the way forward for the city.
"It is important to me that we work constructively with the new government to deliver the infrastructure that Wellington desperately needs," she said.
"It is good to have a clear sense of direction from the Government and commitment to investing in the infrastructure for our growing population."
National's 100-day plan had promised to withdraw central government support for the project. ACT was also keen to scrap it.
It comes after Government declined more funding for the Interislander project amid a cost blowout.
This morning's joint statement said delivering a second Mt Victoria tunnel together with an upgrade to the Basin Reserve is a key commitment of the Government. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Chris Bishop said the plan is for central government to fully fund the new tunnel.
"Under the old Let's Get Wellington Moving deal, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council would have been responsible for 40 per cent of the programme investment, which includes the Basin upgrade and new tunnel's construction costs," the statement read.
Bishop said the tunnel would "create exciting opportunities for more urban development and housing, and the government will work with Wellington City Council to explore these opportunities".
Although Whanau expressed she did not support a second Mt Victoria car tunnel, she welcomed the Government's commitment to funding 100 per cent of the costs.
"I am also glad to have found areas of collaboration where we can look to develop a housing and urban growth precinct with the acquisition of land for this development," she said.
"We've agreed that Wellington City Council will take over delivery of the Golden Mile revitalisation project. I believe that by bringing this important project in-house we can ensure it is delivered as cost effectively as possible and we can better engage with local businesses."
The near $8 billion plan would see Lambton Quay completely closed off to private vehicles. (Source: 1News)
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said with the Golden Mile project "we need to ensure efficiencies are made and that the design meets everyone's needs such as better bus routes and access for pedestrians".
Greater Wellington Regional Council chairperson Daran Ponter said: "It is important that we supercharge bus priority routes on our core transport spines and open up a new public transport spine on the Harbour Quays."
Wellington Green MPs react
Wellington's two Green MPs said in a joint statement that public transport and housing must be prioritised from the remnants of the scrapped project.
Julie Anne Genter, who is the Green Party transport spokesperson, said that Wellingtonians should "organise and push the Government into making the right decisions for the future of the city we love".
She said she would push the Government to prioritise public transport over the Basin works and tunnel, which she said would come with huge costs and create disruption without improving traffic flow.
"Adding one extra lane in each direction for about a kilometre won't stop traffic jams at peak time in our city. It just moves the congestion to other parts of the road network."
Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul said that the last thing the city needs is expensive state highway projects.
"All people want is a bus that shows up on time, decent pay for bus drivers, and to move around without having to worry about their safety.
"We have a once in a generation opportunity to address the climate crisis and build the affordable housing we desperately need."
Cycling Action Network responds
Cycling Action Network's national project manager Patrick Morgan said the Government's new transport plans "are a hodgepodge of failed ideas from the 1960s".
"Everyone except the Government knows you simply can't build your way out of congestion," he said.
"An extra car tunnel would attract more traffic, jamming up Wellington streets, and adding pollution, and danger. It's the opposite of what Wellington needs. It's a slap in the face for Wellington voters, who have consistently demanded better public transport, cycling and walking, and affordable housing."
SHARE ME